Abstract: A marine seismic streamer to be tested is towed through the water in a fully deployed state past a lightweight, portable acoustic energy source submerged beneath a stationary float. The electrical output of multiple pressure transducers distributed along the streamer is recorded on the towing vessel in response to acoustic pulses generated every few seconds by the source, a separate channel being indicative of the combined transducer output of each streamer section. Output signals failing to exhibit normal wave shape or decay characteristics as the distance varies between individual streamer sections and the stationary source may be indicative of faulty transducers or electrical or mechanical cable failures.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating seismic waves includes an elongated closed tube with a piston in its internal cavity. The piston is carried by a piston rod which extends through the top of the tube, and includes a fuel inlet and exhaust channel. The piston also carries a second tube to define a combustion chamber therein, and a fuel conducting tube extending along the length of the piston rod and beyond the piston to approximately medially within the second tube. When a combustion fuel is introduced to within the combustion chamber and ignited, a force is applied to the piston in one direction and an opposite force is applied to the tube moving the tube with respect to the piston a distance approximately three times the diameter of the piston.