Applied Physical Sciences Corp.

Evan F Berkman

Bruce Stuart Murray

James A McConnell

Bruce M Abraham

Daniel A Roy

James A Mcconnell

A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An underwater sound projector for producing time-harmonic waveforms comprises two pistons positioned on either side of an electro-magnetic force generator substantially having mechanical and magnetic symmetry about its geometric center thereby creating a virtual node to substantially cancel reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The underwater sound projector optionally also includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and change the depth and roll when it is configured as tow body. A plurality of underwater sound projectors can be configured in an array. A load-bearing umbilical can connect the underwater sound projectors to a ship, transmit electrical power to each array element and serve as a duplex data transmission medium to route commands from the ship to the projector and report machinery status to the ship.

Coherent sound source for marine seismic surveys

A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An exemplary underwater sound projector comprises a plurality of pistons actuated by an electromagnetic force generator having components comprising a stator, armatures, electrical coils, and permanent magnets. The pistons and the components are arranged to create mechanical and magnetic symmetry about a geometric center of the projector to reduce reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The stator and the armatures have magnetic poles that employ a tapered geometry. The projector optionally includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and/or change the depth and roll when the projector is configured as a tow body. A plurality of such projectors can be configured in an array. An umbilical can connect the projectors to a vessel, transmit electrical power and compressed gas to each array element and/or provide a data transmission medium between the projector and the vessel.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, MA, United States of America

Evan F Berkman