MEMS Oscillator Clocking for Lightweight Seismic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic sensors used in land and marine surveys are large, expensive, and heavy, making them inefficient and costly to deploy, and piezoelectric elements are deemed inadequate for onshore use due to accuracy concerns.
Innovation Solution
A seismic sensor apparatus with a proof mass that integrates a power supply, such as a battery, and uses piezoelectric elements to detect movement, constrained to reciprocate in a specific direction, allowing for a compact, lightweight design that maintains sensitivity and accuracy by using a MEMS oscillator clock for intermittent synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional seismic sensors are used in land and marine surveys, then measurement precision is maintained, but device size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical seismic sensors with a MEMS-based system that uses piezoelectric elements to detect ground motion. The proof mass coupled with piezoelectric sensors converts mechanical seismic energy into electrical signals, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical components while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by using intermittent synchronization with a MEMS oscillator clock instead of continuous operation. The system synchronizes data acquisition and transmission at specific intervals, reducing the operational burden and effective weight impact during deployment while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If traditional seismic sensors are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive traditional mechanical sensors with a cost-effective MEMS-based piezoelectric system. The integrated circuitry and microelectromechanical components are manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication processes, significantly reducing per-unit costs while maintaining precision through the piezoelectric detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal sensor platform that can be deployed for both land and marine seismic surveys using the same piezoelectric-based design. The system's adaptability across different survey types reduces development and manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for specialized sensor variants.
3Volume of moving object
If piezoelectric elements are used for seismic detection, then device size is reduced, but accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining piezoelectric materials with a proof mass and integrated circuitry. This composite design allows the small piezoelectric elements to work in conjunction with the inertial proof mass, achieving accurate seismic detection in a compact volume that would be impossible with traditional sensor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces bulky mechanical detection systems with piezoelectric elements that convert mechanical stress directly into electrical signals. This substitution enables precise measurement of ground acceleration in a minimal volume, as the piezoelectric effect occurs at the material level rather than requiring macroscopic mechanical structures.
4Use of energy by moving object
If MEMS oscillator clock is used for synchronization, then power consumption is reduced, but timing accuracy may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic synchronization using the MEMS oscillator clock, where timing references are updated at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous synchronization while maintaining adequate timing accuracy for seismic data acquisition through efficient use of the lower-cost oscillator.
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 integrated design reduces size and weight, enabling more efficient deployment and maintaining accuracy, while the use of piezoelectric elements enhances the system's overall performance and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
uses piezoelectric elements to detect movement
Implementation Method 2
MEMS oscillator clock for intermittent synchronization
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments included herein are directed towards a seismic spread system that may use a MEMS oscillator as a timing reference. The system may include a plurality of nodal seismic sensor units. The system may also include a plurality of MEMS oscillator clock devices, wherein each of the plurality of MEMS oscillator clock devices is associated with a respective one of the plurality of nodal seismic sensor units, the plurality of MEMS oscillator clock devices being configured to input time synchronization to the seismic system. Each MEMS oscillator clock device may include a MEMS resonator in communication with an integrated circuit.