A non-invasive method and system for reliably locating underground pipes, particularly non-metallic pipes. The invention uses portable seismic generator to direct seismic waves into the earth at a downrange sampling location suspected to overlie a buried section of pipe. The seismic waves are imbued with a distinctive attribute, such as a predetermined frequency or digital pulse. Upon encountering the pipe, seismic waves are efficiently converted to longitudinal waves which are conducted lengthwise along the pipe to an accessible region. A receiver coupled to the accessible region is tuned to detect vibrations that carry the distinctive attribute. The receiver wirelessly transmits data indicative of the intensity of detected vibrations to a remote communicator which may be attached directly to the seismic generator. By sampling several locations in near vicinity, the most probable location of the buried pipe can be deduced.

It is proposed a positioning assistance system for a vibrator truck, that is configured to determine a vibration point distance between the vibrator truck and the vibration point location; determine a stopping distance for stopping the vibrator truck at a vibration point location, according to a determined current speed of the vibrator truck and according to a speed profile; determine a time for stopping the vibrator truck at the vibration point location according to the current speed of the vibrator truck, when the stopping distance corresponds to said vibration point distance; and trigger the lifting down of the baseplate of the vibratory system, when at least the following condition is met: said stopping time is inferior or equal to a time for lifting down the vibratory system to the ground. Corresponding vibrator truck and method are also proposed.

A seismic source apparatus, configured to be maneuvered by a vehicle over terrain.

The present disclosure relates to an automatic system and method for detecting problematic geological formations ahead of tunnel faces. The automatic system includes a data acquisition module configured to acquire data, a data transmission module configured to transmit the data and a control and data analysis module configured to receive and analyze the data and determine the geological formations ahead of the tunnel faces. The data acquisition module includes at least one three-component detector and a processor. The three-component detector is installed in a borehole in a side wall of the tunnel. The data transmission module includes a synchronous communicator and a signal line with shielding properties. The synchronous communicator is connected with the three-component detector via the signal line. The control and data analysis module includes a host and a control and analysis procedure of the host. The host is connected with the synchronous communicator.

A non-invasive method and system for reliably locating underground pipes, particularly non-metallic pipes. The invention uses portable seismic generator to direct seismic waves into the earth at a downrange sampling location suspected to overlie a buried section of pipe. The seismic waves are imbued with a distinctive attribute, such as a predetermined frequency or digital pulse. Upon encountering the pipe, seismic waves are efficiently converted to longitudinal waves which are conducted lengthwise along the pipe to an accessible region. A receiver coupled to the accessible region is tuned to detect vibrations that carry the distinctive attribute. The receiver wirelessly transmits data indicative of the intensity of detected vibrations to a remote communicator which may be attached directly to the seismic generator. By sampling several locations in near vicinity, the most probable location of the buried pipe can be deduced.

Systems and methods for deploying and using a controlled-frequency downhole seismic source are provided. A downhole seismic source may be placed into a borehole in a geological formation and coupled rigidly to the geological formation via an edge of the borehole. A controlled-frequency seismic signal may be generated sufficient to enable a seismic measurement of the geological formation.

A marine source element is configured to generate seismic waves. The source element includes a body and a source actuator attached to the body and configured to generate the seismic waves. The body is autonomous from a vessel towing streamers along a pre-plot line associated with a seismic survey.

Apparatus for generating shear waves usable in determining shear waves usable in determining distribution and orientation of geologic features in the subsurface among other uses, having a hammer bar with a rod connected to a center position of the hammer bar and having a coil spring therewith and two magnets on each side of the rod to hold the hammer bar in a position to strike the anvil bar.

Apparatus for generating shear waves usable in determining shear waves usable in determining distribution and orientation of geologic features in the subsurface among other uses, having a hammer bar with a rod connected to a center position of the hammer bar and having a coil spring therewith and two magnets on each side of the rod to hold the hammer bar in a position to strike the anvil bar.

A remote control system for a vibratory seismic source that generates seismic signals. The remote control system includes an attachment mechanism configured to be fixedly attached to a component of a vehicle carrier that carries the vibratory seismic source, and a remote control mechanism supported by the attachment mechanism, wherein the remote control mechanism includes first and second command units, each configured to control a baseplate associated with the vibratory seismic source. Each of the first and second command units are configured to be removed from the remote control mechanism while the attachment mechanism is hold in place.