US3953826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Super long seismic source
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1975-05-15
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Granted: 1976-04-27
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Expires: 1995-05-15
Abstract
Abstract An elongated seismic source for use in marine seismic explorations consisting of individual seismic sources with one or more sources being grouped in an array. A number of arrays are used with each array being individually supported in the water and coupled by a separate cable to a vessel. The cables are arranged for towing the arrays in a straight line while the vessel contains means for individually controlling the length of the cables.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis R. Brundrit
- 👤 Jacobus C. VAN Wijnen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/003; G01V1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
An elongated seismic source for use in marine seismic explorations wherein a vessel is used to tow the source over areas being surveyed, said source comprising; a plurality of individual seismic sources, said sources being concentrated in several distinct arrays, each array having at least one source;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
An elongated seismic source for use in marine seismic explorations wherein a vessel is used to tow the source over areas being surveyed, said source comprising; a plurality of individual seismic sources, said sources being concentrated in several distinct arrays, each array having at least one source;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
a plurality of support means, the seismic sources of each array being coupled to an individual one of said support means; a plurality of flotation means, at least one flotation means being attached to each support means; and a plurality of cables, each of said cables being attached to the support means of an individual array to tow said array and pass signals and power between the vessel and said particular array, said plurality of cables being disposed to tow all of said arrays of the elongated source in a substantially in-line arrangement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
a plurality of support means, the seismic sources of each array being coupled to an individual one of said support means; a plurality of flotation means, at least one flotation means being attached to each support means; and a plurality of cables, each of said cables being attached to the support means of an individual array to tow said array and pass signals and power between the vessel and said particular array, said plurality of cables being disposed to tow all of said arrays of the elongated source in a substantially in-line arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 1, wherein means are provided on said vessel for varying the lengths of the cables to change the distance between adjoining arrays.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 2, wherein the means for varying the lengths of the cables is adapted for being mounted aboard the vessel and comprises a plurality of rotatable drums on which the cables can be stored separately, and actuating means for separately and in combination rotating said drums, the cables being arranged to allow a relative displacement of the arrays along the elongate seismic source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 2, wherein the lengths of cable are controlled so that distances between adjoining arrays increase from the middle of the elongate seismic source towards both ends thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 1, wherein all arrays have substantially the same seismic capacity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 1, wherein the seismic capacities of the arrays decrease from the middle of the elongate seismic source towards both ends thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 1, wherein the seismic capacities of the arrays decrease from the middle of the elongate sound source towards both ends thereof and all adjoining arrays are located at the same distance from each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the two arrays situated near the ends of the elongate seismic source is at least one hundred meters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Elongate seismic source according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the two arrays situated near the ends of the elongate seismic source is between one hundred and fifty and two hundred meters.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for generating seismic impulses in a body of water comprising: forming a plurality of arrays, each array being formed from at least one seismic source; individually supporting and floating each of said arrays; positioning the arrays in spaced positions along a straight line; and separately towing each of the arrays through the water while maintaining the arrays in said spaced positions and straight line.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for generating seismic impulses in a body of water comprising: forming a plurality of arrays, each array being formed from at least one seismic source; individually supporting and floating each of said arrays; positioning the arrays in spaced positions along a straight line; and separately towing each of the arrays through the water while maintaining the arrays in said spaced positions and straight line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 and in addition individually varying the spacing between at least two adjacent arrays by varying the length of at least one of the towing cables attached to said adjacent arrays.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 and in addition varying the length of at least one of the towing cables while towing the arrays through the water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-27 | 1979-10-27 | 1980-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-27 | 1983-10-27 | 1984-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-27 | 1987-10-27 | 1988-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |