US3893539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple air gun array of varied sizes with individual secondary oscillation suppression
Assignee: Halliburton Geophysical Services Inc
•
Filing: 1973-09-28
•
Granted: 1975-07-08
•
Expires: 1993-09-28
Abstract
Abstract An underwater seismic source for generating an improved seismic signal employing a spaced array of air guns of different sizes to generate an initial bubble impulse and to suppress the cumulative effect of secondary bubble impulses. The combination includes means for providing further secondary bubble suppression integral with one or more of the guns in the array. The sizes, minimum spacings, and secondary bubble suppression techniques are intimately combined to provide an underwater seismic source having an acoustic pressure signature wherein the amplitude of the initial impulse, including the signal reflected from the water surface, is from eight to twelve times the amplitude of any subsequent bubble impulses, including their surface reflections.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis M Mott-Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/003; G01V1/006; G01V1/38; G01V1/387; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An array of underwater seismic energy sources for generating a desired seismic pulse at a selected depth in a water medium, comprising in combination: a plurality of seismic energy sources of different energies for producing a like plurality of initially expanding bubbles of correspondingly different maximum diameters and oscillation frequencies, the sources being spaced apart from one another sufficiently to prevent coalescence of adjacent bubbles; bubble suppression means operatively associated with at least one of the sources to suppress secondary oscillations of the bubble produced by the corresponding source; and actuating means coupled to each of the sources for simultaneously producing the plurality of bubbles to generate the desired seismic pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An array of underwater seismic energy sources for generating a desired seismic pulse at a selected depth in a water medium, comprising in combination: a plurality of seismic energy sources of different energies for producing a like plurality of initially expanding bubbles of correspondingly different maximum diameters and oscillation frequencies, the sources being spaced apart from one another sufficiently to prevent coalescence of adjacent bubbles; bubble suppression means operatively associated with at least one of the sources to suppress secondary oscillations of the bubble produced by the corresponding source; and actuating means coupled to each of the sources for simultaneously producing the plurality of bubbles to generate the desired seismic pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The array of underwater seismic sources recited in claim 1, wherein the seismic sources are air guns having different chamber volumes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The array of underwater seismic sources recited in claim 1, wherein the bubble suppression means comprises means for introducing a quantity of gas into the corresponding initially expanding bubble.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The array of underwater seismic sources recited in claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes adjustable timing means for actuating all of the sources simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
A multiple gun array for generating a seismic pulse having an improved signature in a water medium, comprising in combination: a plurality of guns, each of the guns having a first chamber and a second chamber, the volumes of the respective first chambers being different from one another for producing a like plurality of initially expanding bubbles of correspondingly different maximum diameters by suddenly ejecting respective first volumes of compressed gas at a selected water depth, the guns being spaced apart from one another sufficiently to prevent coalescence of adjacent bubbles; said guns including means for introducing respective second volumes of compressed gas from said second chambers into the corresponding bubbles to suppress secondary oscillation of the bubbles; and actuating means coupled to each of the guns for firing the guns to simultaneously eject the first volumes of compressed gas to generate the seismic pulse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
A multiple gun array for generating a seismic pulse having an improved signature in a water medium, comprising in combination: a plurality of guns, each of the guns having a first chamber and a second chamber, the volumes of the respective first chambers being different from one another for producing a like plurality of initially expanding bubbles of correspondingly different maximum diameters by suddenly ejecting respective first volumes of compressed gas at a selected water depth, the guns being spaced apart from one another sufficiently to prevent coalescence of adjacent bubbles; said guns including means for introducing respective second volumes of compressed gas from said second chambers into the corresponding bubbles to suppress secondary oscillation of the bubbles; and actuating means coupled to each of the guns for firing the guns to simultaneously eject the first volumes of compressed gas to generate the seismic pulse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The multiple gun array as recited in claim 5, wherein respective first and second chambers of the guns are connected by a flow limiting orifice, the orifice so restricting flow from the second chamber to the first chamber that some portion of the respective second volumes of compressed gas is introduced into the corresponding bubbles as the bubbles approach their maximum diameters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multiple gun array as recited in claim 6, wherein the volumes of the respective second chambers are not more than one third of the total volumes of the corresponding guns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multiple gun array as recited in claim 7, comprising not more than seven air guns.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for generating an underwater seismic pulse having a signal-to-bubble ratio signature of at least eight-to-one, comprising the steps of: placing a plurality of bubble generating devices of different sizes in spaced apart relationship, the devices being spaced apart sufficiently to prevent coalescence of adjacent bubbles; simultaneously actuating the bubble generating devices to produce a like pluraltiy of initially expanding bubbles of correspondingly different maximum diameters; and introducing a guantity of compressed gas into at least one of the bubbles as the bubble approaches its maximum diameter to suppress secondary oscillations thereof.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for generating an underwater seismic pulse having a signal-to-bubble ratio signature of at least eight-to-one, comprising the steps of: placing a plurality of bubble generating devices of different sizes in spaced apart relationship, the devices being spaced apart sufficiently to prevent coalescence of adjacent bubbles; simultaneously actuating the bubble generating devices to produce a like pluraltiy of initially expanding bubbles of correspondingly different maximum diameters; and introducing a guantity of compressed gas into at least one of the bubbles as the bubble approaches its maximum diameter to suppress secondary oscillations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for generating an underwater seismic pulse as recited in claim 9, wherein a quantity of compressed gas is introduced into each of the bubbles to Suppress secondary oscillations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for generating an underwater seismic pulse as recited in claim 9, wherein the quantity of compressed gas introduced into the bubble to suppress secondary oscillations is not more than one-third of the compressed gas initially utilized to produce the corresponding bubble.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |