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U.S. Department of Energy
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Submergible marine seismic source

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7011083
A marine seismic source employs a cylindrical gas exploder adapted to be supported from a surface vessel in a submerged state adjacent a marine bottom. The force of expanding gases within the exploder applies a thrust along the exploder longitudinal axis to a ground contact member operatively interconnected with the exploder to produce a seismic signal. The energy producing force is reacted by piston means within the exploder interconnected rigidly with a large area external water interacting disk. The mass of the reaction piston-disk system is sufficiently great so that the slow moving disk experiences viscous damping in the water and thus generates no significant undesirable secondary seismic signal in the water. The exploder may be oriented horizontally for maximum generation of shear waves or inclined at an acute angle to the vertical for generation of a combination of shear waves and compressional waves.
Assignee:
Atlantic Richfield Co
Patent Number(s):
US 4219096
OSTI ID:
7011083
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English