Portable seismic survey device and method

Abstract

The present technology is essentially a portable seismic survey system and method using reflection seismology for mapping subterranean formations. The device includes an upper assembly, a firing pin operably associated with a firing pin actuator, a lower assembly including a cartridge holder capable of retaining a blasting cartridge, and a detonation sensor capable of detecting detonation of the blasting cartridge. The detonation sensor transmits a signal to an event marking device to trigger a recordation of detonation time and geographic location of the seismic survey device. A seismic wave is generated upon detonation, which is then reflected back toward seismometers. Data from the event marking system and seismometers can then be processed to provide geological formation information.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
         1 . A seismic survey system comprising:
 a portable device configured to create a seismic wave;   at least one sensor configured to detect a creation condition of said seismic wave and to generate a signal associated with creation of said seismic wave upon detecting of the creation condition; and   an event marking device configured to receive said signal, said event marking device being configured to determine a time associate with the creation of said seismic wave, and a geographic location of said portable device upon triggering by receipt of said signal.   
     
     
         2 . The seismic survey system of  claim 1 , wherein said seismic wave is created by detonating a blasting cartridge retained in said portable device, wherein said sensor is a detonation sensor configured to detect a detonation condition of said blasting cartridge, wherein said signal is a detonation signal, and wherein said time associate with the creation of said seismic wave is a detonation time of said blasting cartridge. 
     
     
         3 . The seismic survey system of  claim 2 , wherein said event marking device is in communication with a recording system, said event marking device is configured to communicate at least said detonation time and said geographic location to said recording system. 
     
     
         4 . The seismic survey system of  claim 2  further comprising at least one seismometer configured to detect a seismic condition created by detonation of the blasting cartridge, and to generate a seismic signal including information associated with said seismic condition. 
     
     
         5 . The seismic survey system of  claim 4 , wherein said seismometer is configured to communicate said seismic signal to said event marking device or a recording system, with said seismic signal including at least a seismic reception time. 
     
     
         6 . The seismic survey system of  claim 5 , wherein said seismometer includes a global positioning unit, said seismometer is configured to communicate geographic location information of said seismometer to said event marking device or said recording system. 
     
     
         7 . The seismic survey system of  claim 5 , wherein said seismometer is a plurality of seismometers positioned at locations in or on a surface of a geographic area. 
     
     
         8 . The seismic survey system of  claim 1  further comprising a soil sensing device associated with said portable device, said soil sensing device is configured to sense a condition selected from the group consisting of soil moisture, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at soil surface, soil temperature, soil respiration, soil heat flux, solar radiation, gas detection, radiation, PH level, and geochemical measurements. 
     
     
         9 . The seismic survey system of  claim 2 , wherein said detonation sensor is configured to communicate said detonation signal to said event marking device wirelessly or by way of wiring. 
     
     
         10 . The seismic survey system of  claim 1 , wherein said portable device includes a global positioning unit that is configured to provide geographic location information to said event marking device. 
     
     
         11 . The seismic survey system of  claim 10  further comprises a location antenna attachable to an upper assembly of said portable device. 
     
     
         12 . A method of using a seismic survey system comprising the steps of:
 a) creating a seismic wave at a geographic location utilizing a portable device;   b) detecting creation of said seismic wave using a sensor;   c) communicating a signal from said sensor to an event marking device; and   d) triggering by receipt of said signal a recordation by said event marking device of a time associated with creation of said seismic wave and a geographic location of said portable device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said seismic wave is created by detonating a blasting cartridge retained in said portable device, wherein said sensor is a detonation sensor configured to detect a detonation condition of said blasting cartridge, wherein said signal is a detonation signal, and wherein said time associate with the creation of said seismic wave is a detonation time of said blasting cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said blasting cartridge is detonated at a depth below a surface of the earth. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said depth is based on at least one soil condition of a location of detonation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of detecting said seismic wave or a reflection of said seismic wave by one or more seismometers, and generating by said seismometers a reception time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of communicating to a recording system said detonation time from said event marking device, and said reception time from said seismometers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of processing by said recording system at least said detonation time and said reception time to provide geological formation information. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of communicating to said recording system geographic location information of said portable device and said seismometers, and processing said geographic location information for utilization in providing said geological formation information. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a seismic survey system comprising the steps of:
 a) determining a borehole depth based on at least one soil condition of a location of at least one borehole;   b) drilling the borehole to the determined borehole depth;   c) providing location of detonation at least one portable device configured to retain and detonate a blasting cartridge;   d) detonating the blasting cartridge inside the borehole;   e) detecting detonation of the blasting cartridge using a detonation sensor;   f) communicating a signal from said detonation sensor to an event marking device; and   g) triggering by receipt of said signal a recordation by said event marking device of a detonation time and a geographic location of said portable device.