Acquisition and transmission module and offshore seismic exploration acquisition cable using same

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of marine exploration equipment, and discloses an acquisition and transmission module and an offshore seismic exploration acquisition cable using the same. The acquisition and transmission module is embedded in a reserved window of an acquisition cable, and comprises two waterproof end blocks which are in fusion connection with a cable core wire and a cable sheath layer and are used for axial limiting and end sealing; the protective shell is internally provided with a space for accommodating the acquisition control circuit board; the two fixing end caps are used for fixing the shell; the limiting assembly is composed of a lining ring, a limiting block and a limiting supporting column and connected between the waterproof end block and the fixing end cap. The acquisition and transmission module fills gaps of all parts through an internal adhesive structure so as to be solidified into a whole, and the exterior is integrally wrapped by an injection molding protective layer. According to the acquisition and transmission module, the problems that the module is easy to loosen, poor in sealing and difficult to maintain in a complex marine environment are solved, and the stability and reliability of seismic data acquisition are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine exploration equipment technology, specifically to a data acquisition and transmission module and a marine seismic exploration data acquisition cable using the same. Background Technology

[0002] Marine seismic exploration is a crucial method for obtaining information about seabed geological structures. During operations, the exploration vessel tows a data acquisition cable several kilometers long, with numerous geophones spaced at regular intervals along the cable to receive seismic wave signals generated by artificial seismic sources and reflected back from the subsurface strata. The acquisition and transmission module, the core electronic unit embedded in the acquisition cable, is responsible for sending acquisition commands to the geophones, receiving analog signals from the geophones and performing amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, and other processing, ultimately uploading the digitized seismic data to the shipboard recording system.

[0003] Due to the extremely complex and harsh marine operating environment, data acquisition cables need to be frequently deployed and retracted, and withstand continuous impacts from ocean currents and waves. This places extremely high demands on the long-term operational stability of the embedded data acquisition and transmission modules. Currently, such modules generally face the following technical challenges: First, traditional data acquisition and transmission modules are mainly fixed to the data acquisition cable body by adhesive or simple clips. Under the dynamic conditions of repeated bending and twisting of the data acquisition cable, the data acquisition and transmission module is prone to axial movement, radial rotation, or shaking within the cable body. This micro-movement can gradually lead to the failure of the outer protective layer of the module, and the fatigue breakage or poor contact of the internal connection lines (especially the welding points with the cable core wires), resulting in signal transmission interruption or increased noise, seriously affecting the data acquisition quality. Second, in order to improve the overall waterproof and mechanical protection performance of the data acquisition and transmission module, overall potting or one-time encapsulation processes are usually adopted. However, once the internal circuit fails, repair is extremely difficult, often requiring damage to the cable sheath or even the entire data acquisition and transmission module. Repair costs are high, the cycle is long, and this seriously affects the efficiency of exploration operations. Furthermore, the acquisition cable needs to have a certain degree of bending flexibility and axial extensibility to adapt to towing operations, while the electronic components inside the acquisition and transmission module require a rigid and stable working environment. Traditional designs cannot ensure the structural rigidity of the acquisition and transmission module while being compatible with the overall flexibility requirements of the cable, which can easily lead to stress concentration at the joint between the two and accelerate structural aging.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a solution that can fundamentally address the challenges of stability, reliability, and maintainability of acquisition and transmission modules in complex marine dynamic environments, while also adapting to the physical characteristics of acquisition cables, thereby ensuring efficient, continuous, and reliable operation of seismic data acquisition. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To ensure that the acquisition and transmission module can maintain structural stability, electrical reliability, and ease of maintenance in the dynamic and harsh marine towed cable operation environment, this invention proposes an acquisition and transmission module and a marine seismic exploration acquisition cable using the same.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a data acquisition and transmission module is provided, comprising a reserved window embedded in the cable body of a data acquisition cable. The reserved window is formed by cutting along the axial direction of the data acquisition cable body and removing part of the foamed float layer and the cable sheath layer. The reserved window exposes the cable core wire and forms an axial extension space for accommodating the data acquisition and transmission module. The data acquisition and transmission module includes: two waterproof end blocks located at the axial ends of the reserved window, which are fused to the cable core wire and the cable sheath layer to achieve axial positioning and end sealing of the data acquisition and transmission module; a protective housing located at the center of the reserved window, including two sub-protective housings interlocked with each other outside the cable core wire, each sub-protective housing having a space for accommodating a data acquisition control circuit board; and two fixed end caps connected to the axial ends of the protective housing for fixed connection and interlocking. The system comprises two sub-protective housings; a limiting assembly located between the waterproof end block and the fixed end cap, the limiting assembly including an inner liner ring abutting between the waterproof end block and the fixed end cap and sleeved on the outside of the cable core, a limiting block sleeved and fixed on the outside of the inner liner ring, and a limiting support column with one end inserted into the waterproof end block and the other end inserted into the limiting block; the fixed end cap sleeved on the outside of the inner liner ring and located between the limiting block and the protective housing; an injection-molded protective layer covering the exterior of the protective housing, the fixed end cap, the limiting assembly, and part of the cable sheath layer to form an overall protective structure; and an internal adhesive structure formed by cured filler adhesive, the filler adhesive filling at least the gaps between the protective housing and the fixed end cap, between the inner liner ring and the limiting block and the fixed end cap, between the inner wall of the inner liner ring and the outer surface of the cable core, and between the limiting support column and the waterproof end block and the limiting block, so that the internal structure of the module is cured into one piece.

