Seismic Source Baseplate Positioning for Continuous Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic data acquisition systems are inefficient due to the need to interrupt forward movement to impart seismic energy, which increases the time required to collect data and limits the number of source locations that can be acquired in a given period.
Innovation Solution
A geophysical data acquisition system that coordinates the movement of seismic sources with the frame assembly, allowing the seismic sources to be lowered and prepared for actuation while maintaining forward motion, eliminating the need to interrupt the vehicle's movement and optimizing time utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle interrupts forward movement to lower the baseplate and impart seismic energy, then the seismic source can be properly coupled to the ground surface, but the time required for data acquisition increases and the number of source locations acquired per unit time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The baseplate is lowered to the ground surface and coupled in advance before the vehicle reaches the data acquisition point. This preliminary coupling action allows the seismic source to be ready for immediate actuation without interrupting the vehicle's forward movement, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring proper coupling and maintaining high data acquisition rate
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically coordinates the baseplate lowering and vehicle movement, allowing the baseplate to be positioned and coupled while the vehicle continues moving forward. The seismic source is actuated during this dynamic process rather than requiring the vehicle to stop, enabling both reliable coupling and continuous productivity
2Productivity
If the vehicle maintains continuous forward movement while coordinating baseplate positioning, then data acquisition speed increases, but the complexity of coordinating vehicle movement with baseplate actuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's forward movement and the baseplate positioning system are merged into a coordinated operation. The baseplate lowering mechanism is integrated with the vehicle's movement control, allowing both functions to work together seamlessly. This merging reduces the need for separate coordination systems and manages the complexity while enabling continuous movement during data acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to coordinate the baseplate positioning with vehicle movement. Sensors detect the vehicle's position and movement status, and this information feeds back to the baseplate actuation system to ensure proper timing and positioning. This feedback mechanism manages the coordination complexity automatically, enabling high-speed data acquisition without sacrificing precision
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a geophysical data acquisition system. The system comprises a frame assembly; a set of ground engaging members connected to the frame assembly, and adapted to move the frame assembly along the ground surface; and a carrier assembly carried by the frame assembly, the carrier assembly having one or more seismic source subsystems and a drive mechanism adapted to move each of the one or more seismic source subsystems through a plurality of positions between a lowered position and a raised position and forward and rearward positions with respect to the frame assembly. The movement of each of the one or more seismic source subsystems being in coordination with the movement of the frame assembly, such that each of the one or more seismic source subsystems move to the lowered position when the frame assembly approaches one or more data acquisition points on the ground surface.