US 7,467,685 B2
Array seismic fluid transducer source
Gamal Shehab, New Orleans, La. (US); Robert D. Mann, New Orleans, La. (US); Brian Abbott, Belle Chasse, La. (US); James F. Minear, Belle Chasse, La. (US); David Gillis, New Orleans, La. (US); and George R. Kear, New Orleans, La. (US)
Assigned to Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Sugar Land, Tex. (US)
Filed on May 25, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/853,569.
Prior Publication US 2005/0263340 A1, Dec. 01, 2005
Int. Cl. G01V 1/04 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 181—121  [181/111; 181/113; 181/108; 181/114] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for generating a seismic signal in a wellbore, comprising:
an elongated housing configured to be disposed in the wellbore;
a piston slidably disposed in an internal bore in the elongated housing;
a strike plate disposed on the elongated housing proximate one end of the internal bore, wherein the strike plate has a substantially flat surface opposite the side to be hit by the piston such that a majority of fluid waves generated will propagate in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing;
a deflecting mass having a cone-shaped surface disposed in the elongated housing and configured to deflect the fluid waves by the cone-shaped surface into directions that are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing;
a slotted sleeve disposed around the strike plate to allow for fluid communication between fluids outside the elongated housing and fluids in a region between the strike plate and the deflecting mass inside the elongated housing; and
an energizing mechanism configured to move the piston to hit the strike plate.