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US 5,978,316 AGranted
Marine seismic source
AssigneeWestern Atlas International, Inc.
InventorsLoran D. Ambs, John J. Sallas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seismic acoustic signal source includes a hull that has a wetted surface in contact with a body of water. When underway, the draft of the hull is substantially zero. An acoustic signal generator is provided with a linear actuator that is resiliently mounted in the hull. The linear actuator is acoustically coupled to the hull bottom such that when the signal generator is activated, the hull radiates an acoustic wavefield into the water.
Claims11
A seismic acoustic source for use in a body of water, comprising in combination:
- a marine surface support vehicle including a hull having a wetted surface, wherein said surface support vehicle is characterized by substantially zero draft when underway;
- an acoustic signal generator, including a reaction mass, compliantly coupled acoustically to said hull;
- and
- means for triggering said acoustic signal generator to execute an operating cycle, thereby to cause the entire wetted surface of said hull to radiate a wavefield into the water relative to said reaction mass so as to insonify geologic formations underlying the water during execution of said operating cycle.
1 more element
A seismic acoustic source for use in a body of water, comprising in combination:
- a marine surface support vehicle including a hull having an interior, the hull including a wetted-surface portion, the support vehicle being characterized by substantially zero draft when underway;
- an acoustic signal generator mounted inside the hull, the acoustic signal generator including a reaction mass, compliantly coupled acoustically to said hull;
- and
- means for triggering said acoustic signal generator to execute an operating cycle, thereby to cause the entire wetted-surface portion of said hull to radiate a wavefield into the water relative to said reaction mass so as to insonify the subsurface during execution of said operating cycle.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.