Abstract:
A seismic method and system for generating seismic source energy in marine geophysical operations. A slotted housing (12) is moveable by the actuation of piezoelectric elements to generate high power, low frequency seismic source signals. When the piezoelectric elements (30) are activated by electric power, displacement of such elements (30) is enlarged by the slotted housing (12) to generate a pressure pulse in the water. The invention permits single source pressure pulse generation having sufficient power and low frequency. The housing (12) can be towed by a seismic vessel or can be integrated into a self-contained marine vehicle.
Abstract:
An improved drive and support for a machine tool by which a part thereof can be supported and driven along a linear path for machining. The drive and support includes a linear slideway (160) having a magnetic track (172) along which a housing will move when a moving magnetic field is generated in an electromagnetic assembly (170/174) mounted in the housing (150). The direction the housing moves depends upon the direction of movement of the generated magnetic field, and first hydrostatic bearing pads (200) acting between the housing (150) and the slideway (160), or between the electromagnetic assembly (170/174) and the track (170) or any combination thereof, to counteract the attractive force between the electromagnet (170/174) and the track (172).
Abstract:
An apparatus for generating signals and energy for transmission to a large mass (17). The apparatus incorporates a pulsed generator (10) such as a compensated pulsed alternator for storing and for discharging large amounts of energy in a controlled manner for transmission through a vibrator or similar electromechanical device. In the field of seismic exploration, the apparatus discharges seismic source energy into a land mass or water to generate seismic waves which are reflected from the interface between subsurface geologic formations. The pulsed generator (10) permits the seismic source energy to be discharged in a controlled manner to shape the energy signal, and permits large quantities of energy to be discharged to increase the penetration depth and strength of the reflected signals.
Abstract:
A method for minimizing non-uniform insonification of subsurface formations in the presence of steep dips (F) when advancing a swath of elongated parallel seismic streamer cables (13) along a line of survey. A first acoustic source (SL) is stationed at the leading end of the swath and a second source (ST) is stationed at the trailing end of the swath. The sources (SL, ST) are activated in alternative cycles at preselected timed intervals (26, 29) to provide down-dip and up-dip seismic data sets. The data sets are processed and merged to eliminate objectionable shadow zones.
Abstract:
A hydrostatic rotary power transmission system that provides a stable rotation rate at very slow rotation speeds is provided. The system operates in two speed control modes, one being a normal mode for use in the rotation rate range of 50 rpm to the maximum rated speed and a second or fine speed control mode for use in the rotation range of
Abstract:
A sidewall coring tool (20) provided which includes an elongated tool body, low speed high torque rotary coring bit apparatus (44) mounted within the elongated tool body and decentralizing arm apparatus (46, 46') mounted in the tool body on the side opposite the side of the body from which the rotary coring bit (44) is advanced, the decentralizing arm apparatus (46, 46') spaced above and below the location of the rotary coring apparatus (44) for deploying decentralizing arms from the tool body into contact with the bore hole walls. In addition, the sidewall rotary coring tool (20) further includes an electrical control circuit (34) disposed on the earth's surface and monitoring apparatus and circuitry disposed in the tool body and cooperating with the rotary coring bit apparatus (44) for permitting continuous surface visual indication of the travel of the coring bit (44) with respect to the tool body during the coring operation.
Abstract:
A logging-tool assembly (16) for generating both flexural wavefields and compressional wavefields in the sidewall formations (30) encountered by a borehole (10). The assembly consists of a sonde (16) constructed of a plurality of segments (34, 36) that are axially rotatable with respect to each other. Each one of two of the segments includes a compartment in which is mounted a dipole bender bar transmitting transducer (40). Two additional segments (100, 102) each contain one or more binaurally sensitive receiver transducers (108, 110). Monopole transmitting (44) and receiving (110) transducers are also included in the respective appropriate segments. An acoustic isolator (29) of novel construction acoustically separates the transmitting transducers from the receiving transducers.
Abstract:
A method for determining water bottom reflectivity in dual sensor seismic surveys is disclosed. The method eliminates the need for a separate survey to collect calibration data. The method involves summing the pressure and velocity signals (102), and multiplying the result by the inverse Backus operator (108), and then solving for the ocean bottom reflectivity (R) utilizing an optimization algorithm. Also disclosed is a method for combining the dual sensor data which results is the complete elimination of the first order peg-leg multiples and the modulation of the sub-surface reflector strenght with the ocean bottom reflectivity. The method involves summing the pressure and velocity signals, and multiplying the result by the inverse Backus operator containing the correct value for the ocean bottom reflectivity (R) found with the method described above.