Mobil Oil Corporation

Sunbeam Corporation Limited

Charles D Ray

Wayne A Penner

Donald F Huffhines

Carl A Quaglino

Thomas W Cook

James W Goode

Robert O Guenther

Robert G Nelson

Ulrich A Gienger

Werner R Foster, Jr

James W Krall

Lyndell F Scott

Electronic sphygmomanometer

A seismic data generation and collection system is described for use in a exploration vessel for determining the subsea structure of the earth. A plurality of acoustic energy sources are towed behind the boat and acoustic waves are emitted therefrom by conventional means. The reflection at the subsea interfaces of the acoustic waves are picked up by the energy detectors which produce analog signals. These analog signals are then converted to digital data; multiple computers are used to reformat the data into a desired format. A real time monitor computer and monitor plotter may also be provided to assist the operator in evaluation of the operation of the system. The desired record format includes header information relating to the parameters under which the seismic shot was made, which may be written directly onto the magnetic tape containing the seismic data.

Seismic exploration system

A structure is provided for protecting a depth control device used on a marine seismic cable where the device is of the type having a hull formed in two parts and a pair of wings pivotably mounted thereon. The protective structure is comprised of a pair of framelike structures and a ring structure. A framelike structure is mounted on the hull just forward of each wing and extends outward at an angle greater than the angle formed by the leading edge of the wing. This provides an unbroken path from the hull to the wing along which an obstacle, e.g., buoy line, can slide over the control device without becoming lodged in the gap normally existing between the wing and the hull. The ring structure is positioned on the seismic cable just forward of the control device to protect the device against a buoy line or the like becoming lodged in the gap which is inherently present when the two parts of the hull are joined about a seismic cable. Not only does the present invention protect the depth control device, but it also prevents damage to the buoy lines.

Protection means for depth control device

A seismic exploration system employs a seismic energy source, a plurality of seismic energy detectors, and a seismic recording system. The recording system employs amplifiers, a multiplexer, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog seismic reflection signals resulting from repetitive firings of the seismic energy source to a serial output of multiplexed digital samples. These digital samples are sequentially strobed into selected storage locations in core memory, such storage locations being selected such that the multiplexed samples are reoriented serially by channel in successive ones of the storage locations. The digital samples are next sequentially strobed out of core memory by such successive storage locations to produce prior to each firing of the seismic source a serial-by-trace record of the detected seismic reflection signals resulting from the previous firing of the seismic source.

System for recording seismic reflection signals in serial-by-trace format

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Charles D Ray