System for imparting compressional and shear waves into the earth
AssigneeIndustrial Vehicles International, Inc.
InventorsJames M. Bird, James M. Bird, Jr., Elmo W. Christensen, Michael G. Grady
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Abstract
A seismic vibrator system for imparting compressional and shear wave vibrations into the earth has an earth contacting base with a vertical post. A tubular hub is slidably received on the post in a piston/cylinder relationship. Spaced apart horizontal top and bottom plates are secured to the hub. A mass is slidably supported between the plates. Pistons interconnect the hub and the mass. Hydraulic energy is used to reciprocate the mass vertically on the post and horizontally between the plates.
Claims22
A vibrator for imparting compressional and shear waves into the earth comprising:
- an earth engaging baseplate;
- a post uprightly extending from said baseplate;
- a tubular hub slidably received on said post;
- a mass laterally translatably supported to said hub;
- a first translation assembly that, when activated, imparts reciprocatable vertical movement of said mass relative to said hub;
- and
- a second translation assembly that, when activated, imparts reciprocal lateral movement of said mass relative to said hub.
A system for imparting compressional and shear waves into the earth comprising:
- an earth engaging baseplate;
- a post fixedly supported vertically uprightly from said base;
- a mass vertically reciprocally supported by said post;
- first independently operable means to vertically reciprocate said mass relative to said post to impart compressional wave generating energy to said baseplate;
- and
- second independently operable means to laterally reciprocate said mass relative to said baseplate to impart shear wave generating energy to said baseplate.
A method for imparting compressional and shear waves into the earth comprising the steps of:
- (1) positioning a baseplate in contact with the earth's surface, the baseplate having a vertical post extending uprightly therefrom;
- (2) supporting a mass to said post,
- (3) selectively vertically vibrating said mass relative to said post to impart compressional wave energy to said base;
- and
- (4) selectively slidably laterally displacing said mass on a horizontal bottom plate that is supported by said baseplate to impart shear wave energy to said baseplate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.