Patents by Inventor John J. Sallas
John J. Sallas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11693136Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SERCELInventor: John J. Sallas
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Publication number: 20210132242Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventor: John J. SALLAS
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Patent number: 10718878Abstract: Computing device, software and method for balancing forces acting on a piston of a marine vibrator towed in a body of water. The method includes estimating with a management system located on a vessel or a controller located on a marine vibrator, a transient pressure disturbance in the body of water; computing, at the controller, a force correction for the piston of the marine vibrator, based on the transient pressure disturbance; and instructing an actuation system of the marine vibrator to apply the force correction to the piston in anticipation of an arrival of the transient pressure disturbance.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: CGG SERVICES SASInventors: Ivan Torres Tamanaja, John J. Sallas
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Publication number: 20190212461Abstract: Computing device, software and method for balancing forces acting on a piston of a marine vibrator towed in a body of water. The method includes estimating with a management system located on a vessel or a controller located on a marine vibrator, a transient pressure disturbance in the body of water; computing, at the controller, a force correction for the piston of the marine vibrator, based on the transient pressure disturbance; and instructing an actuation system of the marine vibrator to apply the force correction to the piston in anticipation of an arrival of the transient pressure disturbance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Ivan TORRES TAMANAJA, John J. SALLAS
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Patent number: 10101477Abstract: A system and method for performing seismic exploration with multiple acquisition systems is disclosed. The method includes configuring a first seismic source located outside of an exclusion zone and configuring a second seismic source located inside of the exclusion zone. The method further includes obtaining a first seismic dataset corresponding to a first seismic signal emitted by the first seismic source and obtaining a second seismic dataset corresponding to a second seismic signal emitted by the second seismic source. The method further includes combining the first and second datasets to create a complete dataset covering a survey area and creating a seismic image of a subsurface of the survey area.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: CGG SERVICES SASInventors: Cécile Berron, Philippe Herrmann, Julien Cotton, Eric Forgues, John J. Sallas
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Patent number: 10042064Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: CGG SERVICES SASInventor: John J. Sallas
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Patent number: 9535178Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: CGG VERITASInventor: John J. Sallas
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Publication number: 20160313460Abstract: A system and method for performing seismic exploration with multiple acquisition systems is disclosed. The method includes configuring a first seismic source located outside of an exclusion zone and configuring a second seismic source located inside of the exclusion zone. The method further includes obtaining a first seismic dataset corresponding to a first seismic signal emitted by the first seismic source and obtaining a second seismic dataset corresponding to a second seismic signal emitted by the second seismic source. The method further includes combining the first and second datasets to create a complete dataset covering a survey area and creating a seismic image of a subsurface of the survey area.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Cécile Berron, Philippe Herrmann, Julien Cotton, Eric Forgues, John J. Sallas
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Patent number: 9348042Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAInventor: John J. Sallas
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Publication number: 20150346364Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventor: John J. SALLAS
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Publication number: 20150309195Abstract: Method and source assembly for enhancing low-frequency seismic signals. The source assembly includes a vehicle configured to move to a desired location above ground; a lift and hydraulic actuator system attached to the vehicle and configured to generate seismic waves into the ground; auxiliary equipment attached to the vehicle; and one or more sensors located on the vehicle or the auxiliary equipment for measuring a vertical acceleration or a representation of the vertical acceleration of the source assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventor: John J. SALLAS
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Patent number: 9042203Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SAInventor: John J. Sallas
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Patent number: 8792300Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: CGGVeritas Services SAInventor: John J. Sallas
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Patent number: 8773950Abstract: A method for seismic prospecting that includes a step of deploying plural vibratory sources on the ground; a step of receiving at each vibratory source a corresponding pilot signal for driving the vibratory source; a step of asynchronously actuating the vibratory sources to generate seismic waves into the ground; and a step of continuously recording seismic signals produced by the seismic waves. Pilot signals for the plural vibratory sources are obtained by spectrally shaping starting sequences into continuous pseudorandom sequences that are weakly correlated over a predetermined time interval.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Cggveritas Services SAInventor: John J. Sallas
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Publication number: 20140003197Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: CGG SERVICES SAInventor: John J. SALLAS
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Patent number: 8559275Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: CGG VeritasInventor: John J. Sallas
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Publication number: 20130163380Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SAInventor: John J. SALLAS
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Publication number: 20130163386Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SAInventor: John J. SALLAS
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Publication number: 20130163381Abstract: A method for seismic prospecting that includes a step of deploying plural vibratory sources on the ground; a step of receiving at each vibratory source a corresponding pilot signal for driving the vibratory source; a step of asynchronously actuating the vibratory sources to generate seismic waves into the ground; and a step of continuously recording seismic signals produced by the seismic waves. Pilot signals for the plural vibratory sources are obtained by spectrally shaping starting sequences into continuous pseudorandom sequences that are weakly correlated over a predetermined time interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SAInventor: John J. SALLAS
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Publication number: 20130163385Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SAInventor: John J. SALLAS