Gas-Filled Bubble Sound Source for Low-Frequency Seismic Exploration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low-frequency underwater sound sources, such as air guns and vibroseis, are large, expensive, and inefficient, with limited control over frequency content and repeatability, causing substantial noise and environmental harm, while existing coherent sources like marine vibroseis are not widely used due to size and cost constraints.
Innovation Solution
A gas-filled bubble sound source with an actuator and processing circuit that perturbs the gas to emit sound waves over a range of frequencies, using a symmetrical piston system and computer-controlled gas supply to maintain resonance with the emitted signal, increasing radiated power and efficiency while reducing size and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional air gun or vibroseis sources are used, then low frequency sound can be generated, but the device becomes unacceptably large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a small vibrating element (diaphragm or piston) that mechanically vibrates at low frequencies to generate sound waves. This replaces the need for large traditional air guns by using controlled mechanical vibration of a compact element, achieving low frequency sound generation with acceptable device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible diaphragm as the vibrating element, which can be made from elastomeric materials. This thin film structure allows the creation of a compact sound source while maintaining the ability to generate sufficient acoustic power through controlled vibration, resolving the contradiction between size and power output
2Power
If traditional air gun sources are used, then sound can be emitted, but efficiency is unacceptably low at 3-5%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control where the vibration of the diaphragm is sensed and used to control the actuator that drives it. This closed-loop system optimizes the transfer of energy from the actuator to the diaphragm and ultimately to the water, significantly improving conversion efficiency compared to traditional open-loop air gun systems
Solution Approach 2:
By using controlled mechanical vibration of a diaphragm with optimized coupling to water, the system achieves more efficient energy transfer. The resonant vibration of the diaphragm and its interaction with the water medium improves the conversion efficiency from electrical/actuator energy to acoustic energy, overcoming the 3-5% efficiency limit of traditional sources
3Power
If air gun sources are used, then sound pulses can be generated, but signal control is not highly controllable in frequencies content or repeatability
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system allows precise control of the diaphragm vibration characteristics, enabling accurate control of frequency content and repeatability. The system can be programmed to produce specific frequency sweeps or tone bursts with high precision, making the signal highly controllable for various seismic exploration applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic control system where the actuator can be programmed to produce various vibration patterns including frequency sweeps, tone bursts, and other waveforms. This dynamic control capability allows flexible adjustment of signal characteristics, providing high ease of operation and signal controllability compared to traditional fixed-characteristic air guns
4Power
If traditional sources are used, then sound can be emitted, but noise levels increase substantially causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled mechanical vibration of the diaphragm produces more focused and efficient sound generation, reducing energy loss to unwanted noise. The resonant vibration approach concentrates energy into the desired acoustic signal rather than dispersing it as noise, reducing environmental harm while maintaining effective sound emission power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables precise control of acoustic parameters including frequency, duration, and amplitude through the programmable actuator and feedback system. This allows optimization of the sound signal to achieve necessary penetration and data quality while minimizing noise pollution and environmental impact by using lower overall noise levels and more targeted frequency content
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 solution provides a compact, efficient, and cost-effective coherent sound source with improved radiated power and impedance, capable of emitting sound waves over a wide frequency range, reducing environmental harm and operational costs, and replacing traditional air-gun systems in seismic exploration.
Implementation Method 1
a gas filled bubble as a means of modifying the acoustic load impedance on the radiating face of a transducer
Implementation Method 2
perturbing the gas within the bubble to emit sound waves over a plurality of frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A sound source comprises a bubble configured to be filled with a gas, an actuator configured to perturb the gas within the bubble, and a processing circuit configured to provide a control signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to perturb the gas within the bubble at a frequency defined by the control signal.