The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 1995
Filed:
Nov. 02, 1993
Earnest R Harrison, Plano, TX (US);
Western Atlas International Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A seismic source apparatus 10 includes body 12, cap 22, actuator 24, and shuttle 26. Body 12 includes a main chamber 14 that is formed therein and adapted to receive a charge of compressed air. Actuator 24 is preferably a solenoid actuated valve, capable of rapidly opening and closing in response to an electrical signal. Seismic source apparatus 10 includes a solenoid chamber orifice 38 that is positioned within a fill passage 34 to enable fluid communication between fill passage 34 and solenoid chamber 40. Solenoid chamber orifice 38 and solenoid chamber 40 are configured to provide a quick burst of high pressure air through actuator 24 when actuator 24 is opened in order to start the shuttle 26 in motion, while restricting the flow of air from main fill passage 34 and main chamber 14 into the actuator 24 so that the pressure in the main chamber 14 remains high enough to emit a suitable bubble, and so that shuttle 26 is not prevented from closing. A spring chamber 44 containing either compressed air or a mechanical spring provides a closing force bearing on surface 46 of shuttle 26. A shut-off chamber 68 is circumferentially disposed between shuttle 26 and cap 22, and is adapted to receive a portion of air released from the main chamber 14 during firing to provide an additional closing force on shuttle 26 when seismic source apparatus 10 is fired. A water sealing mechanism 74 prevents the flow of ambient fluid into shut-off chamber 68 prior to firing.