Abstract: A seismic source includes a base plate having a bottom surface contacting a surface of the ground. The coupler is connectable to the bottom surface of the base plate and projects downward from the base plate. The coupler contain soil under the base plate during operation. Another seismic source includes a base plate and at least one contact member. The base plate has an upper surface engaging the seismic source, a lower surface configured to contact a soil surface. The contact member projects from the lower surface and has a planar bottom surface with a surface area less than a surface area of the base plate lower surface.

Abstract: A seismic source includes a base plate having a bottom surface contacting a surface of the ground. The coupler is connectable to the bottom surface of the base plate and projects downward from the base plate. The coupler contain soil under the base plate during operation. Another seismic source includes a base plate and at least one contact member. The base plate has an upper surface engaging the seismic source, a lower surface configured to contact a soil surface. The contact member projects from the lower surface and has a planar bottom surface with a surface area less than a surface area of the base plate lower surface.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 seismic source signal generator having feed-forward control uses pressure, current, and/or valve position sensors to detect system component parameters. Initial and operating parameters are processed during source operation to remove, partially or wholly, harmonic distortions from the seismic source signal.

Abstract: A seismic vibrator has a base plate with at least four isolators isolating a frame from the base plate. Each of these isolators is offset from the plate's footprint on shelves to free up area on the plate's top surface. An accelerometer disposed directly on the base plate detects the acceleration imparted to the plate. To reduce flexing and bending, the plate has an increased stiffness and approximately the same mass of a plate for a comparably rated vibrator. The accelerometer disposes at a particular location of the plate that experiences transition between longitudinal flexing along the plate's length. This transition location better represents the actual acceleration of the plate during vibration and avoids overly increased and decreased acceleration readings that would be obtained from other locations on the plate.

Abstract: A seismic source signal generator includes a mass, a primary accumulator and a secondary accumulator, the secondary accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the primary accumulator. A method for generating a signal using a seismic vibrator includes operating the seismic vibrator using hydraulic fluid, damping hydraulic pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a first accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, and damping pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a second accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, the second accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the first accumulator.

Abstract: A seismic source signal generator having feed-forward control uses pressure, current, and/or valve position sensors to detect system component parameters. Initial and operating parameters are processed during source operation to remove, partially or wholly, harmonic distortions from the seismic source signal.

Abstract: A seismic source signal generator having feed-forward control having pressure, current and/or valve position sensors that detect system component parameters. Initial and operating parameters are processed during source operation to remove, partially or wholly, harmonic distortions from the seismic source signal.

Abstract: A seismic vibrator has a base plate with at least four isolators isolating a frame from the base plate. Each of these isolators is offset from the plate's footprint on shelves to free up area on the plate's top surface. An accelerometer disposed directly on the base plate detects the acceleration imparted to the plate. To reduce flexing and bending, the plate has an increased stiffness and approximately the same mass of a plate for a comparably rated vibrator. The accelerometer disposes at a particular location of the plate that experiences transition between longitudinal flexing along the plate's length. This transition location better represents the actual acceleration of the plate during vibration and avoids overly increased and decreased acceleration readings that would be obtained from other locations on the plate.

Abstract: A seismic source signal generator includes a mass, a primary accumulator and a secondary accumulator, the secondary accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the primary accumulator. A method for generating a signal using a seismic vibrator includes operating the seismic vibrator using hydraulic fluid, damping hydraulic pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a first accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, and damping pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a second accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, the second accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the first accumulator.

Abstract: A seismic source signal generator includes a mass, a primary accumulator and a secondary accumulator, the secondary accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the primary accumulator. A method for generating a signal using a seismic vibrator includes operating the seismic vibrator using hydraulic fluid, damping hydraulic pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a first accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, and damping pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a second accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, the second accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the first accumulator.

Abstract: A seismic source signal generator having feed-forward control having pressure, current and/or valve position sensors that detect system component parameters. Initial and operating parameters are processed during source operation to remove, partially or wholly, harmonic distortions from the seismic source signal.