Marine vibrator
AssigneeWestern Atlas International, Inc.
InventorLoran D. Ambs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A marine vibrator has a hollow body formed of one shell or of two opposed shells defining an inner space therein with vibrator apparatus within the hollow body. At least one shell has a curved shape, and the shell can have a streamlined shape with relatively low hydrodynamic drag. Certain embodiments include one or more exterior control members to facilitate positioning of the vibrator in water. Other than their mating ends, when two shells are used the two shells may be different in shape and volume or they may be identical. In preferred two-shell embodiments, there is a flexible seal between and connecting the two opposed shells. In certain aspects the inner space is filled with gas. A vibrator apparatus in one aspect applies equal and opposite forces to the shells of a two-shell vibrator or to opposed sides of a single shell vibrator.
Claims35
A marine vibrator, comprising:
- a hollow hull formed of at least one shell defining an inner space therein, wherein at least one shell has a curved shape;
- at least one control member on the hull for controlling position of the marine vibrator in water;
- and
- vibrator apparatus within the hollow hull connected to the at least one shell.
A marine vibrator comprising:
- a hollow hull formed of at least one shell having an interior surface and defining an inner space therein;
- and
- vibrator apparatus within the hollow hull connected directly to at least one shell.
A marine vibrator comprising;
- a hollow hull formed of at least one shell defining an inner space therein wherein said shell has a streamlined shape for reducing hydrodynamic drag;
- and
- vibrator apparatus within the hollow body connected to at least one shell, the vibrator apparatus for applying force to at least one shell.
A marine vibrator comprising:
- a hollow hull formed of at least one shell defining an inner space therein;
- at least one shell having a curved shape;
- propulsion apparatus for propelling the marine vibrator through water;
- power apparatus within the hull for providing power to the propulsion apparatus;
- and
- vibrator apparatus within the hollow hull connected to at least one shell.
A method for insonifying earth under water, the method comprising:
- positioning a marine vibrator in the water, the marine vibrator comprising a hollow hull formed of at least one shell defining an inner space therein, at least one shell having a curved shape, at least one control member on the hull for controlling position of the marine vibrator in water, and vibrator apparatus within the hollow hull connected to at least one shell;
- and
- vibrating the hollow hull with the vibrator apparatus to produce a sound wave for reflection from the earth.
A method for insonifying earth under water, the method comprising
- positioning a marine vibrator in the water, the marine vibrator comprising a hollow hull formed of at least one shell having an interior surface and defining an inner space therein, vibrator apparatus within the hollow hull connected directly to at least one shell;
- and
- vibrating the hollow hull with the vibrator apparatus to produce a sound wave for reflection from the earth.
A method for insonifying earth under water, the method comprising:
- positioning a marine vibrator in the water, the marine vibrator comprising a hollow hull formed of at least one shell defining an inner space therein, at least one shell having a streamlined shape for reducing hydrodynamic drag, and vibrator apparatus within the hollow body connected to at least one shell, the vibrator apparatus for applying force to at least one shell;
- and
- vibrating the hollow hull with the vibrator apparatus to produce a sound wave for reflection from the earth.
A method for insonifying earth under water, the method comprising:
- positioning a marine vibrator in the water, the marine vibrator comprising a hollow hull formed of at least one shell defining an inner space therein, at least one shell having a curved shape, propulsion apparatus for propelling the marine vibrator through water, power apparatus within the hull for providing power to the propulsion apparatus, and vibrator apparatus within the hollow hull connected to at least one shell;
- and
- vibrating the hollow hull with the vibrator apparatus to produce a sound wave for reflection from the earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.