Abstract:
There is disclosed a device for use in evaluating the integrity of soil behind a wall of an infrastructure. The device generally has a frame having a plurality of rests adapted to be received onto the wall during use; a hammer assembly having an actuator fixedly mounted to the frame and a hammer element having a head movably mounted to the frame, the actuator being actuatable to move the head to strike the wall while the plurality of rests hold the frame in a fixed position relative to the wall; and a sensor configured and adapted to sense vibrations of a portion of the wall resulting from the strike and to generate a vibration signal indicative thereof.
Abstract:
Method, source and shuttle configured to generate acoustic waves under water. The shuttle includes a firing piston closing a firing chamber and contributing to holding the compressed gas, and a transitional region connected to the firing piston. The firing chamber and the transitional region define a most restrictive area through which the compressed gas is released toward the at least one exhaust port, the most restrictive area is substantially smooth while the movable shuttle moves toward the open position, and a profile of the transitional region is selected to reduce a high-frequency content of the acoustic waves.
Abstract:
A method of performing a seismic sweep includes forming a composite force profile; constructing a target seismic frequency sweep using the composite force profile; and operating a seismic source using the constructed target frequency seismic sweep.
Abstract:
A breaching apparatus includes an impactor element and a self-contained energy source. The self-contained energy source enables the impactor element to impact a first surface of a structure. The impactor element is configured to transmit a localized shock wave through the structure upon impact. The self-contained energy source is capable of accelerating the impactor element to a velocity sufficient to induce spalling at a second surface of the structure. Multiple breaching apparatuses can be supported by a frame to facilitate simultaneous or successive breaching of the structure. The breaching apparatus can be used in a method to breach a concrete structure.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, a method for operating an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, and a seismic survey system including the accelerated weight drop. The accelerated weight drop, among other elements, may include a striker positionable over a surface, a compressed gas spring configured to drive the striker toward the surface thus creating seismic waves within the surface, and a cushioning means positioned proximate the compressed gas spring for dissipating reflected energy. In this embodiment the striker is slidably coupled to the compressed gas spring.
Abstract:
The invention comprises the generation of seismic signals at a survey site at which seismic sensors are deployed by dropping mass units from an overflying aircraft. The mass units will impact the earth's surface at said survey site to generate seismic signals. The seismic sensors are utilized to detect the resulting seismic signals.
Abstract:
In a bore holes, a plurality of resilient members and plates are piled up alternately to form a laminate, and a deadweight is dropped onto the laminate. The resilient members are deformed due to the impact force of the dropped deadweight to cause bore hole water among the plates to be forced out in the outward direction, and elastic waves to occur in the bore hole wall.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for mass retrieval for an acoustic pulse generator are disclosed herein. In an impulse type seismic generating apparatus an air spring, mechanical spring, controlled pressurization of an air spring or other energy storage medium is employed to use potential energy to raise the impact mass to a resting position above an earth contacting baseplate as quickly as possible after the impact mass strikes the baseplate.
Abstract:
An anti-bounce device for a mass striking a target element, with the device including a counter mass and a linking arrangement for holding the counter mass spaced from the mass and a braking arrangement for delaying the counter mass so as to put the counter mass in phase opposition with the mass as the mass bounces after impact thereby dissipating any bouncing force. The linking arrangement may take the form of a volume of fluid in a chamber provided between the mass and counter mass, and the linking arrangement and braking arrangement may also include a layer of a damping material or deformable or flexible elements acting by friction.
Abstract:
Alignment restoring apparatus for use with seismic shock generators that includes a support frame, a lift frame supported by the support frame, a seismic generator peripherally supported by the lift frame, and a base plate supported by the life frame and arranged to be impacted by the seismic generator. The alignment restoring apparatus includes biasing means located between the lift frame and the base plate to provide a restoring force upon movement of the frame relative to the base plate whereby the initial relationship between the frame and base plate is re-established assuring that the time lapse from initiating the propulsion of the seismic generator toward the base plate to the time of impact therebetween is repeatable.