Seismic Vibrator Adjustable Resonance Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seismic vibrators face inefficiencies in generating low-frequency seismic waves necessary for high-resolution underground formation imaging, particularly at long offsets where high-frequency signals are attenuated, leading to low-signal-to-noise issues and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A seismic vibrator with a frequency-adjusting system that adjusts the natural frequency of an elastic coupling mechanism and reaction mass to match the actuation frequency, allowing operation near resonance for improved energy transfer and efficiency across a range of frequencies, including low frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional vibrators operate at low frequencies (1-5 Hz) to acquire seismic data for FWI, then low-frequency data can be obtained, but the energy efficiency becomes very low and the vibrator has to operate 25 times longer than at 5 Hz to achieve the same total energy output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the resonance frequency of the vibrator adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts its natural frequency to match the desired operating frequency, allowing efficient operation across a wide frequency range from 1 Hz to 100 Hz. This is achieved through variable stiffness elements that can be adjusted in real-time during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the vibrator system, specifically the stiffness of the elastic coupling mechanism, to alter the natural frequency. By varying the stiffness parameter, the system can operate efficiently at different frequencies including very low frequencies (1-5 Hz) without the excessive operation time penalty described in the contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional vibrators are designed to operate in a 5-100 Hz range, then they can cover the typical seismic exploration frequency range, but they are hard to adapt to generate lower frequencies (1-5 Hz) necessary for full waveform inversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a vibrator system that can efficiently operate across both the conventional 5-100 Hz range and the lower 1-5 Hz range needed for FWI. The adjustable resonance frequency mechanism allows a single device to perform multiple frequency ranges that would traditionally require different specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic adjustment of the elastic coupling stiffness to adapt its natural frequency to match the desired operating frequency. This dynamic adaptability allows the vibrator to efficiently generate frequencies from 1 Hz to 100 Hz without requiring multiple separate devices or complex reconfiguration.
3Power
If the vibrator operates at low frequencies to emit the same amount of energy, then low-frequency seismic data can be acquired, but the vibrator has to operate 25 times longer than at 5 Hz since energy radiated is proportional to frequency squared
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration and resonance principles to amplify the energy output efficiency. By operating at or near the natural resonance frequency of the system, the vibrator achieves maximum energy transfer to the ground with minimal input power, eliminating the need for extended operation times even at low frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by adjusting the resonance frequency to match the desired output frequency. This parameter adjustment allows the vibrator to maintain high energy efficiency across different frequency ranges, including the low-frequency range where conventional vibrators would require 25 times longer operation.
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 energy efficiency and reduces power requirements, minimizing noise and heat generation while maintaining resonance, enabling effective low-frequency data acquisition and improving signal quality at long offsets.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic coupling mechanism between the reaction mass and the baseplate
Implementation Method 2
adjusts a natural frequency of the elastic coupling mechanism and the reaction mass to match an actuating frequency applied to the reaction mass
Data Source
AI summary
A seismic vibrator is configured to operate close to resonance for range of actuating frequencies. The vibrator has a baseplate, a reaction mass coupled to the baseplate via an elastic coupling mechanism and an actuator configured to displace the reaction mass with an actuating frequency. The vibrator also has a frequency-adjusting system configured to adjust a natural frequency of the elastic coupling mechanism and the reaction mass, to track the actuating frequency so that to achieve resonance.