Abstract: A pore pressure prediction method includes the steps of: (a) designing a normal compaction trend velocity model; (b) testing the normal compaction trend velocity model; (c) designing 3-D spatial adjustment parameters to compensate for water depth; and (d) processing a 3-D velocity field using the interpreted normal compaction trend velocity model and the 3-D spatial adjustment parameters.

Abstract: An improved bottom cable for a seismic marine data acquisition system 10. The bottom cable 30 includes a cable section 30b having a bus 48. The cable, along with the cable section and bus, are used to electrically connect a master control unit 40 to first and second modules 32b and 32c, respectively. The bus 48 includes first and second switches 48b and 48c, respectively, located near opposite ends of the bus. In this way, if a leak R1 occurs in the bus, the first and second switches can be opened, thereby electrically isolating the bus and stopping the leak.

Abstract: A fluid-fillable barrier includes a tubular, impermeable membrane and at least one tension member. The membrane has a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The tension member secures between, and extends from, the first attachment area to the second attachment area. When in tension, the tension member may pivot with respect to the membrane, and has a taut length which is less than one-half of the perimeter of a cross section of the membrane, the length and perimeter being measured at a common cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the membrane.

Abstract: A solid marine seismic cable assembly includes a cable, hydrophone housings, a buoyant filler, and an outer protective jacket. The cable includes a load-bearing fiber bundle, data-transmitting wires, power conductors, optical fibers, and a protective sheath. The data-transmitting wires, power conductors, and optical fibers surround the load-bearing fiber bundle. The protective sheath surrounds the assembly of the data-transmitting wires, power conductors, optical fibers, and the load-bearing fiber bundle. The hydrophone housings affix around the cable in a spaced-apart relationship. Each hydrophone housing includes a hydrophone module, and each hydrophone module contains a hydrophone. The buoyant filler surrounds the cable, and separates the hydrophone housings. The outer protective jacket surrounds the hydrophone housings and the buoyant filler, enclosing the cable assembly.

Abstract: A computerized method of intercepting SQL processing within a relational database. The relational database includes a relational database management program having SQL processing logic.

Abstract: A covered feed unit (1) fits on the housing of an office machine (7), in particular, of a flat-bed scanner, having a feed opening (47) for recording media (46), and having a discharge opening which is arranged in a plane located beneath the feed opening, and which is intended for the recording media. Between the feed opening and the discharge opening, the covered feed unit (1) has a deflecting device (6) which has a drive unit (33). The covered feed unit transports the recording media (46) via a transporting path by means of driven transporting rollers (35a, 35b) and idler rollers (38), which form a clamping nip with the transporting rollers. The deflecting device (6) is enclosed by a covering. An upper cover (3) which bounds the feed opening is connected pivotally via a hinge (32) to an upper cover (5) which bounds the discharge opening. The drive unit (33), with its drive-connected transporting rollers (35a, 35b), is disposed in that end region of the upper cover (3), adjacent to the hinge (32).

Abstract: A seismic air gun includes a body, a main chamber, two ports, several air passageways, a shuttle, a return device, and a firing device. The main chamber is within the body. The two ports are in the main chamber. The ports lie along a common axis. The air passageways connect a high pressure air source to the return device, the main chamber, and the firing device. The shuttle slides along the common axis between an open position, in which the main chamber is open, and a closed position, in which the main chamber is closed. The return device biases the shuttle toward the closed position. The firing device causes the shuttle to move from the closed position to the open position whereby pressurized air is released simultaneously from the two ports and in opposite directions.

Abstract: A wear ring assembly for an air gun includes a support ring having a receiving recess of a first length formed in a surface of an end of the support ring. An elastic ring is adjacent an end of the receiving recess. A wear ring seats in the receiving recess and is of a second length, greater than the first length, such that a portion of the wear ring overlaps the end of the support ring, thereby covering and deforming the elastic ring. The wear ring is formed of a thin, low-friction, wear-resistant plastic material having dimensions such that the wear ring does not plastically yield during installation into the receiving recess. Installation is accomplished by attaching a core tool adjacent the seal groove. The wear ring is installed with an expanding pusher tool, over the core tool and into the receiving recess.

Abstract: A hydrophone housing includes a hydrophone module, or cap, which contains a hydrophone. The hydrophone housing clamps around a marine seismic cable. The hydrophone housing farther includes a first portion and a second portion. One of the portions has a receiving recess, The hydrophone cap installs on this receiving recess. The portions each include a contact surface which contacts the cable when the portions fasten around the cable. The portions clamp around the cable via screws, The contact surface includes raised bosses which securely grip the cable by increasing contact pressure per unit area in a region of contact between the raised bosses and the cable.In another feature, the portion which contains a receiving recess further includes a wire-clearance recess and a wire passageway, between the receiving recess and the wire-clearance recess.In another feature, an outer cylindrical surface of each hydrophone cap is flush with an outer cylindrical surface of each hydrophone housing.

Abstract: A method of computing the location of air guns and hydrophones within a seismic spread utilizes a navigation network having a plurality of stations. The network provides a plurality of navigation observations. A number of the observations consist of magnetic bearings which are used to derive the hydrophone locations. The method includes the steps of:a. obtaining a set of observations from the network, each observation being obtained by using navigation devices whose origin system moves independent of the navigation reference point; andb.

Abstract: A package comprises a flexible bag (1) and a label (2), the bag having a closed end (3). The closed end is openable to provide an opening (12) for access to the contents of the package and reclosable by means of the label (2). The label (2) has on one face two areas (8, 9) of adhesive separated by a non-adhesive area (10), the adhesive areas (8, 9) being adapted to adhere to the package (1) one to each side of the opening (12) such that said non-adhesive area (10) extends over the opening.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer assembly includes a piezoelectric ceramic crystal. The assembly also includes a pair of solid circular metal plates positioned to sandwich the piezoelectric ceramic crystal between them, wherein each of the metal plates comprises: (i) an outer rim circling a concave portion formed in a first surface of the metal plate, the first surface oriented toward the piezoelectric ceramic crystal; and (ii) an epoxy wicking barrier formed in the first surface, adjacent to the outer rim. The assembly also includes an epoxy adhesive interposed between the metal plates and the piezoelectric ceramic crystal, wherein the outer rim of each plate is bonded to the piezoelectric ceramic crystal by the epoxy adhesive, the pair of plates thus forming a cavity between them. The assembly also includes a flexing stop attached to each first surface.