Earth analysis methods, subsurface feature detection methods, earth analysis devices, and articles of manufacture
First Claim
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1. A subsurface feature detection method comprising:
- receiving a sensor signal indicative of a signature of a signal imparted to the earth by a movable member responsive to a vibratory source and concurrently responsive to reflected acoustic waves in a single substantially lineal direction;
wherein the vibratory source operates at a plurality of frequencies at different moments in time;
for two or more frequencies among the plurality of frequencies, determining magnitudes of the sensor signal;
identifying at least one point of zero slope for the sensor signal using the magnitudes; and
providing information regarding a subsurface feature of the earth using the at least one point of zero slope.
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Abstract
Earth analysis methods, subsurface feature detection methods, earth analysis devices, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one embodiment, an earth analysis method includes engaging a device with the earth, analyzing the earth in a single substantially lineal direction using the device during the engaging, and providing information regarding a subsurface feature of the earth using the analysis.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A subsurface feature detection method comprising:
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receiving a sensor signal indicative of a signature of a signal imparted to the earth by a movable member responsive to a vibratory source and concurrently responsive to reflected acoustic waves in a single substantially lineal direction;
wherein the vibratory source operates at a plurality of frequencies at different moments in time;for two or more frequencies among the plurality of frequencies, determining magnitudes of the sensor signal; identifying at least one point of zero slope for the sensor signal using the magnitudes; and providing information regarding a subsurface feature of the earth using the at least one point of zero slope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An earth analysis method, comprising:
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imparting vibrational energy to a movable member along a substantially lineal direction of movement; engaging the earth with a substantially flat face portion of the movable member that is substantially perpendicular to the substantially lineal direction while imparting vibrational energy; and sensing a signal responsive to the movement of the movable member along the substantially lineal direction;
wherein the signal is indicative of a signature of the signal imparted to the earth by the movable member responsive to a vibratory source and concurrently responsive to reflected acoustic waves in a single substantially lineal direction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An article of manufacture including media comprising programming configured to cause processing circuitry to:
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access data representing motion of a sensor comprising a signal indicative of a signature of a signal imparted to the earth by a movable member responsive to a vibratory source and concurrently responsive to reflected acoustic waves in a single substantially lineal direction;
wherein the vibratory source operating sequentially at a plurality of frequencies;for individual ones of the frequencies among the plurality of frequencies, determine a magnitude of the data representing a time period in which the vibratory source operates at the individual ones of the frequencies; identify at least one point of zero slope using the magnitudes at one or more of the individual ones of the frequencies; identify a feature in the earth using the at least one point of zero slope. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification