Portable device and method to generate seismic waves

Abstract

A portable seismic source for generating a seismic wave in the ground. The portable seismic source includes a casing containing an impulsive energy device; a base plate configured to be placed on the ground; and a stabilizing foot mechanism configured to be provided between the casing and the base plate. The stabilizing foot mechanism includes a stabilizer which is fixed relative to the casing and configured to be placed on the base plate and a stanchion that is configured to move relative to the stabilizer and to enter through the stabilizer and apply a force on the base plate when energy is applied from the impulsive energy device.

1 . A portable seismic source for generating seismic waves or energy in the ground, the portable seismic source comprising:
 an impact generator device configured to produce impulsive energy;   a casing configured to house the impact generator device;   a base plate configured to be placed on the ground; and   a stabilizing foot mechanism configured to be provided between the casing and the base plate,   wherein the stabilizing foot mechanism includes a stabilizer which is fixed relative to the casing and configured to be placed on the base plate and a stanchion that is configured to move relative to the stabilizer when impacted by the impact generator device and to enter through the stabilizer and apply a force on the base plate.   
     
     
         2 . The portable seismic source of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible material provided between the stabilizer and the base plate.   
     
     
         3 . The portable seismic source of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 elastic means configured to maintain the base plate attached to the stabilizer.   
     
     
         4 . The portable seismic source of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pin extended through the stanchion and into the stabilizer.   
     
     
         5 . The portable seismic source of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a top cap provided on top of the stanchion; and   at least one sensor attached to the stabilizer and configured to measure a time of contact between a piston and the top cap and/or a force signature of the impact.   
     
     
         6 . The portable seismic source of  claim 1 , wherein the impact generator device is one of a pneumatic activated device, a hydraulic activated device, a propane activated device, or an electrical activated device. 
     
     
         7 . The portable seismic source of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a combustion chamber provided inside the casing;   the impact generator device includes a piston provided inside the combustion chamber to divide the combustion chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; and   compression means provided between the piston and a disk of the casing so that the piston is biased towards the first chamber,   wherein the piston is configured to transfer momentum to the stanchion when an ignition occurs in the first chamber.   
     
     
         8 . The portable seismic source of  claim 7 , wherein the impact generator device further comprising:
 a first valve configured to control an amount of fuel provided to the first chamber;   a second valve configured to control an amount of air provided to the first chamber;   an ignition control module configured to ignite the fuel inside the first chamber; and   exhaust holes provided in the second chamber and configured to release exhaust gases in the atmosphere around the portable seismic source.   
     
     
         9 . The portable seismic source of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a control module configured to control a timing of the first valve, the second valve and the ignition control module.   
     
     
         10 . The portable seismic source of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a power source connected to the first valve,   wherein the control module is configured to control an operation of the source.   
     
     
         11 . The portable seismic source of  claim 9 , wherein the control module is configured to compensate for ambient temperature, pressure, humidity and to perform a single impact, multiple impacts, a series of impacts with equal intervals, or a series of impacts with variable intervals. 
     
     
         12 . The portable seismic source of  claim 9 , wherein the control module is configured to store information related to one or more impacts of the impact generator device. 
     
     
         13 . The portable seismic source of  claim 9 , wherein the control module is configured to communicate data to and/or receive data from a seismic recorder unit by cable or wireless. 
     
     
         14 . The portable seismic source of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a platform configured to be detachably attached to the casing, wherein the platform is also configured to support a weight of a person operating the seismic source.   
     
     
         15 . A portable seismic source for generating a seismic source underground, the portable seismic source comprising:
 a casing;   a combustion chamber provided inside the casing;   a piston provided inside the combustion chamber to divide the combustion chamber in a first chamber and a second chamber;   compression means provided between the piston and a disk of the casing so that the piston is biased towards the first chamber;   a base plate configured to be placed on the ground; and   a stabilizing foot mechanism configured to be provided between the casing and the base plate,   wherein the piston is configured to prevent air from the second chamber moving into the first chamber through the piston and air from the first chamber moving into the second chamber through the piston.   
     
     
         16 . The portable seismic source of  claim 15 , wherein the stabilizing foot mechanism comprises:
 a stabilizer which is fixed relative to the casing and configured to be placed on the base plate; and   a stanchion that is configured to move relative to the stabilizer and to enter through the stabilizer and apply a force on the base plate.   
     
     
         17 . The portable seismic source of  claim 16 , wherein the piston is configured to transfer momentum to the stanchion when an ignition occurs in the first chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The portable seismic source of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a flexible material provided between the stabilizer and the base plate.   
     
     
         19 . The portable seismic source of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 elastic means configured to maintain the base plate attached to the stabilizer.   
     
     
         20 . The portable seismic source of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a pin extended through the stanchion and into the stabilizer   
     
     
         21 . The portable seismic source of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a top cap provided on top of the stanchion; and   a sensor attached to the stabilizer and configured to measure a time of contact between the piston and the top cap and/or a force signature of the impact.   
     
     
         22 . The portable seismic source of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a first valve configured to control an amount of fuel provided to the first chamber;   a second valve configured to control an amount of air provided to the first chamber;   an ignition control module configured to ignite the fuel inside the first chamber; and   exhaust holes provided in the second chamber and configured to release exhaust gases in the atmosphere around the portable seismic source.   
     
     
         23 . The portable seismic source of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a control module configured to control a timing of the first valve, the second valve and the ignition control module.   
     
     
         24 . The portable seismic source of  claim 23 , wherein the control module is configured to compensate for ambient temperature, pressure, humidity and to perform a single impact, multiple impacts, a series of impacts with equal intervals, or a series of impacts with variable intervals. 
     
     
         25 . The portable seismic source of  claim 23 , wherein the control module is configured to store information related to one or more impacts of the impact generator device. 
     
     
         26 . The portable seismic source of  claim 23 , wherein the control module is configured to communicate data to and/or receive data from a seismic recorder unit by cable or wireless. 
     
     
         27 . The portable seismic source of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a platform configured to be detachable attached to the casing, wherein the platform is also configured to support a weight of a person operating the seismic source.   
     
     
         28 . A method for generating a seismic wave, the method comprising:
 injecting air and fuel in a combustion chamber;   igniting the air and fuel to generate a high pressure in the combustion chamber; and   displacing a piston provided inside the combustion chamber to transfer momentum to a base plate via a stanchion for generating the seismic wave,   wherein the piston divides the combustion chamber in first and second chambers and the piston is configured to prevent air from the second chamber moving into the first chamber through the piston and air from the first chamber moving into the second chamber through the piston.