Texas Instruments Corporation

John T Thomson, Jr

Roy C Johnston

Arthur E Leerskov, Jr

Ernest R Harrison, Jr

Frank J Wilem, Jr

Edward C Banas, Jr

Disclosed is a seismic source device, known in the industry as an air gun, having internal sleeve and shuttle control for allowing a predetermined discharge of compressed air into water for purposes of seismic exploration. The shuttle engages an internal sleeve having ports that momentarily align with exhaust ports and then moves past, sealing off the exhaust ports before all of the compressed air in the firing chamber of the air gun is exhausted. By preventing further discharge of air with little or no loss in acoustic output, pulses are greatly reduced, thereby enhancing the operation of the entire system. Further by preventing all the air in the firing chamber from being discharged, the system becomes more efficient and more cost effective.

Internal sleeve air release control apparatus in seismic air gun

Disclosed is a seismic source device, known in the industry as an air gun, having shuttle control for allowing a predetermined discharge of compressed air into water for purposes of seismic exploration. The shuttle is indirectly controlled by a moveable plate for closing the exhaust ports before all of the compressed air in the firing chamber of the air gun is exhausted. In one embodiment, the plate is freely moveable; in a second embodiment, the plate is attached to the shuttle. By preventing further discharge of air, with little or no loss in acoustic output, secondary pulses are greatly reduced, thereby enhancing the operation of the entire system. Further by preventing all the air in the firing chamber from being discharged, the system becomes more efficient and more cost effective.

Internal passive air release control apparatus in seismic air gun

Disclosed is an improved air gun construction which lends itself to use with a plurality or array of similarly improved air guns which enables easy synchronization and timing of such array of air guns relative to one another. In the preferred embodiment, the air gun comprises a shuttle having magnetic properties and an electrical coil in proximity to said shuttle. When the air gun is actuated and the shuttle is accelerated, a voltage is induced in the coil by the flux lines from the magnetized shuttle moving through the turns of the coil. Electrical circuit means associated with each gun senses when a predetermined voltage is induced in the coil and generates a timing signal for each air gun. Additional electrical circuit means phases each of the timing signals from the air guns to occur at a predetermined time to thereby insure firing each of the air guns accurately. The timing signals from each of the air guns are used in conjunction with additional signals to accurately indicate auto fire and no fire conditions of the air guns.

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Dallas, TX, United States of America

John T Thomson, Jr