Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for conducting a seismic survey. The system includes at least one seismic sensor configured to supply a signal responsive to reflections of acoustic energy from an earth surface; and at least one processor configured to: mitigate sensor offset from a sequence of samples representative of the signal by filtering the sequence of samples using a symmetrical-in-time finite impulse response (FIR) filter. The FIR filter may approximate a sinc-in-frequency filter. The at least one processor may be configured to process the sequence of samples using a plurality of filter stages that are rectangular in time. The length of one filter stage of the plurality of filter stages may be different than the length of another filter stage of the plurality of filter stages.

Abstract: A seismic source signal apparatus for generating a seismic source signal may include a seismic source component for coupling a reaction mass to the earth; a controllable valve operatively connected to the seismic source component; and a controller controlling the controllable valve with a primary control signal generated by using a model of a response of the controllable valve over a selected operating range. The model is used to reduce nonlinearity in flow versus displacement response of the controllable valve.

Abstract: A method of controlling seismic data acquisition may include sending a first message to place a plurality of energy sources into an operating mode; sending a second message to place at least one of plurality of energy sources into a non-operating mode; and sending a third message from at least one energy source to a controller.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for conducting a seismic survey. The system includes a seismic sensor supplying a seismic signal; sampling circuitry configured to convert the signal to a sequence of samples, each sample represented by a bit string; a data communication device configured to transmit compressed seismic data; a recording computer configured to receive compressed seismic data; at least one processor with a computer memory accessible thereto, the at least one processor configured to: create a sample block by storing at least a portion of the sequence of samples in memory units in the computer memory, wherein each sample is stored in a corresponding memory unit; and compress data contained in the sample block by encoding all bits of a particular bit number from the memory units of the sample block in sequence to produce compressed seismic data.

Abstract: A seismic vibrator has a baseplate composed at least partially of a composite material. The baseplate has a body composed of the composite material and has top and bottom plates composed of a metallic material. The top plate supports isolators for isolating the vibrator's mass and frame from the baseplate. Internally, the composite body has a central structure to which couple stilts for supporting the mass and a piston for the vibrator's actuator. A lattice structure surrounds the central structure. This lattice structure has radial ribs extending from the central structure and has radial ribs interconnecting the radial ribs.

Abstract: A vibrator-coupled ground filter improves seismic data recorded during a seismic operation. This filter is based on a ground model that takes into consideration the vibrator system, the coupling system between the baseplate and captured ground, and the coupled ground system. Using acceleration data from the baseplate and the reaction mass, the ground model can be used to derive particular variables for the ground model to help characterize the system. Using the derived variables in a ground filter, the recorded seismic data can be corrected to remove errors in the trace data produced by typical assumptions.

Abstract: A system for acquiring seismic information may include a seismic spread in signal communication with a central controller having a central recording system, a source encoder in signal communication with the seismic spread, and a source decoder in wireless signal communication with the source encoder. The source decoder and the encoder are each selectively responsive to a control signal and can be selectively configured to transmit the control signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling a seismic vehicle may include estimating at least one orientation parameter for the seismic vehicle and controlling at least one operating parameter in view of the estimated orientation parameter(s). In non-limiting arrangements, the control may relate to re-positioning the seismic vehicle, adjusting value of a hold-down force or target drive force, and/or updating a seismic data acquisition database.

Abstract: A seismic source signal apparatus for generating a seismic source signal may include a seismic source component for coupling a reaction mass to the earth; a controllable valve operatively connected to the seismic source component; and a controller controlling the controllable valve with a primary control signal generated by using a model of a response of the controllable valve over a selected operating range. The model is used to reduce nonlinearity in flow versus displacement response of the controllable valve.

Abstract: A method of controlling seismic data acquisition may include sending a first message to place a plurality of energy sources into an operating mode; sending a second message to place at least one of plurality of energy sources into a non-operating mode; and sending a third message from at least one energy source to a controller.

Abstract: A method of performing a seismic sweep determining a user-defined force at a frequency using user defined inputs; determining a maximum force at the frequency using sweep parameters; and using the maximum force to drive a seismic source if the user-defined force is greater than the maximum force.

