Electrohydraulic pressure wave projectors
AssigneeTetra Corporation
InventorsWilliam M. Moeny, Niels K. Winsor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A projector (10) for creating electrohydraulic acoustic and pressure waves comprising an energy source (21) (such as a capacitor) within approximately one meter of an electrode array (23). Larger projectors may be formed by arraying the projectors, and still larger projectors by arraying them.
Claims52
A projector for creating electrohydraulic acoustic or pressure waves in a fluid comprising:
- at least one set of at least two electrodes defining therebetween at least one electrode gap having a gap space, wherein all said gaps share a common electrode;
- a pulsed electrical energy source for providing electrical energy to said electrodes to create a plasma between said gaps, said plasma creating the electrohydraulic acoustic waves by thermal expansion of the fluid;
- and
- means for connecting said pulsed energy source to said electrode array.
An apparatus for creating electrohydraulic acoustic or pressure waves in a fluid comprising:
- a set of at least two electrodes, each two electrodes defining therebetween an electrode gap having a gap spacing;
- a reflector disposed within approximately 10 times said gap spacing from said gap to reflect the electrohydraulic acoustic or pressure waves;
- and
- a conductor disposed within 10 times said gap spacing from said gap, and comprising a current return conductor in said electrode gap.
A method for creating electrohydraulic acoustic or pressure waves in a fluid, utilizing plasma within the fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a set of at least three electrodes defining at least two electrode gaps, wherein at least two gaps share a common electrode;
- b) providing fluid at the electrodes;
- c) providing electrical energy to the electrodes with a pulsed electrical energy source to create a plasma between the gaps, the plasma creating the electrohydraulic acoustic or pressure waves by thermal expansion of the fluid;
- and
- d) connecting the pulsed energy source to the electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.