Weight-drop seismic exploration system
AssigneeGeosource Inc.
InventorsTawassul A. Khan, David F. Kratochvil
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of seismic exploration and a system which provides the capability for increasing the number of depth points from which seismic data are acquired are disclosed. This increase in data is realized without increasing the number of recording channels or the number of geophone stations employed in the system. A higher common depth point multiplicity is achieved by separating energy sources in relation to geophone stations. The recording system is capable of automatically sorting out the data from different energy sources and storing it in different blocks of a memory. Since substantially all available recording time is fully utilized by using energy sources to their optimum efficiency, higher common-depth-point multiplicity can be achieved with minimum field costs.
Claims20
A method of seismic exploration comprising the steps of:
- establishing a plurality of source units at locations of the earth's surface, each said source unit including weight-drop apparatus and a sequencer for controlling the dropping of said weight;
- transmitting a starting signal to each said source unit to synchronize said sources;
- and
- using the sequencers to sequentially activate each source unit to drop its weight by programming each sequencer with the number of source units in the system, the sequential number of that source unit, and the record interval length, generating a first sequence clock signal subsequent to the receipt and decoding of the starting signal, and using the first sequence clock signal to generate a drop command in the source unit which is first in the sequential drop order, said sequential activation beginning subsequent to the receipt of the starting signal at the first source unit and continuing at substantially equally spaced time intervals thereafter, the time intervals between activations being substantially equal to the record interval time.
A method of seismic exploration comprising the steps of:
- establishing a plurality of source units at locations on the earth's surface, each said souce unit including apparatus for inputting seismic energy into the earth and a sequencer for controlling the activation of said source;
- transmitting a starting signal to each said source unit to synchronize said sources;
- and
- using the sequencers to sequentially activate each source of seismic energy by programming each sequencer with the number of source units in the system, the sequential number of that source unit, and the record interval time, generating a first sequence clock signal subsequent to the decoding of the starting signal, and using the first sequence clock signal to generate an activation command in the source unit which is first in the sequential activation order, said sequential activation beginning subsequent to the receipt of the starting signal at the first source unit and continuing at substantially equally spaced time intervals thereafter, said time intervals between activations being substantially equal to the record interval time.
Apparatus for use in a seismic exploration system, comprising:
- a plurality of source units which are located at spaced intervals along the earth's surface;
- means for transmitting a starting signal to each source unit;
- and
- a sequencer in each source unit which decodes the starting signal and which generates sequential activation commands at substantially equally spaced time intervals after the starting signal, said time intervals being substantially equal to the record interval time.
Apparatus for use in a seismic exploration system, comprising:
- a plurality of source units which are located at spaced intervals along the earth's surface;
- means for transmitting a starting signal to each source unit;
- and
- a sequencer in each source unit which decodes the starting signal and which generates sequential activation commands at substantially equally spaced intervals after the starting signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.