Abstract: Systems and methods are implemented for evaluating underground structures and objects, particularly relatively shallow underground structures and objects, using a seismic or acoustic source signal and a resulting seismic or acoustic wave. A discrete or unitary apparatus incorporates both a seismic source transducer and a receiver transducer within a common housing or frame. A unitary seismic probe includes a ground engaging member and a seismic source mechanically coupled to the ground engaging member. The probe further includes a sensor assembly mechanically coupled to the ground engaging member and configured to sense ground vibrations resulting from an impact to the ground engaging member by the seismic source.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for generating ultrasound oscillations. In order to be able to excite with the device oscillations in a vessel simultaneously and uniformly from several sides, the device includes a resonator which oscillates radially in several directions during operation of the device.

Abstract: Computer software, computer and method for generating with a computing device a desired pilot signal for driving a vibratory source to generate seismic waves. The method includes steps for compressing a pilot signal in a force domain and also compressing a mass displacement in a displacement domain. The resulting desired pilot signal boosts the low-frequency end of the vibratory source.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of selectively performing a transmitting and receiving operation by using elements of different shapes. The electromechanical transducer has a plurality of cells, each of which has a vibrating film including two electrodes provided with a gap therebetween, two driving and detecting units, a potential difference setter, and a switch. Each of the driving and detecting units implements a transmitting and/or a receiving function. A first or second element includes first or second electrodes which are electrically connected and further connected to the common first or second driving and detecting unit, respectively. The potential difference setter sets a predetermined potential difference between the reference potentials of the first and second driving and detecting units, respectively, and the switch switches between the first and second driving and detecting units to perform the transmitting and receiving operation.

Abstract: An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) directs light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound is sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal is optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed to develop a 2D or 3D image. In one example, the guidewire outer diameter is small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. Techniques for improving ultrasound reception include using a high compliance material, resonating the ultrasound sensing transducer, using an attenuation-reducing coating and/or thickness, and/or using optical wavelength discrimination. Techniques for improving the ultrasound generating transducer include using a blazed FBG, designing the photoacoustic material thickness to enhance optical absorption.

Abstract: A piezoelectric borehole source capable of permanent or semipermanent insertion into a well for uninterrupted well operations is described. The source itself comprises a series of piezoelectric rings mounted to an insulative mandrel internally sized to fit over a section of well tubing, the rings encased in a protective housing and electrically connected to a power source. Providing an AC voltage to the rings will cause expansion and contraction sufficient to create a sonic pulse. The piezoelectric borehole source fits into a standard well, and allows for uninterrupted pass-through of production tubing, and other tubing and electrical cables. Testing using the source may be done at any time, even concurrent with well operations, during standard production.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for generating ultrasound oscillations. In order to be able to excite with the device oscillations in a vessel simultaneously and uniformly from several sides, the device includes a resonator which oscillates radially in several directions during operation of the device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system having a reaction mass with a field winding embedded therein, a base plate having an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, and an armature winding coupled to at least a portion of the inner annular surface and at least a portion of the outer annular surface of an upper end portion of the base plate. In operation, directing an electric current in at least one of the field winding and the armature winding causes at least one of the base plate and the reaction mass to move relative to each other. The electromagnetic system can be used for seismic exploration and vibroseis applications, among other uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic sonotrode with a main sonotrode body and a sealing area arranged on one side of the main sonotrode body. The main sonotrode body has two through-slits extending in or through the main sonotrode body respectively along a slit axis. These through-slits intersect in such a way that a through-channel through the main sonotrode body is formed from the one through-slit into the other through-slit. This creates a slit portion that is formed both by the one through-slit and the other through-slit. Provided in this main sonotrode body is a processing channel, which extends along a processing channel axis from a side area of the main sonotrode body up to the through-channel and is arranged substantially symmetrically about the processing channel axis.

Abstract: An element of an ultrasonic transducer includes a first substrate, at least one cell of the ultrasonic transducer arranged above the first substrate, and a second substrate arranged under the first substrate, in which a first power supply for applying an electric signal to the first substrate is formed.

