Seismic sensor array

• US 20010030907A1
• Filed: 12/07/2000
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (Michigan State University)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (Michigan State University)
• Inventors: Bachrach, Ran
• Granted Patent: US 6,532,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/25
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/16 Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/20 Arrangements of receiving elements, e.g. geophone pattern

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of a seismic sensor array includes a sheet of material and seismic sensors mounted to the sheet. In a further aspect of the present invention, the array includes devices to make the seismic sensor array portable and transportable. In another aspect of the present invention, the seismic sensor array is part of a seismic measurement recording system which includes a data collection box and a computer.

Claims

1. A seismic sensor array comprising:

a flexible sheet of material; and

multiple seismic sensors mounted to the sheet.

2. The seismic sensor array of

claim 1

wherein the array is mechanically mountable to a vehicle during sensing.

3. The seismic sensor array of

claim 2

further comprising an actuator wherein the sheet and sensors are movable together from a transportable position to a measurement position by the actuator.

4. The seismic sensor array of

claim 1

further comprising a frame and wheels coupled to the frame wherein the sheet and sensors attached to the frame.

5. The seismic sensor array of

claim 4

further comprising an actuator wherein the sheet and sensors are movable together from a transportable position to a measurement position by the actuator.

6. The seismic sensor array of

claim 4

wherein the frame with wheels is a trailer.

7. The seismic sensor array of

claim 1

wherein the sheet and sensors are portable as a self contained unit.

8. The seismic sensor array of

claim 7

wherein a substantially rigid frame is attached to the array.

9. The seismic sensor array of

claim 1

wherein the sensors are at least one of the following:

a two-dimensional geophone, a three-dimensional geophone, a piezo electric seismic sensor, and a hydrophone.

10. The seismic sensor array of

claim 1

wherein the sheet is held on a substantially rigid frame.

11. The seismic sensor array of

claim 7

wherein the sheet is held on a substantially rigid frame.

12. A seismic system comprising:

an impulse device operably transmitting a signal;

an electronic control unit; and

a seismic sensor array connected to the electronic control unit, the array operably sensing reflections of the signal, the electronic control unit generating a three dimensional image based at least in part on the sensed reflections.

13. The system of

claim 12

further comprising an electronic network of remotely located computers connected to the electronic control unit.

14. The system of

claim 12

wherein the electronic control unit includes a personal computer which produces three-dimensional imaging of seismic data that is received by the seismic sensor array.

15. The system of

claim 12

wherein the array is connected to the electronic control unit in a wireless manner.

16. The system of

claim 12

wherein the array is mechanically mountable to a moving vehicle during sensing.

17. The system of

claim 16

further comprising actuators wherein the array is movable from a transportable position to a measurement position by the actuator.

18. The system of

claim 12

further comprising a frame and wheels coupled to the frame, the array being attached to the frame.

19. The system of

claim 18

further comprising actuators wherein the array is movable from a transportable position to a measurement position by the actuators.

20. The system of

claim 18

wherein the frame is a trailer that is attachable to a vehicle.

21. The system of

claim 12

wherein the seismic sensor array includes a flexible sheet of material and multiple seismic sensors mounted to the sheet.

22. The system of

claim 21

further comprising a substantially rigid frame attached to the array.

23. The system of

claim 21

wherein the sheet and sensors are portable as a connected unit.

24. The system of

claim 12

wherein the entire system is portable.

25. The system of

claim 12

wherein the array includes at least one of the following:

a two-dimensional geophone, a three-dimensional geophone, a piezo-electric seismic sensor, and a hydrophone.

26. The system of

claim 12

wherein the electronic control unit operably calculates density, pressure wave velocity and shear wave data from a sub-surface target area.

27. A method of using a seismic sensor array having seismic sensors, a sheet, and an electronic control unit, the method comprising:

(a) positioning the seismic sensor array on the ground;

(b) transmitting a vibration into the ground;

(c) receiving a signal from the ground by the sensors;

(d) processing the signal with the electronic control unit; and

(e) displaying a three-dimensional image of collected data.

28. The method of

claim 27

further comprising focusing on a particular area in the ground by activating an impulse device in a plurality of locations, leaving the array in one location, collecting the sensed data from at least twenty geophones, and producing the three-dimensional image.

29. A method of using a seismic sensor array having seismic sensors and a sheet, the method comprising:

(a) flexing the sheet;

(b) mounting the sensors to the sheet; and

(c) positioning the seismic sensor array on the ground.

30. The method of

claim 29

further comprising:

(a) sending a vibration into the ground;

(b) receiving a signal from the ground by the sensors; and

(c) processing the signal with an electronic control unit.

31. The method of

claim 29

further comprising calculating a three-dimensional image of collected data sensed by the sensors.

32. The method of

claim 29

further comprising rolling the sheet into a stored bundle.