Seismic Sensor Coil Eccentricity Detection and Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seismic sensors, such as geophones, face challenges with tilt-induced errors and eccentricity issues, leading to inaccurate seismic measurements and increased costs due to the need for additional hardware and complex wiring for tilt compensation, which can result in reliability issues and misinterpretation of subsurface formations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining and correcting the eccentricity of the moving coil within seismic sensors using a direct electrical current to dislocate the coil from its neutral position, monitoring indicators like total harmonic distortion or sound collisions, and adjusting assembly parameters to ensure proper centering, thereby improving measurement accuracy and reducing manufacturing defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hardware and complex wiring are added for tilt compensation, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tilt compensation function from separate additional hardware and integrates it into the existing moving coil mechanism. By utilizing the same coil that detects seismic vibrations to also detect tilt through its eccentricity, the patent eliminates the need for separate tilt sensors and complex wiring, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving coil is designed to serve multiple functions: it detects seismic vibrations in its primary role, and it also detects tilt through its eccentricity when the sensor is tilted. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both measurement needs, improving accuracy without adding device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If additional hardware and complex wiring are added for tilt compensation, then measurement accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for additional tilt compensation hardware by extracting the tilt detection capability from the existing moving coil system. This reduction in component count directly improves reliability by eliminating potential failure points associated with additional hardware and complex wiring connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If moving coil is not centered in magnetic field, then manufacturing is easier, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of coil eccentricity (which normally degrades measurement accuracy) into a useful signal for tilt detection. By intentionally designing the system to detect and utilize the eccentricity-induced voltage changes, the patent transforms a manufacturing tolerance issue into a functional feature that provides both vibration and tilt information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the interpretation of the voltage signal parameters. Instead of treating eccentricity as a deviation to be eliminated, the system interprets the eccentricity-induced voltage changes as meaningful tilt information. This parameter reinterpretation allows manufacturing with relaxed tolerances while maintaining or even enhancing measurement capabilities.
4Manufacturing precision
If moving coil is not centered in magnetic field, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but harmonic distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful harmonic distortion caused by coil eccentricity into useful tilt detection information. The eccentricity that generates harmonic distortion also generates a characteristic voltage signal pattern that indicates tilt, transforming a harmful effect into a beneficial measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement for precise coil centering with an electrical solution that detects and utilizes eccentricity. Instead of mechanically ensuring perfect centering, the system uses electrical signal analysis to detect tilt through the eccentricity effect, substituting a mechanical precision requirement with an electrical measurement approach.
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 of seismic measurements by ensuring proper sensor orientation and reducing harmonic distortion, while also simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs by eliminating defective sensors and complex wiring requirements.
Implementation Method 1
When the coil moves in the magnetic field, a voltage is induced in the coil which can be output as a signal.
Implementation Method 2
a cylindrical moving coil that is suspended by springs so as to be disposed around a magnet
Implementation Method 3
applying to a moving coil of the seismic sensor a direct electrical current such that the moving coil is dislocated from a neutral position relative to a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for determining coil eccentricity of seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. A direct electrical current is applied to a moving coil of a seismic sensor such that the moving coil is dislocated from a neutral position relative to the magnetic field in the seismic sensor. A predetermined indicator is measured and eccentricity of the coil (δ) relative to the center of the magnetic filed is determined using the predetermined indicator.