US 12,411,255 B2
Device for marine seismic explorations
Stephen Chelminski, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to SERCEL, INC
Appl. No. 18/274,718
Filed by SERCEL, INC., Houston, TX (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 4, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/015202
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 28, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/170029, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 11, 2022.
Application 18/274,718 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/551,770, filed on Dec. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,953,634.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/146,682, filed on Feb. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0118440 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01V 1/137 (2006.01); G01V 1/143 (2006.01)
CPC G01V 1/137 (2013.01) [G01V 1/143 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A seismic source for generating seismic waves under water, the seismic source comprising:
an operating head having plural discharge ports;
a firing chamber attached to the operating head, the firing chamber configured to hold compressed air to be discharged through the plural discharge ports; and
a shuttle assembly having a shaft located within the operating head and the shuttle assembly is configured to prevent the compressed air in the firing chamber to enter the plural discharge ports when in a close state, and to allow the compressed air in the firing chamber to be discharged through the plural discharge ports when in an open state,
wherein, the operating head has an operating chamber and a cushion chamber, the shaft extends into both the operating chamber and the cushion chamber,
wherein the shaft has a longitudinal channel having a varying depth, such that air is released from the operating chamber, through the longitudinal channel, into the cushion chamber, at varied rates of air flow.