[0007] Furthermore, the inner liner ring includes an axially extending cylindrical inner liner surface, a radially protruding shoulder at one end of the inner liner surface, and a sealing protrusion ring disposed on the inner surface of the shoulder; the shoulder cooperates with the end face of the limiting block to achieve axial positioning, and the sealing protrusion ring is used to seal the annular gap between the inner liner ring and the cable core wire during glue injection. Furthermore, the limiting block is ring-shaped, with a through hole at its center for the inner lining ring to pass through, and an assembly recessed ring on the inner circumferential wall at one end of the through hole for engaging with the ring shoulder of the inner lining ring; the ring body of the limiting block is provided with a plurality of first limiting holes for engaging with the limiting support post, and at least one guide hole communicating with the through hole.

[0008] Furthermore, the limiting support includes a first insertion part and a second insertion part that are offset in the axial direction. The first insertion part is inserted into the waterproof end block, and the second insertion part is inserted into the first limiting hole of the limiting block.

[0009] Furthermore, the waterproof end block is ring-shaped, with a wire hole in the center for the cable core wire to pass through, and one end face is an assembly end face for abutting with the limiting block. The ring body has multiple second limiting holes along the circumference for inserting the first plug-in part, and the outer surface of the ring body has grooves for enhancing the fusion connection strength with the cable sheath layer.

[0010] Furthermore, each sub-protective housing of the protective housing is provided with: an arc-shaped through hole located inside for accommodating the acquisition and control circuit board; reinforcing ribs distributed on the inner surface of the arc-shaped through hole; a first through hole formed between the two sub-protective housings after they are fastened together for the cable core wire to pass through; a grounding screw hole located on the sub-protective housing; a connection hole located on the circumference of the sub-protective housing for connecting with the fixed end cap; a wire compartment located on the inner end of the sub-protective housing for winding the connecting line; and a first assembly end face located on the axial end of the sub-protective housing for cooperating with the fixed end cap.

[0011] Furthermore, the fixed end cap includes two mating halves, each half having: a second mounting end face located axially inside the half for axial engagement and initial positioning with the first mounting end face; a mounting cut surface located circumferentially to the second mounting end face and angled to it, having a fixing screw hole thereon; the mounting cut surface is configured such that when the first mounting end face of the protective housing is axially engaged with the second mounting end face, rotating the protective housing around the axis of the cable core by a preset angle allows the connecting hole on the protective housing to align with the fixing screw hole, thereby achieving circumferential fixation with fasteners; a wire-passing hole end face located axially outside the half, having a semi-circular second wire-passing hole; and a second snap-fit ​​end face located radially outside the half; wherein the two halves are interlocked and snapped together by the second snap-fit ​​end faces, so that the second mounting end faces of both halves together form an annular interface that engages with the first mounting end face, and the second wire-passing holes of both halves together form a complete circular channel for the cable core to pass through.

