Seismic Source Installation/Anchoring System and Method

Abstract

A seismic source system uses at least one seismic source, a screw in piling ground anchor installed into the earth/ground and means of coupling the energy from the seismic source to the screw in piling ground anchor.

Claims

1: A seismic source system, comprising: a seismic source; a screw in piling ground anchor installed into the earth; and a means of coupling energy from the seismic source to the screw in piling ground anchor.

2: The seismic source system of claim 1, wherein the screw in piling ground anchor is permanently installed into the earth at a first fixed location.

3: The seismic source system of claim 2, comprising a second screw in piling ground anchor permanently installed at a second fixed location.

4: The seismic source system of claim 3, wherein the seismic source can be moved between, and coupled to, each of the first and second fixed locations.

5: The seismic source system of claim 1, wherein the seismic source is permanently affixed to the screw in piling.

6: The seismic source system of claim 1, wherein the seismic source can be controlled from a remote location.

7: The seismic source system of claim 1, wherein the screw in piling is screwed into the earth to a predetermined torque that is calculated to provide a sufficient bearing load as needed for the force generated by the seismic source.

8: The seismic source system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors that detect vibration from the seismic source or other seismic sources or events.

9: The seismic source of claim 1, wherein a seismic sensor is attached to the screw in piling.

10: The seismic source of claim 1, wherein the seismic source is vibratory.

11: The seismic source of claim 1, wherein the seismic source is impulsive.

12: The seismic source of claim 1, wherein the seismic source is selected from the group consisting of a rotary vibrator, a linear vibrator and a rotary vibrator that produces linear vibratory motion.

13: The seismic source of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is via one or more mechanical fasteners.

14: The seismic source of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is selected from the group consisting of welding or adhesive bonding.

15: A process for creating a seismic source system, comprising the steps of: (1) screwing a screw in piling into a ground surface to a predetermined torque calculated to provide a sufficient bearing load for force generated by a seismic source to be used with the screw in piling; and (2) coupling the seismic source to the screw in piling.

16: The process of clam 15, wherein steps 1 and 2 are repeated at least once.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate examples of screw in pilings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is generally directed to a seismic source system and installation and anchoring method which uses at least one seismic source, a screw in piling type ground anchor installed into the earth/ground, and means of coupling the energy from the seismic source to the screw in piling ground anchor.

[0010] A typical screw in piling can be anywhere from a few feet long to upwards of 50 feet long. (These pilings are regularly used to install street light poles, foundations, etc., as a more economical means than using cement.) In a preferred embodiment, the top of the screw in piling has a mounting plate that is compatible with mounting a vibratory seismic source. A screw in piling provides excellent mechanical coupling to the earth in both compression and tension which is a must for this application. Cement/concrete pilings are excellent in compression but are typically weak in tension requiring substantial reinforcement. Pounded in pilings rely primarily on friction and are therefore their performance in tension and compression is not uniform or predictable.

[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 show examples of screw in pilings; note that the length of the screw in piling can be varied depending upon the depth to good load bearing soil. The length of the screw in piling should be adjusted to ensure the helix is fastened into good load bearing soil. One or more helixes can be attached to the screw in piling shaft, as desired for the particular application.

[0012] Once installed, the load (seismic source) can be attached and used immediately. Multiple screw in pilings can be temporarily or permanently installed at desired locations optimized for obtaining the best subsurface information.

[0013] In other aspects of the present invention, the seismic source can be vibratory, impulsive, a rotary vibrator, a linear vibrator, or a rotary vibrator that produces linear vibratory motion. The coupling means can be via one or more mechanical fasteners, via welding, or via adhesive bonding. The seismic source can be electrically powered, pneumatically powered, or hydraulically powered. The screw in piling ground anchor can be permanently installed, or multiple screw in piling ground anchors can be permanently installed at fixed locations to facilitate repeated seismic surveys, or the seismic source can be designed to be moved and coupled to various previously installed screw in piling ground anchors to perform a seismic survey. In the context of the present invention, permanently installed does not mean that the screw in piling could never be reversed and removed, just that there is a standard process for doing so, and that the predetermined amount of torque required to reverse it, is much above any naturally occurring forces or the vibratory forces of the seismic source. In other words, it is permanent until one desires to remove it. The predetermined installation torque is calculated to provide a sufficient bearing load (with adequate safety factor) as needed for the force generated by any seismic source used with it. The seismic source can be designed to be permanently affixed to an individual screw in piling anchor system, where one or more screw in pilings can be installed for large area and/or repeated seismic surveys, and the seismic source can be controlled/actuated from a remote location. The screw in piling can be screwed in to the earth/ground to a predetermined torque that is calculated to provide sufficient bearing load as needed for the force generated by the particular seismic source being used.

[0014] It is worth noting that a seismic source system in accordance with the present invention is much simpler and less expensive to install that conventional seismic source systems, so such a system can include more screw in pilings fitted with sensors or seismic sources. In addition, because of the way a screw in piling is installed, it will be at ground surface, which makes any sensor or seismic source mounted to it much more accessible for removal and/or servicing, which represents a significant improvement over the current state of the art. Accordingly, the present invention provides a seismic receiver system in which the screw in piling ground anchor serves as a simple and easy way to install, protect, and couple downhole seismic sensors to the earth, essentially providing the equivalent of a well bore used for observation, cross well surveys, etc.

[0015] While the invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Additional embodiments thereof will be obvious to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this detailed description.

[0016] Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that still further changes and modifications in the actual concepts described herein can readily be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed inventions.