Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Signal transducers – Receivers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-10-09
Pihulic, Daniel T. (Department: 3662)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Signal transducers
Receivers
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301195
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to geophones, and in particular to geophones with mounted connectors.
Seismic geophone systems are used to gather seismic data. Existing geophone systems suffer from a number of limitations. These limitations include the necessity for soldered electrical connections and complicated mechanical fasteners which increases both the cost and complexity of assembly and repair.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations of the existing geophone systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a geophone system is provided that includes one or more geophones including a body including an opening defining a cavity, a first circuit board positioned in the cavity, and a seismic detector positioned in the cavity operably coupled to the first circuit board, one or more removable cable connectors positioned in the cavity above the first circuit board, and a cap coupled to the body, the cap including a second printed circuit board operably coupled to the cable connectors and the first circuit board, and cabling operably coupled to the cable connectors.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a geophone system is provided that includes one or more-geophones including a body including an opening defining a cavity, a plurality of slots extending into the cavity, a first circuit board positioned in the cavity, a seismic detector positioned in the cavity operably coupled to the first circuit board, and one or more locking fingers extending from the body, one or more removable cable connectors positioned in the cavity above the first circuit board, the cable connectors extending into the slots, and a cap coupled to the locking fingers, the cap including a second printed circuit board operably coupled to the cable connectors and the first circuit board, and cabling operably coupled to the cable connectors.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a geophone system is provided that includes one or more geophones including a body including an opening defining a cavity, a circuit board positioned in the cavity, and a seismic detector positioned in the cavity operably coupled to the circuit board, one or more removable cable connectors positioned in the cavity on top of the circuit board, and a cap coupled to the body, and cabling operably coupled to the cable connectors.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a geophone element is provided that includes a geophone sensor and a circuit board coupled to the geophone sensor.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a cabling system for use within a geophone system is provided that includes an electrical cable, a housing for the cable, and one or more cable terminations at the ends of the electrical cable.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing for holding geophone sensor components is provided that includes a housing body including an opening comprising a cavity within the body, one or more keying members located within the housing body, and a cap for sealing the housing body.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a bridge device is provided that includes a bridge body, including an interior chamber and exterior walls, and slots defining cable termination supports in the exterior walls.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a rubber pressure seal for sealing geophone system components is provided that includes a body, including a top surface and a bottom surface, and a pressure ridge positioned on the bottom surface of the body.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a gasket device for mating with a housing for holding a geophone sensor is provided that includes exterior walls and an interior chamber.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a cap for sealing a housing body within a geophone system is provided that includes a cap body and one or more screw holes extending through the cap body.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a geophone assembly is provided that includes inserting a geophone sensor element within a body of a housing, placing a bridge in the body of the housing, inserting cabling into the housing body, placing a gasket device on top of the cabling, and sealing the geophone assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of replacing components in a geophone assembly is provided that includes disassembling the geophone assembly, removing a component from within the geophone assembly, replacing the component with a new component, and reassembling the geophone assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3930218 (1975-12-01), Hall, Jr.
patent: 4637001 (1987-01-01), Annoot
patent: 4811311 (1989-03-01), Woodall, Jr. et al.
patent: 5010531 (1991-04-01), McNeel
patent: 5878001 (1999-03-01), McNeel et al.
Input/Ouput, Inc.
Madan Mossman & Sriram PC
Pihulic Daniel T.
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