Patent ID: 8342288
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A method for inducing seismic energy waves in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: providing a seismic transducer apparatus comprising a frame, a baseplate comprising an intermediate plate and a plurality of contact plates, wherein the intermediate plate is attached to the frame, the intermediate plate having a lower intermediate plate surface, the lower intermediate plate surface having a lower intermediate plate surface area, wherein the plurality of contact plates is secured to the lower intermediate plate surface, the contact plates having a lower contact surface for engagement of a surface of an elastic medium, wherein the lower contact surface of each contact plate is substantially flat, each lower contact surface having a contact plate surface area, wherein the sum of the contact plate surface areas is at least about 25 percent to about 75 percent of the lower intermediate plate surface area, a reaction mass supported by the frame; and a driver configured to actuate the reaction mass in a reciprocating motion so as to impart vibratory energy to the baseplate; engaging the ground surface with the plurality of contact plates wherein said contact plates provide a reduced surface area for engagement with a ground surface that is more limited than the lower surface area of the intermediate plate; actuating the reaction mass via the driver in a reciprocating motion; allowing vibratory energy to be imparted to the plurality of contact plates so as to propagate seismic energy waves in the subterranean formation wherein the contact plates reduced surface area minimizes baseplate ringing, harmonics, flexure, and decoupling thereby reducing distortion of seismic energy waves; allowing the seismic energy waves to propagate through the subterranean formation so as to produce reflected and refracted seismic energy waves; and detecting one or more of the reflected and refracted seismic energy waves.