Seismic energy source

摘要

A seismic energy source for producing pressure pulses is disclosed. The source contains a substantially symmetrical main chamber for storing compressed fluid. Two shuttles adapted to abut against each other are slideably placed around the housing to sealingly enclose the chamber. A separate control chamber for each shuttle is formed to urge its associated shuttle against the other shuttle when pressurized fluid is supplied to the control chamber. A separate firing chamber is formed for each shuttle between the shuttle and the housing. The firing chambers are activated by the fluid from the main chamber to simultaneously move both the shuttles away from each other to allow the compressed fluid to discharge from the main chamber into the surrounding medium. A separate relief valve is connected between each control chamber and the main chamber which allows the fluids from the control chamber to discharge into the main chamber when the control chamber pressure exceeds the main chamber pressure by a predetermined value.