US4100481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrocarbon exploration with display of re-radiated and reflected microwave energy
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1977-01-21
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Granted: 1978-07-11
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Expires: 1997-01-21
Abstract
Abstract In the exploration for hydrocarbon gas, microwave energy is radiated from an antenna transported along a traverse above the surface of the earth. Microwave energy re-radiated from gas seeps is detected. Microwave energy reflected from hard targets along the traverse is also detected. Video monitors simultaneously display the detected re-radiated and reflected microwave energy. In this way, hydrocarbon gas seeps are displayed in relation to topographical features along the traverse.
Inventors
- 👤 Luke S. Gournay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/12; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/04; G01S7/06; G01S7/062; G01S7/41; G01S7/411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of exploring for hydrocarbon gas seeps comprising: (a) transporting an antenna along a traverse above the surface of the earth, (b) radiating from said antenna microwave energy having a transmitter frequency which excites the gas to emit microwave energy at a re-radiated frequency characteristic of a molecular resonance of the particular species of gas, (c) applying the microwave energy received by said antenna to frequency discriminating circuits which produce a first signal representing reflected energy, a second signal representing both re-radiated and background energy, and a third signal representing only background energy, (d) applying said second and third signals to a cancellation circuit to produce a fourth signal representing only re-radiated energy, and (e) simultaneously displaying the re-radiated and reflected microwave energies represented by said first and fourth signals as a display of hydrocarbon gas seeps in relation to topographic features along said traverse.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of exploring for hydrocarbon gas seeps comprising: (a) transporting an antenna along a traverse above the surface of the earth, (b) radiating from said antenna microwave energy having a transmitter frequency which excites the gas to emit microwave energy at a re-radiated frequency characteristic of a molecular resonance of the particular species of gas, (c) applying the microwave energy received by said antenna to frequency discriminating circuits which produce a first signal representing reflected energy, a second signal representing both re-radiated and background energy, and a third signal representing only background energy, (d) applying said second and third signals to a cancellation circuit to produce a fourth signal representing only re-radiated energy, and (e) simultaneously displaying the re-radiated and reflected microwave energies represented by said first and fourth signals as a display of hydrocarbon gas seeps in relation to topographic features along said traverse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said displaying step includes: generating video signals representing the detected reflected and re-radiated microwave energy, and recording said video signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 2 further comprising: applying said video signals to two different video display monitors for displaying the topographic features and gas seeps in side-by-side relation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said displaying step includes: generating video signals representing the detected reflected and re-radiated microwave energy, and applying said video signals to a single video display monitor for displaying said gas seeps superimposed upon said topographic features.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method recited in claim 4 wherein said video display monitor is a color monitor, said method further comprising: displaying the detected reflected energy in one color, and displaying the detected re-radiated energy in a different color.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising: periodically generating pulses of said microwave energy having a transmitter frequency for radiation from said antenna, generating video signals in timed relation with the generation of said pulses, generating sweeps on display indicators in synchronism with said sweep signals, modulating the intensity of the sweep on one indicator with the detected reflected energy for display of said topographic features, and modulating the intensity of the sweep of another display indicator with the detected re-radiated energy for display of said gas seeps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method recited in claim 6 further comprising: rotating said antenna in an arc about said traverse, and positioning the sweep of each display indicator in accordance with the rotation of said antenna in an arc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising: generating a digital navigational display of the latitude and longitude of said antenna as it is transported along said traverse, and simultaneously displaying the detected re-radiated energy and said digital navigational display.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
183 words
A system for identifying a hydrocarbon gas seep comprising: (a) a transmitter for directing a beam of microwave energy into the atmosphere at a transmitted frequency to excite the gas to emit microwave energy at a re-radiated frequency characteristic of a molecular resonance of the particular species of gas, (b) a receiver tuned to produce (i) a first signal in response to microwave signals received at said transmitted frequency and representative of topographic features, (ii) a second signal in response to microwave signals received at said re-radiated frequency, and (iii) a third signal in response to microwave signals received at a frequency other than said transmitted frequency or re-radiated frequency, said third signal being representative of unwanted background radiation over a broadband of frequencies inclusive of said transmitted and re-radiated frequencies, (c) means for determining the difference between said second and third signals to produce a fourth signal representative solely of the microwave energy emitted by the particular species of gas, and (d) means for displaying said first and second signals as a display of hydrocarbon gas seeps in relation to topographic features.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
183 words
A system for identifying a hydrocarbon gas seep comprising: (a) a transmitter for directing a beam of microwave energy into the atmosphere at a transmitted frequency to excite the gas to emit microwave energy at a re-radiated frequency characteristic of a molecular resonance of the particular species of gas, (b) a receiver tuned to produce (i) a first signal in response to microwave signals received at said transmitted frequency and representative of topographic features, (ii) a second signal in response to microwave signals received at said re-radiated frequency, and (iii) a third signal in response to microwave signals received at a frequency other than said transmitted frequency or re-radiated frequency, said third signal being representative of unwanted background radiation over a broadband of frequencies inclusive of said transmitted and re-radiated frequencies, (c) means for determining the difference between said second and third signals to produce a fourth signal representative solely of the microwave energy emitted by the particular species of gas, and (d) means for displaying said first and second signals as a display of hydrocarbon gas seeps in relation to topographic features.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |