Magneto-hydrodynamic seismic source and a method of marine seismic surveying
First Claim
1. A magneto-hydrodynamic seismic source comprising:
- a casing having a central longitudinal axis;
a fluid flow channel having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the fluid flow channel to the second end of the fluid flow channel;
a plurality of electromagnets arranged along the channel for generating a uniform magnetic field at right angles to the central longitudinal axis of the channel;
a first electrode positioned on a first side of the fluid flow channel, the first electrode being positioned opposite a second electrode that is positioned on a second opposing side of the fluid flow channel; and
a controllable power source in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a continuously varying electric field between the first electrode and second electrodes to generate a continuously varying inflow of seawater into the first end of the fluid flow channel with a corresponding continuously varying outflow of seawater in the form of a seismic signal being produced from the second end of the fluid flow channel;
wherein each of the electromagnets has a polarity and the polarities of the plurality of electromagnets arranged along the casing are paired and opposed such that a first inflow of seawater enters at the first end of the fluid flow channel, a second inflow of water enters at the second end of the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel includes a discharge port for producing an outflow of seawater in the form of a seismic signal, and the discharge port is positioned a discharge location intermediate between the first end of the fluid flow channel and the second end of the fluid flow channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magneto-hydrodynamic seismic source includes a casing having a central longitudinal axis; a fluid flow channel, and a plurality of electromagnets arranged along the channel for generating a uniform magnetic field at right angles to the central longitudinal axis of the channel, a first electrode positioned on a first side of the fluid flow channel, the first electrode being positioned opposite a second electrode that is positioned on a second opposing side of the fluid flow channel, and a controllable power source in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a continuously varying electric field between the first electrode and second electrodes to generate a continuously varying inflow of seawater into the first end of the fluid flow channel with a corresponding continuously varying outflow of seawater in the form of a seismic signal being produced from the second end of the fluid flow channel.
14 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A magneto-hydrodynamic seismic source comprising:
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a casing having a central longitudinal axis; a fluid flow channel having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the fluid flow channel to the second end of the fluid flow channel; a plurality of electromagnets arranged along the channel for generating a uniform magnetic field at right angles to the central longitudinal axis of the channel; a first electrode positioned on a first side of the fluid flow channel, the first electrode being positioned opposite a second electrode that is positioned on a second opposing side of the fluid flow channel; and a controllable power source in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a continuously varying electric field between the first electrode and second electrodes to generate a continuously varying inflow of seawater into the first end of the fluid flow channel with a corresponding continuously varying outflow of seawater in the form of a seismic signal being produced from the second end of the fluid flow channel; wherein each of the electromagnets has a polarity and the polarities of the plurality of electromagnets arranged along the casing are paired and opposed such that a first inflow of seawater enters at the first end of the fluid flow channel, a second inflow of water enters at the second end of the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel includes a discharge port for producing an outflow of seawater in the form of a seismic signal, and the discharge port is positioned a discharge location intermediate between the first end of the fluid flow channel and the second end of the fluid flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of acquiring marine seismic data comprising:
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actuating a magneto-hydrodynamic seismic source to generate a seismic signal, a portion of said seismic signal being reflected at an interface associated with a subsea geological feature in the form of a reflected seismic signal; and collecting the reflected seismic signal with a seismic signal receiver to generate a set of survey data, wherein the magneto-hydrodynamic seismic source comprises; a casing having a central longitudinal axis; a fluid flow channel having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the fluid flow channel to the second end of the fluid flow channel; a plurality of electromagnets arranged along the channel for generating a uniform magnetic field at right angles to the central longitudinal axis of the channel; a first electrode positioned on a first side of the fluid flow channel, the first electrode being positioned opposite a second electrode that is positioned on a second opposing side of the fluid flow channel; and a controllable power source in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a continuously varying electric field between the first electrode and second electrodes to generate a continuously varying inflow of seawater into the first end of the fluid flow channel with a corresponding continuously varying outflow of seawater in the form of a seismic signal being produced from the second end of the fluid flow channel; wherein each electromagnet has a polarity and the polarities of the plurality of electromagnets arranged along the casing are paired and opposed such that a first inflow of seawater enters at the first end of the fluid flow channel, a second inflow of water enters at the second end of the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel includes a discharge port for producing an outflow of seawater in the form of a seismic signal, and the discharge port is positioned a discharge location intermediate between the first end of the fluid flow channel and the second end of the fluid flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification