Hydroacoustics, Inc.

Dennis R Courtright

John V Bouyoucos

Roger L Selsam

David P Hollinger

Robert F DeLaCroix

David C Charvoz

Disclosed is a system and method for enhanced oil recovery using at least one in-situ seismic energy generator for generating seismic acoustic waves. More particularly the system and method employ a downhole electro-hydraulic seismic pressure wave source to enhance the recovery of oil from reservoirs.

System and method for enhanced oil recovery using an in-situ seismic energy generator

A small boat or launch such as a motorized reinforced hull inflatable boat provides a platform for an acoustic source array of airguns. The array is made up as a ladder structure in which the airguns are disposed horizontally between vertical support and umbilical lines, preferably with their discharge ports in laterally offset or staggered relationship to minimize undesirable interactions between the acoustic transmissions released into the water by the sources and to help maximize the acoustic output of the array for a given array length. A structure stows the array on the boat for transport when the array is not deployed for use. If desired, the stowed array may be substantially enclosed by the hull of the boat. The stowage structure is preferable defined by a track or rails on the top of the deck. Umbilical cables attached to the array are translated, as by being wound on a drum and unwound therefrom, to deploy or retrieve the array over the stern of the boat. The umbilicals provide power (compressed air to the airguns and control signals for timed actuation of the guns). The array may be part of a module which includes a winch for winding and unwinding the umbilicals to retrieve and deploy the array. The array system also includes a compressor for supplying compressed air to the airguns of the array.

Acoustic source array system module for underwater operation which can be installed on a motorized boat

In order to optimize detection of targets from a broadband return, a multiplicity of narrow bands are matched-filter processed simultaneously in parallel. The band or bands which provide the best joint combination of target and propagation in response are used for target detection.

Sonar system especially for shallow water application such as in littoral environments

An electrohydraulic pavement breaker system having cavities ( ) which are filled with hydraulic fluid (oil) or gas, and which provide mass spring system which is resonant at a frequency which is especially adapted for breaking and rubblizing concrete pavement. The resonant mass ( ) is in impacting relationship with the pavement through a shoe ( ), which shoe ( ) may be part of an assembly which is pivotally mounted on the support structure ( ) of the breaker and is vibrated with the mass ( ) to repeatedly impact the pavement at the rate of the resonant frequency. An electrohydraulic control system is responsive to the motion and average position of the mass of the vibrator and controls the driving force so as to be at the resonant frequency of the mass spring system and have the amplitude and energy suitable for breaking the pavement.

Vibratory pavement breaker

An improved acoustic source array system is provided by the invention to generate acoustic signals underwater. The system has an array of acoustic signal sources, such as air guns, towable while underwater behind a surface vessel. The array includes a plurality of these sources, and spreader bar assemblies including these sources. The sources are attached by these assemblies at predetermined separation distances in the array. The spreader bar assemblies provide manifolds for storing and regulating energy, such as compressed air, to operate the sources. The array is connected to the vessel by an umbilical. The sources are controlled by a shipboard controller for firing the sources to provide acoustic signals underwater at selected times. The array may be towed from the ship with the flat side of the array assuming an angle of approximately 45.degree. or less with respect to a vertical axis. The flat side of the array includes a horizontal axis that is normal to the direction of tow. A drum on the ship stows the spreader bar assembles on flanges of the drum in successive layers and enables the array to be deployed.

Acoustic source array system for underwater operation

Impact tools are described which are capable of developing percussive forces for rock drilling and other repetitive high force applications. A hydroacoustic oscillator contained in such tools includes a hammer and a valve mechanism which is actuated by the hammer for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid so as to establish pressure variations which sustain the oscillation of the hammer. A number of alternative valve mechanisms are disclosed, each including a valve element, the motion of which is controlled by controlling the flow of fluid with respect to the valve element as the hammer and valve element move relative to each other. Such flow control is afforded by chambers defined by the valve element; hydraulic fluid flow with respect to which is controlled so as to determine the deceleration of the valve element and the motion of the element in its actuation by the hammer.

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Canandaigua, NY, United States of America

Dennis R Courtright