[0012] Furthermore, the waterproof end block, limiting block, inner liner ring, limiting support, and injection-molded protective layer 23 are all made of polymer materials; the fixed end cap is made of inorganic non-metallic materials; and the protective shell is made of metallic materials.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a marine seismic exploration acquisition cable is provided, comprising: a cable body having cable cores arranged axially inside, and a foamed float layer and a cable sheath layer sequentially wrapped from the inside out; multiple sets of geophones spaced apart along the axial direction of the cable body; and at least one of the aforementioned acquisition and transmission modules, located between two adjacent sets of geophones and embedded in a reserved window in the cable body; wherein, an acquisition control circuit board located in one of the two sub-protective shells is connected to a first set of geophones located in front of it via a first set of connection lines, for controlling the first set of geophones and acquiring their seismic data; an acquisition control circuit board located in the other of the two sub-protective shells is connected to a second set of geophones located behind it via a second set of connection lines, for controlling the second set of geophones and acquiring their seismic data; each acquisition control circuit board also communicates with an external system via the cable cores to receive acquisition commands and upload the acquired seismic data.

[0014] Furthermore, within the acquisition and transmission module, the cable core wires are cut off; both the first and second sets of connection lines include: a detector control acquisition line for connecting and controlling the detectors, a communication line for communicating with external systems, a transmission line for uploading seismic data, and a ground wire; the first and second sets of connection lines are led out from both ends of the protective housing along the axial direction and welded to the corresponding conductors drawn from both ends of the cut cable core wires; each group of detectors is connected in parallel to the corresponding detector control acquisition line.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, the acquisition and transmission module of this invention and the marine seismic exploration acquisition cable using it have the following advantages: At the physical level, the acquisition and transmission module works by combining structural over-constraint and material buffering principles. Rigid components (such as protective shells and fixed end caps) are connected to the cable anchor points through limiting components, forming a stable load-bearing skeleton. Flexible polymer components (waterproof end blocks, limiting blocks, inner lining rings, limiting supports, and injection-molded protective layers) act as buffering media, absorbing and dispersing the vibration and deformation energy transmitted by the cable, protecting the internal precision circuitry, and simultaneously meeting the bending, expansion, and waterproofing requirements for offshore cable operations. At the electrical functional level, the acquisition and transmission module works as a distributed intelligent node. The shipborne system sends commands through the communication line in the cable core. The dual acquisition control circuit boards within the acquisition and transmission module independently decode the commands, synchronously driving all detectors (connected in parallel) on their respective control acquisition lines to acquire seismic signals. After amplification and analog-to-digital conversion within the module, the signals are transmitted back to the shipborne system via the transmission line. The entire operation relies on the interference-free and stable operating environment provided by the aforementioned physically stable structure.