Abstract: Seismic wave sources and related methods are provided. A seismic wave source includes a housing, plural pillars and an excitation system. The housing is split in two halves along a plane including a longitudinal axis of the housing. The plural pillars are made of piezoelectric elements and are positioned inside the housing to have one end in contact with a semi-cylindrical middle portion of one half of the housing and another end in contact with a semi-cylindrical middle portion of the other half of the housing. The excitation system connected by wires to the plural pillars and is configured to provide electrical signals to the piezoelectric elements. Upon receiving the electrical signals from the excitation system, the pillars generate forces on the housing thereby generating seismic waves.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for rotational alignment and attachment of ultrasonic transducers to a barrier with one submerged surface uses a temporary transducer assembly to position mounting rings on opposite surfaces of the barrier. Plural permanent transducers are then mounted to each mounting ring and are aligned with each other across the barrier by virtue of the alignment of their mounting rings. The submerged mounting ring is used like a cylinder in combination with a mounting plate for the transducers on the submerged side of the barrier or each submerged side transducer has a suction cup fitting for use to exclude water from between each transducer and the submerged barrier surface to facilitate bonding of the submerged side transducers to the barrier.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for performing seismic surveys using a seismic vibrator, which generates a sweep signal with enhanced low frequency content by generating a combination of a linear and nonlinear sweep and wherein the nonlinear sweep snonl(t) as a function of time (t) is calculated by a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: The invention is an electric powered mechanism for lifting and lowering at the wheels for an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. Preferably a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record.

Abstract: Provided is a transducer in which electrodes in a movable region are less likely to affect the mechanical characteristics of the movable region and in which nonuniform electrical potential distribution of the surface of the electrodes in the movable region is suppressed. The transducer includes first electrodes and second electrodes opposing the first electrodes with gaps interposed between therebetween. The resistance per unit area of the first electrodes differs in a movable region relative to the second electrodes and an unmovable region relative to the second electrodes. The first electrodes in the movable region and the first electrodes in the unmovable region have different thicknesses.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus are described for generating acoustic signals for use in a vibratory seismic survey, including at least two different sweep signals for the control of at least two different types of vibrators; and matching the phases of the different sweep signals at a transition frequency from one sweep signal to another.

Abstract: A sweep generator is employed to generate a sweep to be used by a seismic vibrator device for generating a desired target output spectrum, wherein the frequency sweep is designed so as to comply with one or more constraints imposed by the seismic vibrator device and/or imposed by the environment in which the device is to be used. In one embodiment, a sweep generator determines a sweep for achieving a desired target output spectrum by a given seismic vibrator device in compliance with at least a pump flow constraint imposed by the seismic vibrator device. In another embodiment, a sweep generator determines a sweep for achieving a desired target output spectrum by a given seismic vibrator device in compliance with all of multiple operational constraints of the seismic vibrator device, such as both mass displacement and pump flow constraints. Environmental constraints may also be accounted for in certain embodiments.

Abstract: A system and method to enable vibration mediated communication between electrical devices such as photovoltaic solar panel controllers. The electrical devices may be connected to a mesh network with individual router devices. The individual router devices will send and receive data packets by creating or detecting vibrations in a solid vibration conducting media (such as the solar power wiring) that connects the individual electrical devices. Often at least one centralized control device is used to periodically request sensor data packets from the individual router devices and electrical devices. When the electrical devices are photovoltaic solar arrays, the centralized control device may, for example, be used to compute the proper adjustments for the solar arrays that will optimize the overall power output from the photovoltaic solar array. The control device will then send adjustment data packets back to the individual router devices through the mesh network, thus optimizing overall power output.

Abstract: There is provided a housing for a vibration generating apparatus, the housing including: a bracket including a protrusion part protruding from an edge thereof; and a case coupled to the bracket and having an insertion hole into which the protrusion part is inserted when the case is coupled to the bracket.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a thermal drain across which heat is thermally conducted from an ultrasound transducer to an outer polymeric casing wall of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. The seismic source further includes an active isolation system that provides for significant weight on the ground through the rods of the linear electric motors, but protects the vehicle body and the remainder of the systems on the seismic source to be insulated from the harshest vibration related to the acoustic energy being applied to the ground.

