Seismic Node Array for Shallow Buried Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic detection of shallow buried objects near the surface is challenging due to high frequencies of seismic waves required and heterogeneous soil conditions, which cause signal loss and noise in measurements, making it difficult to achieve effective detection.
Innovation Solution
A seismic system with an array of nodes capable of emitting and detecting seismic signals, mounted on a mobile platform, acquires and processes subsurface data to increase signal-to-noise ratio through high subsurface point redundancy and data imaging techniques, identifying and removing imperfections such as seismic coupling variations and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high frequencies of seismic waves (up to 2500 Hz) are used for shallow object detection, then detection capability improves, but signal loss and noise increase due to heterogeneous soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic survey is divided into multiple passes with the array being repositioned and re-acquired at different locations. Each pass provides redundant data that is later combined through processing to enhance the signal and reduce noise from heterogeneous soil conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple seismic data sets from different passes and node configurations are merged through coherent stacking and summation. This combines the energy from multiple high-frequency signals while averaging out the random noise and coupling variations, thereby improving detection capability without proportionally increasing signal loss.
2Reliability
If high subsurface point redundancy (60 or more channels) is used to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then noise is overcome, but the complexity and cost of the seismic system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each node in the array is designed to perform multiple functions: it can emit seismic signals as a source and detect signals as a receiver. By having each node capable of both functions and systematically switching roles between passes, the system achieves high redundancy without requiring separate source and receiver arrays, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seismic survey is conducted in periodic passes where the array is repositioned and re-acquired at different locations. In each pass, nodes systematically switch between source and receiver roles. This periodic re-acquisition provides redundant data paths that improve signal-to-noise ratio without requiring a permanently complex system configuration.
3Measurement precision
If multiple passes with repositioning are conducted to achieve high redundancy, then detection accuracy improves, but the time required for data acquisition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic array is designed to continuously acquire data across multiple passes without requiring complete system reconfiguration between passes. The same multi-functional nodes are simply repositioned and switched between source and receiver roles, maintaining continuous useful action and reducing setup time compared to systems requiring separate source and receiver deployments for each pass.
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 system effectively enhances the detection of shallow buried objects by improving signal-to-noise ratios and visualizing subsurface data, allowing for more accurate identification of buried objects despite heterogeneous soil conditions.
Implementation Method 1
each capable of emitting and detecting signals... emitting a source signal by the first node at the first location and detecting a first response signal by the second node
Implementation Method 2
acquire a set of array seismic data... detecting a first response signal... emitting a source signal from at least the second node in the array of nodes and receiving a response signal in at least the first node
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a seismic system having an array of nodes, each capable of emitting and detecting seismic signals. The array of nodes is mounted on a mobile platform in a certain geometry and is configured to acquire subsurface data, and more particularly detect shallow buried objects, while being translated over a surface. Such a seismic system allows for high subsurface point redundancy by providing a large number of channels of data used to sum the energy at a point in the subsurface. In other aspects, the invention relates to methods for processing the acquired data to increase signal-to-noise ratio. In still other aspects, the invention relates to methods for imaging the data for visualization on a display.