[0016] The acquisition and transmission module and the marine seismic exploration acquisition cable of this invention effectively solve the problems of loosening and rotation of the acquisition and transmission module within the cable body through multi-level limiting and integrated anchoring design, thus greatly increasing reliability. The encapsulation process, combining adhesive curing and integral injection molding, achieves military-grade protection while retaining the non-destructive repair capability of the core electronic compartment, resolving the traditional contradiction between high protection and maintainability. The modular layout and parallel welding wiring of the dual acquisition control circuit boards optimize the architecture at the system level, reducing failure points and significantly improving the overall operational efficiency and economic efficiency of the acquisition cable. Therefore, the acquisition and transmission module and the marine seismic exploration acquisition cable of this invention, through the above-mentioned integrated structural design, fundamentally solve the problems of stability, reliability, and maintainability of the acquisition and transmission module in complex marine dynamic environments, while adapting to the physical characteristics of the acquisition cable, thereby effectively ensuring the efficient, continuous, and reliable operation of seismic data acquisition. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the acquisition and transmission module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the acquisition and transmission module at point B according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the external structure of the acquisition and transmission module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the injection-molded protective layer is shown; Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 The diagram shows the structural arrangement of the inner lining ring and the limiting block. Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the waterproof end block; Figure 6 It shows Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the protective casing. Figure 7 It shows Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the fixed end cap. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the installation structure of the acquisition and transmission module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the internal adhesive structure in the acquisition and transmission module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a marine seismic exploration acquisition cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 11 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the acquisition and transmission module and the cable core wires is provided. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0019] Figures 1 to 3 The structure of the acquisition and transmission module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. (In conjunction with...) Figures 1 to 3 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the acquisition and transmission module 100 is embedded in a reserved window A within the cable body of the acquisition cable. The reserved window A is formed by cutting along the axial direction of the acquisition cable body and removing part of the foamed float layer 21 and the cable sheath layer 1. The reserved window A exposes the cable core wire 2 and forms an axial extension space to accommodate the acquisition and transmission module 100. The acquisition and transmission module 100 may include: two waterproof end blocks 10, located at opposite ends of the reserved window A, which are fused together with both the cable core wire 2 and the cable sheath layer 1 to achieve axial positioning and end sealing of the acquisition and transmission module 100; and a protective housing 4, located at the center of the reserved window A, comprising two sub-protective housings interlocked with each other outside the cable core wire 2, each sub-protective housing having a space for accommodating the acquisition and transmission module 100. The space includes a control circuit board; two fixed end caps 6, respectively connected to the axial ends of the protective housing 4, for fixing the two interlocking sub-protective housings; a limiting assembly located between the waterproof end block 10 and the fixed end caps 6, the limiting assembly including an inner liner ring 3 abutting between the waterproof end block 10 and the fixed end caps 6 and sleeved on the outside of the cable core wire 2, a limiting block 8 sleeved and fixed on the outside of the inner liner ring 3, and a limiting support 9 with one end inserted into the waterproof end block 10 and the other end inserted into the limiting block 8; the fixed end caps 6 sleeved on the outside of the inner liner ring 3 and located between the limiting block 8 and the protective housing 4; an injection-molded protective layer 23 covering the outside of the protective housing 4, the fixed end caps 6, the limiting assembly and part of the cable sheath layer 1, forming an overall protective structure; and an internal adhesive structure located as shown in the image. Figure 9The red lines shown are formed by the cured filler adhesive. The filler adhesive fills at least the gaps between the protective shell 4 and the fixed end cap 6, between the inner liner ring 3 and the limiting block 8 and the fixed end cap 6, between the inner wall of the inner liner ring 3 and the outer surface of the cable core wire 2, and between the limiting support 9 and the waterproof end block 10 and the limiting block 8, so that the internal structure of the module is cured into one piece.

[0020] When the acquisition and transmission module 100 of this embodiment is working, the module components are first assembled sequentially in the reserved window A of the cable: two waterproof end blocks 10 are simultaneously fused with the cable core wire 2 and the cable sheath layer 1 to form a fixed anchor point; the limiting components (inner liner ring 3, limiting block 8, limiting support 9) are assembled in between, connecting the waterproof end block 10 and the fixed end cap 6 in series; the two sub-protective shells of the protective shell 4 are snapped together and fixed by the fixed end cap 6; then filler glue is injected, the glue fills all gaps and cures, making the internal structure integrated; finally, the outermost injection molded protective layer 23 is formed by overall injection molding.

