Geophysical exploration system and method

• US 6,360,173 B1
• Filed: 02/16/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terrescan Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Terrescan Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Fullerton, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): McElheny, Jr., Donald E.
• Application Number:
  US09/505,636
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 702/14, 702/16, 702/17, 702/18, 367/41, 367/42, 367/70, 367/74, 367/100, 367/23, 181/113, 181/108, 181/116, 181/117
• US Class Current: 702/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/005 with exploration systems emitting special signals, e.g. frequency swept signals, pulse sequences or slip sweep arrangements

Abstract

A system and method for detecting and profiling subsurface structures and/or properties. The system uses a time-coded, pulse-shaped detonation wave to impart energy to the ground. The detonation wave is a monocycle waveform. Echoes returned from geologic strata and features deep within the earth are captured and processed to localize and identify vital mineral resources such as oil or gas pockets, kimberlite pipes, salt or other concentrated mineral deposits. The system is portable and uses fuel that is both adaptable and inexpensive.

Claims

1. A system for detecting and profiling geophysical structures and/or properties, comprising:

an impulsive seismic source; and

a sensing means for sensing data that are representative of a plurality of echoes returned by said geophysical structures and/or properties;

wherein said impulsive seismic source generates a coded sequence of time-coded pulses;

wherein said sequence of coded pulses propagates to said geophysical structures and/or properties, causing said geophysical structures and/or properties to return said plurality of echoes; and

wherein each one of said sequence of coded pulses is a pulse in a monocycle waveform and is derived from a gaussian waveform.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a means for storing said data for subsequent display or processing.

3. A system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a processing means for processing said data;

wherein said processing means uses one or more imaging algorithms to process said data; and

wherein said processed data represent images of said geophysical structures and/or properties.

4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a display means for displaying said processed data.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means is a plurality of seismic sensors.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said impulsive seismic source includes an array of pulse generators;

wherein said array of pulse generators is synchronized to generate said sequence of coded pulses in a predetermined direction.

7. A system for detecting and profiling geophysical structures and/or properties, comprising;

a pulse generator for generating a sequence of coded pulses in monocycle waveform derived from a gaussian waveform; and

one or more sensors for capturing data that are representative of a plurality of signals echoing from said geophysical structures and/or properties in response to said sequence of coded pulses propagating to said geophysical structures and/or properties.

8. A system according to claim 7, further comprising:

a data recorder for storing said captured data;

a data processor for processing said captured data to produce images which are representative of said geophysical structures and/or properties; and

a display for displaying said images.

9. A method for detecting and profiling geophysical structures and/or properties, comprising the steps of:

generating a sequence of coded pulses;

sensing data that are representative of a plurality of echoes returned by said geophysical structures and/or properties; and

configuring an array of pulse generators to generate said sequence of coded pulses in a predetermined direction,

wherein said sequence of coded pulses propagates to said geophysical structures and/or properties, causing said geophysical structures and/or properties to return said plurality of echoes; and

wherein each one of said sequence of coded pulses is a pulse in a monocycle waveform.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

storing said data for subsequent display or processing;

processing said data using one or more imaging algorithms; and

displaying said processed data.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein said array of pulse generators can be configured in a randomly distributed manner.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein said monocycle waveform is derived from a gaussian waveform.

13. A device for detecting and profiling geophysical structures and/or properties, comprising:

an array of impulsive seismic sources for generating a sequence of coded pulses in a predetermined direction; and

an array of geophones for sensing data that are representative of a plurality of echoes returned by said geophysical structures and/or properties;

wherein said array of impulsive seismic sources generates a sequence of coded pulses;

wherein said sequence of coded pulses propagates to said geophysical structures and/or properties, causing said geophysical structures and/or properties to return said plurality of echoes; and

wherein each one of said sequence of coded pulses is a pulse in a monocycle waveform.

14. An apparatus for detecting and profiling geophysical structures and/or properties, comprising:

a means for generating a sequence of coded pulses in a monocycle waveform;

a sensing means for sensing data that are representative of a plurality of echoes returned by said geophysical structures and/or properties in response to said sequence of coded pulses propagating to said geophysical structures and/or properties;

a storage means for storing said data for subsequent display or processing;

a processing means for processing said data using one or more imaging algorithms so as to produce a profile of said geophysical structures and/or properties; and

a display means for displaying said profile.

15. A method for detecting and profiling geophysical structures and/or properties, comprising the steps of:

generating a sequence of coded pulses in monocycle waveform;

sensing data that are representative of a plurality of echoes returned by said geophysical structures and/or properties in response to said sequence of coded pulses propagating to said geophysical structures and/or properties;

storing said data for subsequent display or processing;

processing said data using one or more imaging algorithms so as to produce a profile of said geophysical structures and/or properties; and

displaying said profile.