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Title: System and method for investigating sub-surface features of a rock formation using compressional acoustic sources

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1326806
; ; ; ; ; ; ;

A system and method for investigating rock formations outside a borehole are provided. The method includes generating a first compressional acoustic wave at a first frequency by a first acoustic source; and generating a second compressional acoustic wave at a second frequency by a second acoustic source. The first and the second acoustic sources are arranged within a localized area of the borehole. The first and the second acoustic waves intersect in an intersection volume outside the borehole. The method further includes receiving a third shear acoustic wave at a third frequency, the third shear acoustic wave returning to the borehole due to a non-linear mixing process in a non-linear mixing zone within the intersection volume at a receiver arranged in the borehole. The third frequency is equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
Assignee:
Los Alamos National Security LLC (Los Alamos, NM)
Patent Number(s):
9,453,926
Application Number:
13/292,908
OSTI ID:
1326806
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2011 Nov 09
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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