Internal air release control apparatus air gun
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsEarnest R. Harrison, Roy C. Johnston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a seismic source device, known in the industry as an air gun, having shuttle control for allowing a predetermined discharge of compressed air into water for purposes of seismic exploration. The shuttle is controlled by valve means for closing the exhaust ports before all of the compressed air in the firing chamber of the air gun is exhausted. By preventing further discharge of air, with little or no loss in acoustic output, secondary pulses are greatly reduced, thereby enhancing the operation of the entire system. Further by preventing all the air in the firing chamber from being discharged, the system becomes more efficient and more cost effective.
Claims15
A seismic energy source apparatus having a housing defining at least one exhaust port and an inner chamber for storing compressed air and containing a shuttle having first and second pistons disposed generally parallel to each other at opposite ends of a shaft with an orifice therethrough, having a first air supply means for providing compressed air to the chamber and having a second air supply means controlled by acutating means for supplying air pressure under the first piston to cause the shuttle to move upwardly, comprising:
- (a) seating means disposed within the chamber against which the first piston seats;
- (b) resilient seating means disposed within the chamber against which the second piston seats at one end;
- and
- (c) a valve positioned within the chamber having a valve head and a valve stem, the head seating against the resilient means at the other end when actuated by the shuttle moving upwardly, and the stem passing through an aperture in the bottom of the housing.
A seismic energy source apparatus having a housing defining at least one exhaust port and an inner chamber for storing compressed air and containing a shuttle having first and second pistons disposed generally parallel to each other at opposite ends of a shaft with an orifice therethrough, having a first air supply means for providing compressed air to the chamber and having second air supply means controlled by actuating means for supplying air pressure under the first piston to cause the shuttle to move upwardly, comprising:
- (a) first seating means disposed within the chamber against which the first piston seats;
- (b) resilient seating means disposed within the chamber against which the second piston seats at one end;
- (c) second seating means positioned below the resilient seating means;
- and
- (d) a valve positioned in the inner chamber having a valve head and a valve stem, the stem passing through an aperture at the bottom of the housing whereby it is subjected to ambient hydrostatic pressure, the head being formed to seat on the second seating means after the shuttle moves upwardly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.