Resonator Frequency Control via Active Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic surveys face challenges in generating accurate seismic signals with controllable sources, particularly resonant piston marine seismic sources, which struggle to maintain precise frequency and phase control, affecting subsurface imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an active adaptive control mechanism that uses feedback to adjust the squeeze piston position in real-time, ensuring the seismic signal's frequency remains close to the intended trajectory, even under external perturbations, thereby improving the quality and predictability of the seismic signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If resonant piston marine seismic sources are used to generate seismic signals, then the seismic energy can be effectively transmitted into the subsurface, but the frequency and phase control precision deteriorates due to external perturbations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active feedback control by continuously measuring the actual resonant frequency of the piston and comparing it to the desired frequency trajectory. The control system then adjusts the piston position in real-time to correct frequency deviations caused by external perturbations such as wave motion and vehicle movement, thereby maintaining precise frequency control while preserving seismic energy transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the operational parameters of the resonant piston, specifically adjusting the piston position and resonant frequency in real-time according to the measured deviations from the desired trajectory. This allows the system to adapt to external perturbations and maintain optimal performance across varying environmental conditions
2Measurement precision
If the squeeze piston position is adjusted in real-time to maintain frequency accuracy, then the frequency control improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control loop that measures actual frequency, compares it to the desired trajectory, and automatically adjusts the piston position accordingly. This closed-loop approach maintains frequency accuracy while automating the control process, reducing the need for complex manual intervention and simplifying operational procedures despite the added measurement and actuation components
3Reliability
If continuous frequency measurement and adjustment is performed during the sweep, then the seismic signal quality improves, but the time required for data acquisition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs frequency measurement and adjustment continuously throughout the sweep process rather than in discrete steps. This continuous active control ensures that frequency accuracy is maintained at all times, maximizing seismic signal quality without requiring additional acquisition time, as the adjustments occur simultaneously with the sweep operation
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time feedback control system operates concurrently with the frequency sweep, continuously measuring and adjusting the piston position to maintain frequency accuracy. This parallel operation ensures that no additional time is consumed beyond the original sweep duration, as the control actions are integrated into the sweep process itself
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
This approach enhances the accuracy and reliability of seismic data acquisition, leading to improved subsurface imaging and velocity model updates, especially in complex geology, by maintaining the average frequency and allowing tolerable phase errors, thus optimizing the seismic signal for imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spring situated within the housing; a squeeze piston within the housing and in fluid communication with the gas spring
Implementation Method 2
resonant frequency of the resonator may be determined from a position of the squeeze piston within the resonator
Data Source
AI summary
There is taught herein a system and method for creating an improved seismic source signal by applying a feedback mechanism, active adaptive control, to perturb a resonator device configuration on the fly so as to ensure that the overall trajectory of the sweep is correctly produced, even though the precise details of each oscillation of the source are still not constrained. An embodiment teaches a method for adjusting the squeeze piston or tow depth of a resonant piston seismic source to bring the resonant frequency to a desired value. As a consequence, the resulting seismic signal is improved as compared with seismic signals acquired via resonators that do not utilize the instant teachings.