Vertical geophone having improved distortion characteristics

• US 8,050,144 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2009
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geospace Technologies, LP (Geospace Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Geospace Technologies, LP (Geospace Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Woo, Daniel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOBO, IAN J
• Application Number:
  US12/499,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20110007609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 367182-187
• US Class Current: 367/187
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/182 with moving coil

Abstract

A vertical geophone that includes a lower frequency spring, which forms part of the geophone electrical circuit, that is positioned directly on the lower end cap This arrangement eliminates the “spring supported by a spring” arrangement of prior art geophones to minimize geophone distortion and simplify tuning of the frequency springs. A contact spring is positioned between the lower frequency spring and the lower pole piece for forming part of the geophone electrical circuit. One surface of contact spring includes a plurality of wiper surfaces that ensure consistent sliding electrical contact against either the bottom surface of the lower pole piece or the upper surface of the lower frequency spring. The obverse surface of the contact spring is preferably spot welded to the other adjacent member.

Claims

1. A geophone (110) comprising:

a cylindrical magnet (114);

upper and lower pole piece caps (116, 118) receiving the upper and lower ends of said magnet (114), respectively;

a tubular outer cylindrical housing (120), said magnet (114) and upper and lower pole piece caps (116, 118) being coaxially received within and connected to said housing (120) and defining an annular region within said housing (120);

upper and lower end caps (128, 126) connected to the upper and lower ends of said housing (120), respectively, said magnet (114) and said upper and lower pole piece caps (116, 118) being coaxially centered within said housing (120) and captured by said upper and lower end caps (128, 126);

an electrical coil (140, 142) disposed in said annular region and movable in an axial direction with respect to said housing (120) whereby an electrical potential is induced in said coil (140, 142) by movement of said coil (140, 142) relative to said housing (120), said coil having first and second electrical leads (182, 180);

an electrically conductive lower spring (134) rigidly carried by said lower end cap (126), said lower spring (134) resiliently supporting said coil (140, 142), said lower spring electrically connected to said first electrical lead (182); and

an electrically conductive contact spring (136) disposed and compressed between said lower spring (134) and said lower pole piece cap (118), whereby said contact spring provides a rotatable electrical connection between said lower spring (134) and said lower pole piece cap (118).

2. The geophone (110) of claim 1 wherein:

wherein an upper surface (193) of said contact spring (136) includes a resilient wiper (195).

3. The geophone (110) of claim 1 wherein:

wherein a lower surface (197) of said contact spring (136) is spot welded to said lower spring (134).

4. The geophone (110) of claim 1 wherein:

wherein an upper surface (193) of said contact spring (136) includes a plurality of resilient wipers (195) which are integrally formed in said contact spring (136).

5. An improved vertical geophone assembly (110) of the type having a casing (120), a permanent magnet (114) mounted in said casing (120), and an inertial member (130) having a signal-producing induction coil (140, 142) wound thereon, said induction coil (140, 142) having upper and lower signal output leads (180, 182), the inertial member (130) and said induction coil (140, 142) being resiliently suspended by a lower spring (134) for axial motion relative to the magnetic field of said permanent magnet (114), the geophone having an electrical signal path between said magnet (114) and said lower signal output lead (182) that accommodates unlimited rotation of said induction coil (140, 142) within said casing (120), the improvement comprising:

an electrical connection between said lower signal output lead (182) and said lower spring (134);

a lower end cap (126) connected to the lower end of said casing (120);

said lower spring (134) being rigidly carried by said lower end cap (126); and

a contact spring (136) disposed between said lower spring (134) and said permanent magnet (114), said contact spring providing revolvable electrical continuity between said lower spring (134) and said permanent magnet (114).

6. The geophone (110) of claim 5 wherein:

wherein an upper surface (193) of said contact spring (136) includes a resilient wiper (195) that provides movable electrical continuity between said permanent magnet (114) and said contact spring (136).

7. The geophone (110) of claim 5 wherein:

wherein a lower surface (197) of said contact spring (136) is spot welded to said lower spring (134).

8. The geophone (110) of claim 5 wherein:

wherein an upper surface (193) of said contact spring (136) includes a plurality of resilient wipers (195) which are integrally formed in said contact spring (136).

9. The geophone (110) of claim 5 further comprising:

a pole piece (118) disposed between said contact spring (136) and said permanent magnet (114), said pole piece (118) being electrically connected to permanent magnet (114) and in physical contact with said plurality of resilient wipers (195).