Patent ID: 7395897
Filing Date: 2008-07-08
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. An accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, comprising: a strike plate positionable on a surface; a striker positionable over said strike plate; a housing at least partially surrounding the striker; an impact isolator rigidly coupled to said housing and slidably coupled to said strike plate, wherein said impact isolator comprises a plate having a slot formed therein; an anvil rigidly coupled to said strike plate; a pin coupled to the anvil, said pin slidably coupled within said slot, wherein said pin facilitates self-alignment of said strike plate; a compressed gas spring, said striker slidably coupled to said compressed gas spring, and said striker and said compressed gas spring rotatably coupled to said strike plate about an axis, said compressed gas spring configured to drive said striker toward said strike plate, thus creating seismic waves within said surface; and a first cushioning element positioned proximate said compressed gas spring and positioned to dissipate reflected energy occurring through said striker during creation of said seismic waves.