Scorpion — Revolutionary P-wave Seismic Sound Source

A close view of the black Scorpion sparker, its steel end fitting and knurled cap pointing left, with white SCORPION lettering, a scorpion emblem and TRIDENT RESEARCH along the tube, lying on a navy hard case against a grey-brown backdrop

Since the early 1950’s, seismologists have been searching for the ideal impulsive sound source. From explosive charges to machine-driven hammers weighing hundreds of pounds, seismologists have struggled to achieve an ideal sound source that would provide high amplitude pressure, and be simple to use. If the device were highly portable and safe, then it would be a true breakthrough. Trident scientists and engineers have invested their entire careers in modernizing and miniaturizing sparker technology. The resulting Scorpion™ borehole sparker device holds all high voltage safely captive in the lower unit and operates all day on the energy contained in a single motorcycle battery. Instead of performance that falls off with operating depth, Trident’s Scorpion™ can be employed at depths of several hundred feet, producing full power in any deployment scenario.

And with precise computer controlled discharge timing, modern data processing techniques like tomography are made possible. The secret to Trident’s revolutionary Scorpion™ is the logic-controlled pulse electronics and low power charging design. Scorpion™ is designed to output a consistent energy level with every pulse. With all high energy components located in the sparker head, there are no high voltage power cables or external capacitor banks. Small enough to be used in a 3-inch diameter borehole, Scorpion™ minimizes drilling requirements, and with its significant acoustic amplitude, supports capture at greater distances, expanding the range of surveys and the analyses that can be performed. The simple all-weather control unit is small and lightweight, making Scorpion™ the most portable and simple to use sparker on the market. In a word, it’s revolutionary.

Key features

Safe

All high voltage in lower unit

Portable

Powered by 12-volt battery (not included)
Upper/Lower Units total weight: < 15 lb (7 kg)
Cables available up to 300 ft (90 m) long

Accurate

Timing output: +/- 41 microseconds

Compatible

Industry-standard trigger

Control box output: PT07A-8-3S
Cable: PT06A-8-3P to PT06A-8-3P

Long-lasting

Field-replaceable electrode

Flexible

Selectable p-wave output

Up to .94 bar at 1 meter

A black wheeled hard case opened from above: in grey foam, a control unit with its own lid raised at upper left, the black Scorpion sparker tube lying diagonally across the middle, and a coil of lead with red battery clamps at lower right

A black rugged case seen from the front left, its lid raised, with a black control panel on top carrying the SCORPION name, three toggle switches, one with a red lever, a red button and indicator lights, and three large capped connectors across the front face beside a black carry handle on the right

A heavy black cable coiled in a loop, with a round steel-and-black connector at one end and a red-sleeved military-style connector with a dust cap at the other

A black two-conductor lead with a red and a black battery clamp at one end and a round steel multi-pin connector at the other

The black Scorpion sparker tube standing upright, white SCORPION and TRIDENT RESEARCH lettering up its side and a steel end fitting with a knurled cap at the bottom

Scorpion — Revolutionary P‑wave Seismic Sound Source