Abstract: A connector for forming an electrical connection includes a connector body having internal threads formed on an inner surface, a locking member mounted in the connector body and resiliently projecting into a valley of the internal threads, and a plug having external threads complementary to the internal threads. The apex of the external threads may include a recess for receiving the locking member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates methods and apparatus conducting a seismic survey. The apparatus includes an analog interface and power supply both disposed in a housing. The analog interface is configured to receive analog seismic data from a seismic sensor. The apparatus includes one or more of: (i) an isolation transformer disposed between the power supply and the analog interface and (ii) a analog interface clock configured to synchronized with a power supply clock. The method may include reducing power transmission losses and/or the effect of power supply noise on the seismic signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for reducing propagation delay uncertainty while conducting a survey. The apparatus includes a plurality of nodes along a communication path configured to allow communication between nodes with only one clock domain boundary crossing. Each node may include a clock, a memory, and a processor. The plurality of nodes is arranged in a linear topology. The linear topology may have first and second nodes on the ends of the line. The method may include reducing propagation delay uncertainty using at least one time marker transmitted to each of the plurality of nodes without crossing a clock domain boundary of any other node.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates methods and apparatus for conducting a seismic survey using a fiber optic network. The method may include synchronizing a plurality of seismic devices over a fiber optic network where at least one of the seismic devices is separated from a master clock by at least one other seismic device. The method may also include encoding the master clock signal, transmitting the encoded master clock signal, and recovering the master clock signal. The apparatus may include a fiber optic network with seismic devices. The seismic devices may be arranged in a linear or tree topology.

Abstract: A connector for forming an electrical connection includes a connector body and an insulator disposed in the connector body. The insulator may include a plurality of female contact and a plurality of passages. Each passage allows access to one of the female contacts and is at least partially defined by a plurality of inwardly projecting rings. The connector also includes a plug having a plurality of male contact male contacts complementary to the female contacts. Each male contact male contact has a tower shaped to sealingly seat within an associated passage in the insulator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates methods and apparatus conducting a seismic survey while supplying power and data over multiple conductor pairs. In aspects, the disclosure also relates to maintaining power distribution during a failure of at least one conductor pair. The method includes superimposing data and power on each of a plurality of conductor pairs. The apparatus may include a power supply with power supplied by the plurality of conductor pairs carrying power and data.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition apparatus having a recorder co-located with a sensor unit in a seismic spread and a communication device for direct communication with a central recorder. A memory located in the recorder and/or in the central controller holds location parameters associated with the sensor unit, and the parameters can be updated. Methods of seismic data acquisition including sensing seismic energy and recording the sensed energy at the sensor location. Delivering the recorded information to a central recorder by manually retrieving removable memory from each recorder, by wireless transmission of the information, or by removing the information from each recorder by inductive or cable connectors and a transfer device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A seismic vibrator has a baseplate composed at least partially of a composite material. The baseplate has a body composed of the composite material and has top and bottom plates composed of a metallic material. The top plate supports isolators for isolating the vibrator's mass and frame from the baseplate. Internally, the composite body has a central structure to which couple stilts for supporting the mass and a piston for the vibrator's actuator. A lattice structure surrounds the central structure. This lattice structure has radial ribs extending from the central structure and has radial ribs interconnecting the radial ribs.

Abstract: A system and methods for acquiring seismic data is provided. In one aspect, the system and methods utilize a plurality of field service units placed over a region of interest, a repeater unit that wirelessly communicates with the field service units and a remote unit for controlling and processing the seismic data acquired by the field service units. In one aspect, the system and methods determine a condition associated with each of a plurality of attributes relating to acquisition of the seismic data at each field service unit, generate messages at each field service unit when the condition of a particular attribute meets a selected criterion, transmit the generated messages, receive the messages transmitted by at least a group of field service units at a repeater unit placed in the region of interest, analyze the messages received from the group of field service units at the repeater unit and then transmit information relating to the received messages to the remote unit for further processing.