Accelerated Weight Drop Seismic Source Using Gas Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic energy sources, such as explosives and vibratory sources, face inefficiencies in converting potential energy into seismic waves for geophysical surveys, with explosives losing energy due to gas expansion and vibratory sources being unsuitable for soft terrains, while impact sources are inefficient for deeper layer exploration.
Innovation Solution
An accelerated weight drop system using a striker driven by a compressed gas spring, with a cushioning mechanism to dissipate reflected energy, creating seismic waves and incorporating a geophone and seismic recorder for data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If explosive sources are used to generate seismic waves, then high frequency waves are produced, but energy is lost due to gas expansion forcing backfill material up the borehole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical explosion mechanism with a mechanical impact mechanism. A weight drop system uses gravitational potential energy converted to kinetic energy to impact the borehole, generating seismic waves without gas expansion. This substitution eliminates the harmful gas expansion effect while maintaining seismic wave generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters from chemical explosion to mechanical impact. By controlling the drop height, weight, and impact velocity of the falling mass, the system achieves repeatable seismic energy generation with different frequency characteristics, avoiding the energy loss associated with explosive gas expansion.
2Reliability
If vibratory sources are used as seismic energy sources, then repeatable seismic energy is produced, but they are not suited for soft terrains
Solution Approach 1:
The weight drop system is designed to be universally applicable across different terrain types. The simple mechanical impact mechanism does not rely on ground stability or surface conditions, allowing it to operate effectively on soft terrains, hard surfaces, and various geological formations where vibratory sources would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simple, robust weight drop mechanism that is inexpensive and easy to deploy. Each impact is a discrete, self-contained event that does not require continuous operation or stable mounting, making it suitable for temporary or difficult-to-access locations.
3Ease of operation
If impact sources are used to generate seismic waves, then they are simple to operate, but they are inefficient at continuously producing seismic energy for deeper layers
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves continuous seismic energy production through rapid sequential weight drops. By controlling the drop frequency and using multiple weights or a reusable weight system, the apparatus can continuously generate seismic impulses for extended surveys, overcoming the limitation of single-shot impact sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight drop system employs periodic impacts at controlled intervals. This allows for systematic survey coverage with repeatable energy input, enabling continuous data acquisition for deep layer exploration while maintaining the simplicity of the impact mechanism.
4Power
If explosives are used as seismic energy sources, then high energy is imparted into the ground, but their use is severely limited as bombs in certain countries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemically explosive system with a mechanically driven weight drop system. This substitution maintains the ability to impart high energy into the ground through gravitational potential energy conversion, while completely eliminating the legal and operational restrictions associated with explosive materials in various countries.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The accelerated weight drop system efficiently converts potential energy into seismic waves, overcoming the limitations of existing sources by providing a controlled and reproducible seismic energy source suitable for various terrains without the drawbacks of explosives or vibratory systems.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed gas spring configured to drive the striker toward the surface thus creating seismic waves within the surface
Implementation Method 2
a cushioning means positioned proximate the compressed gas spring for dissipating reflected energy
Implementation Method 3
an array of seismic detection devices, known as geophones, which transduce waves that are detected into representative electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, a method for operating an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, and a seismic survey system including the accelerated weight drop. The accelerated weight drop, among other elements, may include a striker positionable over a surface, a compressed gas spring configured to drive the striker toward the surface thus creating seismic waves within the surface, and a cushioning means positioned proximate the compressed gas spring for dissipating reflected energy. In this embodiment the striker is slidably coupled to the compressed gas spring.