[0021] In the acquisition and transmission module 100 of this embodiment, the design of the module being embedded in the reserved window A of the cable body ensures its structural integration and fluid shape with the acquisition cable body; two waterproof end blocks 10, which are doubly fused with the cable core 2 and the cable sheath layer 1, constitute the module's immovable axial anchoring point and the first end seal; the limiting component composed of the inner lining ring 3, the limiting block 8, and the limiting support 9 forms a dynamic mechanical management system that transmits constraints and buffers vibrations, effectively preventing radial rotation and shaking of the core components; the snap-fit ​​protective shell 4 and the locking fixed end cap 6, while achieving the bearing and protection of the precision circuit, retain the key openability for maintenance; the adhesive structure filling all internal gaps makes the mechanical connection interfaces lose their micro-movement ability, fusing them into an internally rigid whole, eliminating wear and loosening; finally, the external integral injection-molded protective layer 23 provides the ultimate integrated environmental protection. These interconnected designs form a robust triple-layered defense: the first layer is a mechanical constraint defense (anchoring of the waterproof end block 10 and anti-rotation buffering of the limiting components) to resist external dynamic loads; the second layer is an internal injection molding and curing defense to eliminate internal micro-movements and integrate the disparate components; and the third layer is an external injection-molded protective layer 23 encapsulation defense, providing ultimate environmental sealing and physical protection. This ensures that the electronic module can operate stably and reliably for a long time in extreme marine dynamic environments, while also guaranteeing necessary maintainability.

[0022] In such Figure 4In the preferred embodiment shown, the inner liner ring 3 may include an axially extending cylindrical inner liner surface 31, a radially protruding shoulder 32 located at one end of the inner liner surface 31, and a sealing protrusion ring 33 disposed on the inner surface of the shoulder 32. The shoulder 32 cooperates with the end face 84 of the limiting block 8 to achieve axial positioning. The cable core wire 2 passes through the inner liner ring wire hole 34. The sealing protrusion ring 33 is used to seal the annular gap between the inner liner ring 3 and the cable core wire 2 during glue injection. The cooperation between the shoulder 32 and the limiting block 8 provides precise axial positioning for the inner liner ring 3, a core force-transmitting component, ensuring the positional certainty of the inner liner ring 3 when transmitting constraint force. The sealing protrusion ring 33 can effectively seal the annular gap between the inner liner ring 3 and the cable core wire 2 during glue injection, preventing improper glue overflow and ensuring that this critical gap is reliably filled, thereby enhancing the integrity of the internal structure. In such Figure 4 In the preferred embodiment shown, the limiting block 8 may be annular, with a through hole at its center for the inner lining ring 3 to pass through. The inner circumferential wall at one end of the through hole has a mounting recess 81 for engaging with the shoulder 32 of the inner lining ring 3. The ring body of the limiting block 8 has multiple first limiting holes 82 spaced circumferentially for insertion into the limiting support column 9, and at least one guide hole 83 communicating with the through hole. In this embodiment, the mounting recess 81 and the shoulder 32 of the inner lining ring cooperate to form a reliable axial positioning mechanism. The design of the guide hole 83 is crucial; it provides a dedicated channel for the filling adhesive to flow from the outside into the critical gaps between the limiting block 8 and the inner lining ring 3, ensuring the sufficiency and reliability of the adhesive injection process.

[0023] In such Figure 4 In the preferred embodiment shown, the limiting support 9 may include a first insertion portion 91 and a second insertion portion 92 that are axially offset. The first insertion portion 91 is inserted into the waterproof end block 10, and the second insertion portion 92 is inserted into the first limiting hole 82 of the limiting block 8. The axially offset first insertion portion 91 and second insertion portion 92 enable the limiting support 9 to effectively constrain the relative rotation between the waterproof end block 10 and the limiting block 8 when connecting them, thereby enhancing the anti-rotation rigidity of the entire limiting assembly.

[0024] In such Figure 5 In the preferred embodiment shown, the waterproof end block 10 may be annular, with a wire hole 103 at its center for the cable core 2 to pass through. One end face is an assembly end face 102 for abutting against the limiting block 8. The ring body has multiple second limiting holes 101 along its circumference for inserting the first insertion part 91. The outer surface of the ring body has grooves 104 to enhance the fusion connection strength with the cable sheath layer 1. The design of the grooves 104 significantly increases the contact area and mechanical interlocking effect between its outer surface and the cable sheath layer 1, making the fusion connection more robust and greatly improving its reliability as an axial fixing anchor point.

