Ben B Thigpen

US Patent:

45660832, Jan 21, 1986

Filed:

Jun 3, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/500922

Inventors:

Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX

Assignee:

Western Geophysical Company of America - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 138

US Classification:

367 21

Abstract:

A method for optimizing the acoustic signal-to-noise ratio during a useful maximal-length recording cycle within the time frame of a minimal-length recording episode. To implement the method, during an intermittent-tow seismic operation, the noise level due to cable manipulation during an entire recording episode is monitored. A quiet-window of a desired length is established by adjusting the length of the interval during which the seismic cable is at rest. The initiation of a recording cycle is adjusted relative to the quiet window to take maximum advantage of the quiet period.

US Patent:

42141281, Jul 22, 1980

Filed:

Sep 28, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/946897

Inventors:

David B. Bovee - Katy TX
Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX

Assignee:

Western Geophysical Co. of America - Houston TX

International Classification:

H04J 302
G01V 124

US Classification:

370112

Abstract:

In a multichannel seismic system, channel-sequential seismic data samples gathered during a first recording cycle are demultiplexed to sample-sequential format in a core memory. The core memory is divided into pages each of which is addressable in two dimensions by rows and columns as a rectangular matrix. The channel-sequential data samples are serially loaded into the respective pages in channel-sequential order by columns. At the end of the first recording cycle, the data are extracted from the respective pages by rows in sample-sequential order. As the data samples from the first recording cycle are being extracted by rows, data samples from a second recording cycle are loaded serially by rows into the respective pages that were vacated by the extracted data samples of the first recording cycle. Data samples from the second recording cycle are then extracted by columns in sample-sequential order and a third set of data samples is loaded serially in vacated elements of the columns, thereafter to be extracted by rows. The process is repeated for the data samples from additional recording cycles.

US Patent:

50181130, May 21, 1991

Filed:

Jun 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/545571

Inventors:

Booth B. Strange - Houston TX
Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01S 3808

US Classification:

367127

Abstract:

Hydrophones are installed in each tank of a liquid cargo tanker ship. In the unfortunate event that the tanker collides with an obstacle in the water, the hydrophones detect the shock wave due to the collision. The relative first arrival times of the shock wave at the respective hydrophones are measured and the arrival-time differences between two hydrophones of any two different selected pairs of hydrophones is calculated. Hyperbolic lines of constant time difference are projected on a map of the locations of the hydrophones on the ship. The intersection of the lines of position representing the calculated first arrival time differences marks the location of the impact of the ship with the obstacle.

US Patent:

42968275, Oct 27, 1981

Filed:

Jul 10, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/922952

Inventors:

Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX
James A. Porter - Houston TX

Assignee:

Western Geophysical Company of America - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1137
G01V 138

US Classification:

181107

Abstract:

The resistive sensor consists of a pair of electrodes separated by an impervious insulating material. The sensor is mounted adjacent to an exhaust port of an airgun, in the path of the air blast that results when the gun is fired. When the air gun is submerged and not activated, the surrounding water creates a low-resistance path between the electrodes. When the gun is fired, the air blast blows the water away from the electrodes and the resistance between them abruptly increases substantially. A bridge circuit detects the instant of resistance change and generates an electrical transient to mark the time that the gun fired.

US Patent:

43171850, Feb 23, 1982

Filed:

Jun 6, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/156968

Inventors:

Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX
Richard Schiffman - Friendswood TX

Assignee:

Western Geophysical Co. of America - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 138

US Classification:

367 15

Abstract:

A towing link consists of spaced-apart head and tailpieces. The headpiece includes a towing eye and a pair of lugs for receiving the stress members of a streamer and a lead-in cable. The tailpiece defines a pair of bores through which the stress member and electrical conductors of the two cables are inserted and sealed. A pair of mating connector plugs are provided to interconnect corresponding conductors of the two cables. The assembly is enclosed in a watertight plastic boot.

US Patent:

H2801, Jun 2, 1987

Filed:

Jul 31, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/891299

Inventors:

Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 636
H01R 464
H04B 1302
H04R 102

US Classification:

429 7

Abstract:

A connector assembly such that when a first half of the connector receives a second half, a vent hole is defined therethrough. With the second half disconnected and a third half coupled to the first half, the vent hole is sealed.

US Patent:

45410798, Sep 10, 1985

Filed:

Jan 27, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/461399

Inventors:

Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX

Assignee:

Western Geophysical Company of America - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 138
H01B 712

US Classification:

367 19

Abstract:

Selected sections of a seismic streamer cable are provided with an acoustically-triggered compressed gas supply. The acoustic triggering devices associated with each compressed gas supply may be individually addressed by a coded signal. In the event that the streamer cable is severed, the gas supplies of the severed sections of the streamer are used to inflate the jackets of those severed sections so that they will float to the water surface for salvage.

US Patent:

46370005, Jan 13, 1987

Filed:

Jun 21, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/747270

Inventors:

Ben B. Thigpen - Houston TX
E. Eugene Crump - Houston TX
Otis A. Johnston - League City TX
Nathaniel K. McPeek - Anchorage AK
William O. McNeel - Houston TX

Assignee:

Western Geophysical Co. of America - Houston TX

International Classification:

H04R 102
H04R 1700
G01L 700

US Classification:

367172

Abstract:

A ruggedized depth transducer for measuring ambient hydrostatic pressure adjacent an acoustic source wherein the transducer includes a housing having a depth sensor mounted therein. The housing further includes a bore for placing the depth sensor in fluid communication with the ambient pressure. Mounted within the housing bore are a series of mechanical filters for attenuating high-intensity pressure spikes generated by the acoustic source from damaging the depth sensor contained within the housing. The mechanical filters allow gradual changes in ambient pressure to pass into the bore and influence the depth sensor.