Abstract: The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. Preferably a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground to create impulses that deliver acoustic seismic energy into the earth for geophones to sense and record. However, the pulses of seismic energy are delivered in a distinctive fashion where different linear motors are deliberately and concurrently providing different signals that create a distinctive composite signature or signal that can be identified in the data record for source separation purpose.

Abstract: The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. Preferably a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record.

Abstract: The invention is an electric power accumulator used with an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power to drive a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion. The source may also be designed to use electric power to drive the source from location to location through a survey area. A large electric power accumulator is provided to store electric power when the generator is able to produce excess power and the accumulator may deliver power along with the generator to drive the rods and deliver acoustic energy. With a large electric power accumulator, such as a battery or capacitor, the engine and generator combination may be engineered to be somewhat smaller, less costly and more efficient than a system where the engine and generator were sized to provide the electric power at times of maximum electric draw.

Abstract: The invention is an electric seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons that creates a quasi-impulsive burst of seismic energy onto the ground and into the earth. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground. All of the linear electric motors are driven against the ground in a high power pulse that delivers a band-limited spectrum of seismic energy over a very brief period of time that would like a “pop” and be measured in milliseconds. A quasi-impulsive seismic pulse would create a wave field that resembles the seismic data acquired using dynamite or other explosive seismic systems without the ultrahigh frequencies of a true explosive pulse. The quick burst or several quick bursts may further speed up the survey by minimizing the time that a vibe spends on a source point.

Abstract: The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. The seismic source includes systems for driving the acoustic energy systems using electric energy concurrently from both the generator and an electric energy accumulator such as a capacitor or battery, systems for adjusting the weight on the acoustic energy delivery system by raising and lowering wheels individually and an active energy isolation to isolate the chocks and impulses of the acoustic energy delivery system from the remainder of the seismic source.

Abstract: The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power to drive a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion. Preferably, a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record.

Abstract: A marine vibrator has a housing that comprises a displacement member, the displacement member having a first position and a second position, the housing and the displacement member together defining an internal volume. A linear electromagnetic motor interacts with the displacement member so as to move the displacement member between a first position and a second position and correspondingly strokes the displacement member to cover a volume. The linear electromagnetic motor comprises magnets and coils that when energized create an electromagnetic force there between, wherein the linear electromagnetic motor comprises a piston and a guide that substantially surrounds the piston. The piston has incorporated therein either the coils or the magnets, and the guide having incorporated therein the other of the coils or the magnets. The piston is in interaction with the displacement member.

Abstract: A sweep generator is employed to generate a sweep to be used by a seismic vibrator device for generating a desired target output spectrum, wherein the frequency sweep is designed so as to comply with one or more constraints imposed by the seismic vibrator device and/or imposed by the environment in which the device is to be used. In one embodiment, a sweep generator determines a sweep for achieving a desired target output spectrum by a given seismic vibrator device in compliance with at least a pump flow constraint imposed by the seismic vibrator device. In another embodiment, a sweep generator determines a sweep for achieving a desired target output spectrum by a given seismic vibrator device in compliance with all of multiple operational constraints of the seismic vibrator device, such as both mass displacement and pump flow constraints. Environmental constraints may also be accounted for in certain embodiments.

Abstract: A method of performing a seismic sweep includes forming a composite force profile; constructing a target seismic frequency sweep using the composite force profile; and operating a seismic source using the constructed target frequency seismic sweep.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for generating a frequency sweep signal set for use in seismic data gathering. Low frequency sweep rate modifications are combined to compensate for vibrator limitations and vibrator far-field responses with high frequency sweep rate modifications to compensate for absorption, and then the frequency sweep signal set is generated based on the combination of high and low frequency sweep rate modifications.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering seismic energy with rotating eccentrics where the eccentrics are driven at relatively high, but different rotational rates create a heterodyned frequency of seismic energy into the earth from a downhole location. The rotating eccentrics may be rotated in opposite directions to deliver pressure waves or in the same direction to create a shear component to the seismic impulses.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for measuring the structural characteristics of an object. The object is subjected to an energy application processes and provides an objective, quantitative measurement of structural characteristics of an object. The system may include a device, for example, a percussion instrument, capable of being reproducibly placed against the object undergoing such measurement for reproducible positioning. The structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacities, acoustic damping capacities, structural integrity or structural stability.

Abstract: Computer software, controller and method for generating a desired pilot signal for driving a vibratory source. The method includes steps for selecting a pilot target amplitude spectrum for the vibratory source; determining an initial pilot signal that matches the pilot target amplitude spectrum; associating the initial pilot signal with first and second frequency bands, the second frequency band including a high-frequency end of a range of the vibratory source; band-passing a first part of the initial pilot signal associated with the first frequency band with a first band-pass configuration; band-passing a second part of the initial pilot signal associated with the second frequency band with a second band-pass configuration; level compressing the first and second parts of the initial pilot signal; recombining the first and second parts of the initial pilot signal to form a recombined pilot signal; and processing the recombined pilot signal to obtain the desired pilot signal.

Abstract: A seismic source configured to generate seismic waves underground. The source includes a tank configured to be buried underground, the tank having a cavity; an actuation mechanism provided inside the cavity, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to have at least one movable part that moves back and forth to generate a seismic wave having a desired frequency; and a first fluid provided inside the cavity and around the actuation mechanism and configured to transform the back and forth movement of the at least one movable part into a varying pressure that directly acts on walls of the tank.

Abstract: An element of an ultrasonic transducer includes a first substrate, at least one cell of the ultrasonic transducer arranged above the first substrate, and a second substrate arranged under the first substrate, in which a first power supply for applying an electric signal to the first substrate is formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.

Abstract: A seismic system has a plurality of seismic sources. Each of the seismic sources includes a reaction mass movable with respect to a geological structure and includes an actuator moving the reaction mass. The movement of the reaction mass emits a source signal as seismic energy into the geological structure. In the system, each of the source signals is generated from a base vibratory signal segmented into a plurality of segments, where the base vibratory signal sweeps from an initial frequency to a final frequency. Each of the segments has a partition of sweep frequencies different from the other segments. Each of the source signals has a distinguishing arrangement of the segments different from the other source signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.

Abstract: Temperature stability at the temperatures prevailing in a motor and stability that is required over an entire temperature range are provided by an attenuating mass. This enables continuous use at temperatures of approximately 150° C. while providing ultrasonic attenuation at low temperatures.

Abstract: Method, source and seismic vibro-acoustic source element configured to generate acoustic waves under water. The seismic vibro-acoustic source element includes an enclosure having first and second openings; first and second pistons configured to close the first and second openings; an actuator system provided inside the enclosure and configured to actuate the first and second pistons to generate a wave having first frequency; and a pressure mechanism attached to the enclosure and configured to control a pressure of a fluid inside the enclosure such that a pressure of the fluid is substantially equal to an ambient pressure of the enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration converting chair to be able to most effectively transmit the vibration energy of a transducer by molding a spring material in all-in-one form within a foam sponge which is a material of a cushion or a back piece of a chair and by implementing a new type of vibration transmission method to fix a transducer, which converts acoustic signals into vibrations, on the spring material within the foam sponge in a free condition, and therefore, for a sitter to be able to experience more detailed three-dimensional vibrations, and on the other hand, to be enable to enhance the durability of the foam sponge with the pressure dispersed by combining the spring and the mesh materials molded within the foam sponge in all-in-one form, and eventually to be able to improve the effects of experiencing the vibrations by maximally spreading the vibrations.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of selectively performing a transmitting and receiving operation by using elements of different shapes. The electromechanical transducer has a plurality of cells, each of which has a vibrating film including two electrodes provided with a gap therebetween, two driving and detecting units, a potential difference setter, and a switch. Each of the driving and detecting units implements a transmitting and/or a receiving function. A first or second element includes first or second electrodes which are electrically connected and further connected to the common first or second driving and detecting unit, respectively. The potential difference setter sets a predetermined potential difference between the reference potentials of the first and second driving and detecting units, respectively, and the switch switches between the first and second driving and detecting units to perform the transmitting and receiving operation.

