Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for accelerating a mass using a pressure produced by a detonation, where the mass is accelerated over a movement range using a detonation of a pressure wave generator that produces a pressure within a coupling component that is applied to a piston having a surface area that produces a resultant force, where the acceleration of the mass determines the resulting force. The resulting force may be directed vertically and perpendicular to a target media to conduct an acoustic wave into the target media. The system may be configured to direct the resulting force horizontally and parallel to a target media to conduct a plane shear wave into the target media. Two systems may be configured to direct two resulting forces horizontally and parallel to a target media to conduct a spherical shear wave into a target media, where the two resulting forces are directed in opposite directions and separated by some distance.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for accelerating a mass using a pressure produced by a detonation, where the mass is accelerated over a movement range using a detonation of a pressure wave generator that produces a pressure within a coupling component that is applied to a piston having a surface area that produces a resultant force, where the acceleration of the mass determines the resulting force. The resulting force may be directed vertically and perpendicular to a target media to conduct an acoustic wave into the target media. The system may be configured to direct the resulting force horizontally and parallel to a target media to conduct a plane shear wave into the target media. Two systems may be configured to direct two resulting forces horizontally and parallel to a target media to conduct a spherical shear wave into a target media, where the two resulting forces are directed in opposite directions and separated by some distance.

Abstract: An improved seismic impulse acquisition system involves an array of seismic sources comprising direct detonation overpressure wave generators that are geographically scattered, an array of echo detectors configured to detect said seismic impulses imparted by each seismic source of said array of seismic sources, a data recorder, said array of echo detectors being connected to said data recorder, a control system, and a network that connect the array of seismic sources and the array of echo detectors to said control system. Each seismic source imparts seismic impulses into a target media in accordance with a respective code sequence of a plurality of code sequences, wherein the location of each seismic source and each echo detector at a given time is known relative to an established coordinate system. The various coded sequences of seismic pulses are used to process the data received by the data recorder from the array of echo detectors.

Abstract: An improved seismic exploration system and method involves an overpressure wave generator for generating an overpressure wave and a coupling component for converting a pressure of said generated overpressure wave into a force that produces a conducted acoustic wave in a target media. The coupling component includes a coupling chamber, a push plate assembly including a top plate, piston rod, and an earth plate, a movement constraining vessel including a stabilizing component for constraining movement of the push plate assembly and a sealing component for substantially sealing the coupling component, and a stop component for preventing the movement constraining vessel from striking the earth plate.

Abstract: An improved system for coupling a generated overpressure wave to a target media includes a coupling chamber and an interface between the coupling chamber and a target media. Pressure produced in the coupling chamber by a generated overpressure wave is applied to the interface thereby converting the pressure in the coupling chamber into a force that produces a conducted acoustic wave in the target media.

Abstract: An improved seismic exploration system and method involves an overpressure wave generator for generating an overpressure wave and a coupling component for converting a pressure of said generated overpressure wave into a force that produces a conducted acoustic wave in a target media. The coupling component includes a coupling chamber, a push plate assembly including a top plate, piston rod, and an earth plate, a movement constraining vessel including a stabilizing component for constraining movement of the push plate assembly and a sealing component for substantially sealing the coupling component, and a stop component for preventing the movement constraining vessel from striking the earth plate.

Abstract: A prosthetic device is described herein that incorporates correlated magnets which enable an artificial prosthesis (e.g., artificial limb) to be easily and effectively attached to and removed from an interface that is secured to a residual limb on a person. In addition, a method is described herein for enabling a person to attach and remove an artificial prosthesis to and from an interface that is secured to a residual limb on the person.

Abstract: A prosthetic device is described herein that incorporates correlated magnets which enable an artificial prosthesis (e.g., artificial limb) to be easily and effectively attached to and removed from an interface that is secured to a residual limb on a person. In addition, a method is described herein for enabling a person to attach and remove an artificial prosthesis to and from an interface that is secured to a residual limb on the person.