Echographic technique-based method and apparatus to detect structure and anomalies of the subsoil and/or sea bottom and the like

An echographic system comprising:

• a transmitter for emitting acoustic waves for high-resolution seismic prospecting;
• and
• a receiver, located at a predetermined distance away from said transmitter, for receiving reflected acoustic waves emitted by said transmitter, including:
• a metal body defining an inner hollow chamber and an open base, said hollow chamber having a round paraboloidal reflective surface with an associated axis and a focus,
• an elastic diaphragm, mounted on said metal body, for closing said open base,
• an electrically insulating liquid in said hollow chamber,
• a single ceramic piezoelectric detector mounted within said hollow chamber, and
• a head, mounted on said metal body, for adjusting said piezoelectric detector to a plurality of positions including said focus of said reflective surface and at least one position spaced from said focus to focalize the reflected acoustic waves on said piezoelectric detector.

An echographic method for prospecting the earth including subsoil and sea bottom, comprising the steps of:

• providing an acoustic transmitter;
• providing a receiver at a predetermined distance away from said acoustic transmitter, said receiver having a metal body defining an inner hollow chamber and an open base, said hollow chamber having a round paraboloidal reflective surface with an associated axis and a focus;
• closing said open base with an elastic diaphragm;
• filling said hollow chamber with an electrically insulating liquid;
• mounting a single ceramic piezoelectric detector within said hollow chamber;
• mounting a head on said metal body;
• and
• using said head to adjust said piezoelectric detector to a plurality of positions including said focus of said reflective surface and at least one position spaced from said focus to focalize the reflected acoustic waves on said piezoelectric detector.