Seismic transducers and baseplates having external dampeners and methods of use

A seismic transducer apparatus for inducing energy waves in an elastic medium comprising:

• A frame;
• A baseplate attached to the frame, the baseplate having a lower surface;
• An external dampener secured to the lower surface of the baseplate wherein the external dampener is configured to dampen any harmonics or ringing of the baseplate at a selected operating frequency range;
• A reaction mass supported by the frame;
• and
• A driver configured to actuate the reaction mass in a reciprocating motion at the selected operating frequency range so as to impart vibratory energy to the baseplate.

A method for inducing seismic energy waves in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:

• providing a seismic transducer apparatus comprising a frame, a baseplate attached to the frame, the baseplate having an upper surface, an external dampener secured to the upper surface of the baseplate, a reaction mass supported by the frame, and a driver configured to actuate the
• reaction mass in a reciprocating motion so as to impart vibratory energy to the baseplate;
• engaging the ground surface with the baseplate;
• selecting an operating frequency range at which to actuate the reaction mass;
• actuating the reaction mass via the driver in a reciprocating motion at a frequency within the operating frequency range;
• selecting the external dampener so as to dampen any harmonics or ringing of the baseplate that would otherwise occur without the presence of the external dampener within the operating frequency range;
• allowing vibratory energy to be imparted to the baseplate so as to propagate seismic energy waves to the subterranean formation;
• allowing the external dampener to dampen any harmonics or ringing of the baseplate that would otherwise occur without the presence of the external dampener within the operating frequency range;
• allowing the seismic energy waves to propagate through the subterranean formation so as to produce reflected and refracted seismic energy waves;
• and
• detecting one or more of the reflected and refracted seismic energy waves.

A seismic transducer apparatus for inducing energy waves in an elastic medium comprising:

• a frame;
• a baseplate attached to the frame, the baseplate having an upper surface;
• an external dampener secured to the upper surface of the baseplate wherein the external dampener is configured to dampen any harmonics or ringing of the baseplate at a selected operating frequency range;
• a reaction mass supported by the frame;
• and
• a driver configured to actuate the reaction mass in a reciprocating motion at the selected operating frequency range so as to impart vibratory energy to the baseplate.