[0025] In such Figure 6 and Figure 9 In the preferred embodiment shown, each sub-protective housing 4 may have the following features: an arc-shaped through-hole 41 located inside for accommodating the acquisition and control circuit board; reinforcing ribs 42 distributed on the inner surface of the through-hole; a first through-hole 43 formed between the two sub-protective housings after they are fastened together by the first fastening end face 47 for the cable core wire 2 to pass through; a grounding screw hole 44 located on the sub-protective housing; a connection hole 45 located circumferentially on the sub-protective housing for connecting to the fixed end cap 6; a wire compartment 46 located on the inner end of the sub-protective housing for coiling the connecting lines; and a first mounting end face 48 located on the axial end of the sub-protective housing for cooperating with the fixed end cap 6. The arc-shaped through-hole 41 and the reinforcing ribs 42 achieve stable accommodation of the acquisition and control circuit board and enhance the strength of the housing itself within a limited space; the wire compartment 46 provides an orderly coiling space for the internal wiring, avoiding messy wiring; and the first mounting end face 48 provides a basis for precise cooperation with the fixed end cap.

[0026] In such Figure 7 In the preferred embodiment shown, the fixing cap 6 may include two mating halves, each half of which may be provided with: a second mounting end face 61 located on the axial inner side of the half, for axial engagement and initial positioning with the first mounting end face 48; and a mounting cut surface 62 located on the periphery of the second mounting end face 61 and angled to the second mounting end face 61, on which a fixing screw hole 63 is provided. The mounting cut surface 62 is configured such that when the first mounting end face 48 of the protective housing 4 is axially engaged with the second mounting end face 61, by rotating the protective housing 4 around the axis of the cable core wire 2 by a preset angle, the connecting hole 45 on the protective housing 4 can be made to... Aligned with the fixing screw hole 63 to achieve circumferential fixation by fasteners; the coiled wire groove 64 located on the inner peripheral wall of the half body is used for coiling the connecting wire; the wire through hole end face 65 located on the axial outer side of the half body, the wire through hole end face 65 has a semi-circular second wire through hole 66 for limiting the cable core wire 2; and the second fastening end face 67 located on the radial outer side of the half body; wherein, the two half bodies are connected and fastened to each other through the second fastening end face 67, so that the second assembly end faces 61 of the two together form an annular interface that cooperates with the first assembly end face 48, and the second wire through holes 66 of the two together form a complete circular channel for the cable core wire 2 to pass through.

[0027] In this embodiment, the angled assembly facet 62 and the second assembly end face 61 together constitute a mechanical angle encoder. When the protective housing 4 is fitted with the second assembly end face 61 and rotated to a preset angle, its contour will rigidly abut against the assembly facet 62. This not only provides clear tactile and visual positioning signals, but also ensures the absolute and precise alignment of the connecting hole 45 and the fixing screw hole 63 on the protective housing 4. This transforms the tedious alignment process that traditionally relies on operator experience and repeated adjustments into a fast, foolproof, and unique one-button operation, greatly improving the efficiency and reliability of on-site assembly and maintenance in harsh marine environments. At the same time, the cable tray 64 and the second wire hole 66 integrated on the half-body realize the neat layout of the internal wiring and the precise positioning of the cable core wires. This eliminates assembly interference or electrical faults caused by messy wiring or core wire displacement, allowing this innovative rapid assembly mechanism to be reliably and repeatedly implemented in a compact space.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the assembly facet 62 can be a plane with fixing screw holes 63. The areas at both ends of the protective housing 4 that mate with the fixed end cap 6 can be approximately square or rectangular flange-like structures, with their sides serving as the contours that abut against the assembly facet 62. In this embodiment, the assembly facet 62 with fixing screw holes 63 on the fixed end cap 6 and the non-cylindrical flange contour at the end of the protective housing 4 together constitute a set of mechanical coding and hard limiting mechanisms. Its working principle is to uniquely decode the rotation angle into a precise spatial alignment position through preset complementary geometry. This design transforms complex and error-prone visual alignment into a foolproof one-handed operation that stops when rotated, greatly improving the efficiency and reliability of assembly and maintenance in harsh sea conditions. At the same time, the rigid mechanical stop ensures that each connection achieves an absolutely consistent and precise state, eliminating human error at the source, making the fastening force uniform, and significantly enhancing the module's vibration resistance and long-term connection reliability.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof end block 10, the limiting block 8, the inner liner ring 3, the limiting support post 9, and the injection-molded protective layer 23 can all be made of polymer materials; the fixed end cap 6 can be made of inorganic non-metallic materials; and the protective shell 4 can be made of metallic materials. In this embodiment, the metallic protective shell 4 provides robust electromagnetic shielding and structural support for the internal precision circuitry; the inorganic non-metallic fixed end cap 6, while possessing sufficient rigidity, avoids the risk of electrochemical corrosion that metal may bring; while the polymer waterproof end block 10, the limiting component, and the injection-molded protective layer 23 together endow the module and the cable body with matching flexibility, shock absorption, and excellent environmental sealing. This multi-material combination strategy of metallic, inorganic non-metallic, and polymer materials cleverly resolves the inherent contradiction between the rigidity and stability of electronic equipment and the dynamic flexibility of cables, enabling the acquisition and transmission module 100 to meet the flexibility and extensibility required by the cable on a macroscopic level (polymer component buffering), and to ensure structural strength and electromagnetic shielding in the microscopic core area (electronic compartment) (metal shell). This is an intelligent material layout oriented towards system requirements.

[0030] In such Figure 8 In the preferred embodiment shown, the outer diameter of the waterproof end block 10 after fusion with the cable sheath layer 1, the maximum outer diameter of the limiting component within the reserved window, and the maximum outer diameter of the fixed end cap 6 after assembly with the protective housing 4 are all equal. This embodiment ensures that the thickness of the injection-molded protective layer 23 is uniform, which not only eliminates stress concentration points caused by abrupt changes in thickness and significantly improves the tear resistance and impact resistance of the overall protective layer, but also allows the molten material to flow smoothly and cool evenly during injection molding. This results in a perfect encapsulation with stronger bonding and higher integrity with the internal structure and the cable sheath layer 1, ensuring the ultimate reliability of the module in harsh marine environments from both material and process perspectives.

[0031] Figure 10 The structure of a marine seismic exploration acquisition cable 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 10 As shown, the marine seismic exploration acquisition cable 200 may include: a cable body, with cable cores 2 arranged axially inside, and covered from the inside out with a foamed float layer 21 and a cable sheath layer 1; multiple sets of detectors spaced apart along the axial direction of the cable body; and at least one of the aforementioned acquisition and transmission modules 100, located between two adjacent sets of detectors and embedded in a reserved window A of the cable body. Wherein, combined with Figure 11As shown, the first acquisition control circuit board 51, located in one of the two sub-protective housings, is connected to the first set of geophones located in front of it via a first set of connection lines, and is used to control the first set of geophones and acquire their seismic data; the second acquisition control circuit board 52, located in the other of the two sub-protective housings, is connected to the second set of geophones located behind it via a second set of connection lines, and is used to control the second set of geophones and acquire their seismic data; each acquisition control circuit board also communicates with an external system via cable core wire 2 to receive acquisition commands and upload the acquired seismic data.

[0032] The marine seismic exploration acquisition cable 200 of this invention uses the aforementioned highly robust and reliable acquisition and transmission module 100 as the core control node. The distributed architecture of controlling the detector groups on both sides by the acquisition and transmission module 100 is integrated into the cable system. This reduces the number of electronic units at the top level of the system, thereby directly reducing the number of potential failure points and manufacturing costs of the entire cable. At the same time, the first acquisition control circuit board 51 and the second acquisition control circuit board 52, which are set up inside the acquisition and transmission module 100, precisely drive the detector groups on both sides of its axis through independent connection lines. This functional isolation and physical partitioning design not only optimizes the signal path and reduces crosstalk, but also enables the rapid and accurate location of the corresponding control unit or line when a local detector array malfunctions, greatly improving the system's diagnosability and maintenance efficiency.

