Controllable seismic source

摘要

An apparatus for generating seismic waves includes a housing, a strike surface within the housing, and a hammer movably disposed within the housing. An actuator induces a striking motion in the hammer such that the hammer impacts the strike surface as part of the striking motion. The actuator is selectively adjustable to change characteristics of the striking motion and characteristics of seismic waves generated by the impact. The hammer may be modified to change the physical characteristics of the hammer, thereby changing characteristics of seismic waves generated by the hammer. The hammer may be disposed within a removable shock cavity, and the apparatus may include two hammers and two shock cavities positioned symmetrically about a center of the apparatus.

主权项

1. An apparatus for generating seismic waves, the apparatus comprising:
a housing; a strike surface within the housing; a hammer movably disposed within the housing; a pair of rails extending along a direction of movement of the hammer within the housing and being symmetrically offset from a center of the hammer for guiding movement of the hammer within the housing, the hammer being slidably mounted on the pair of rails; an actuator for inducing a striking motion in the hammer wherein the hammer impacts the strike surface as part of the striking motion, the actuator being selectively adjustable to change characteristics of the striking motion and characteristics of seismic waves generated by the impact; and a mounting assembly configured to couple the apparatus to a hitch receiver of a vehicle in a manner similar to a standard tow hitch so that the apparatus may be completely supported by the vehicle when the apparatus is not deployed.