Abstract: An imaging guidewire can include optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) directs light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound is sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal is optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed to develop a 2D or 3D image. The guidewire outer diameter is small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. Techniques for improving ultrasound reception include using a high compliance material, resonating the ultrasound sensing transducer, using an attenuation-reducing coating and/or thickness, and/or using optical wavelength discrimination. Techniques for improving the ultrasound generating transducer include using a blazed FBG, designing the photoacoustic material thickness to enhance optical absorption.

Abstract: The described invention relates to seismic acquisition means for use in shallow water marine environments, comprising: (a) a vessel (1) having at least one hull (25); (b) one or more shaker (13) and baseplate (12) assemblies affixed to the vessel by two or more rigid supporting elements (11) adapted to be capable of lowering said assemblies from the vessel hull to a shallow water bottom (14) and of raising said assemblies from the shallow water bottom to the hull; and, wherein each of said assemblies comprise one or more vibrator units mounted on a baseplate that is adapted to rest upon the shallow water bottom and to transmit vibratory signals from the vibrator units into said water bottom. The described invention provides a high-amplitude, broadband seismic signal, provides high data-production rates, couples energy directly into the earth and minimizes damage to the water bottom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high directive ultrasonic transducer that can concentrate a radiated ultrasonic wave in one direction by making an orientation angle of the radiated ultrasonic wave small in an ultrasonic transducer having a planar radiation plate structure, which has high radiation efficiency in an air medium. The high directive ultrasonic transducer according to the present disclosure includes a planar radiation plate configured to radiate an ultrasonic wave into a medium; a driving unit configured to vibrate the radiation plate in a higher order mode of a secondary order or more by applying predetermined force to a bottom surface of the radiation plate; and a matching layer formed in a height corresponding to 1/4 of an ultrasonic wavelength in the medium, in a part having a positive vibration velocity on a top surface of the radiation plate.

Abstract: Provided is a signal generation device used for an information input method using an ultrasonic signal. Contact electrodes which are formed in a flexible printed circuit board to be in contact with an ultrasonic wave generation unit and reference signal generation units are disposed in a row, so that a length of the flexible printed circuit board can be reduced. Accordingly, in comparison with a signal generation module in the related art, a length of the signal generation module can be reduced, so that the signal generation device can be miniaturized. In addition, in order to maintain the contact between contact electrodes of the flexible printed circuit board and the ultrasonic wave generation unit, the contact electrodes which are in contact with the ultrasonic wave generation unit and the flexible printed circuit board are surrounded by a contact maintaining member which is constructed with a cylindrical elastic member.

Abstract: A sweep generator is employed to generate a sweep to be used by a seismic vibrator device for generating a desired target output spectrum, wherein the frequency sweep is designed so as to comply with one or more constraints imposed by the seismic vibrator device and/or imposed by the environment in which the device is to be used. In one embodiment, a sweep generator determines a sweep for achieving a desired target output spectrum by a given seismic vibrator device in compliance with at least a pump flow constraint imposed by the seismic vibrator device. In another embodiment, a sweep generator determines a sweep for achieving a desired target output spectrum by a given seismic vibrator device in compliance with all of multiple operational constraints of the seismic vibrator device, such as both mass displacement and pump flow constraints. Environmental constraints may also be accounted for in certain embodiments.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensing device is described for measuring material thickness of target such as pipes, tubes, and other conduits that carry fluids. The piezoelectric sensing device comprises a substrate such as a flexible circuit material, a piezoceramic element, and a solder layer disposed therebetween. These features are arranged in manner that provides a low-profile measurement device suitable for high-temperature applications such as those applications in which the temperature exceeds 120° C. Embodiments of the piezoelectric sensing device can be configured for use as stand-alone units separately located on the target or for use as a string of sensing elements coupled together by way of the flexible circuit material.