[0033] In such Figure 11 In the preferred embodiment shown, the cable core 2 is cut off within the acquisition and transmission module 100; both the first and second sets of connection lines include: a detector control acquisition line for connecting and controlling the detector, a communication line for communicating with an external system, a transmission line for uploading seismic data, and a ground wire; the first and second sets of connection lines are led out from both ends of the protective housing 4 and welded to the corresponding conductors drawn from both ends of the cut cable core 2; each group of detectors is connected in parallel to the corresponding detector control acquisition line.

[0034] In this embodiment, the connection method of cutting the cable core wire 2 at the acquisition and transmission module 100 and directly welding it to the module leads completely eliminates the traditional connectors, removing the most common sources of failure caused by poor contact, oxidation, or vibration-induced loosening, and achieving a permanent electrical connection with strength close to that of the cable itself. Simultaneously, the parallel connection design of the detectors ensures that a failure of a single detector does not affect the operation of other detectors in the same group, greatly improving the robustness and maintainability of the system. Furthermore, this clear and standardized modular wiring logic simplifies fault location, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly determine whether the problem belongs to a module, a line, or a specific detector, thus transforming system maintenance from vague overall inspection to precise unit replacement.

[0035] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0036] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "axial", "radial", "circumferential", "inner", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0037] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this invention. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A data acquisition and transmission module, characterized in that, The reserved window is embedded in the cable body of the acquisition cable. The reserved window is formed by cutting along the axial direction of the acquisition cable body and removing part of the foamed float layer and cable sheath layer (1). The cable core wire (2) is exposed in the reserved window and an axial extension space for accommodating the acquisition and transmission module is formed. The data acquisition and transmission module includes: Two waterproof end blocks (10) are located at the two ends of the reserved window along the axial direction. The waterproof end blocks (10) are simultaneously fused with the cable core (2) and the cable sheath layer (1) to achieve axial positioning and end sealing of the acquisition and transmission module. The protective housing (4) is located at the center of the reserved window and includes two sub-protective housings that are fastened to each other outside the cable core (2). Each sub-protective housing has a space for accommodating the acquisition and control circuit board. Two fixed end caps (6) are respectively connected to the two axial ends of the protective housing (4) for fixing the two interlocking sub-protective housings; The limiting component is located between the waterproof end block (10) and the fixed end cap (6). The limiting component includes an inner liner ring (3) that abuts against the waterproof end block (10) and the fixed end cap (6) and is sleeved on the outside of the cable core (2), a limiting block (8) that is sleeved and fixed on the outside of the inner liner ring (3), and a limiting support (9) that is inserted into the waterproof end block (10) at one end and into the limiting block (8) at the other end. The fixed end cap is sleeved on the outside of the inner liner ring (3) and is located between the limiting block (8) and the protective shell (4). An injection-molded protective layer (23) covers the exterior of the protective housing (4), the fixed end cap (6), the limiting component, and part of the cable sheath layer (1), forming an overall protective structure; and The internal adhesive structure is formed by cured filler adhesive, which fills at least the gaps between the protective shell (4) and the fixed end cap (6), between the inner liner ring (3) and the limiting block (8) and the fixed end cap (6), between the inner wall of the inner liner ring (3) and the outer surface of the cable core (2), and between the limiting support (9) and the waterproof end block (10) and the limiting block (8), so that the internal structure of the module is cured into one piece.

2. The acquisition and transmission module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner liner ring (3) includes a cylindrical inner liner surface (31) extending axially, a ring shoulder (32) protruding radially at one end of the inner liner surface (31), and a sealing protrusion ring (33) disposed on the inner surface of the ring shoulder (32); the ring shoulder (32) cooperates with the end face of the limiting block (8) to achieve axial positioning, and the sealing protrusion ring (33) is used to seal the annular gap between the inner liner ring (3) and the cable core wire (2) during glue injection.

3. The acquisition and transmission module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting block (8) is annular, with a through hole at its center for the inner lining ring (3) to pass through. The inner circumferential wall at one end of the through hole is provided with an assembly recess (81) for engaging with the ring shoulder (32) of the inner lining ring (3). The ring body of the limiting block (8) is provided with a plurality of first limiting holes (82) spaced circumferentially for engaging with the limiting support column (9), and at least one guide hole (83) communicating with the through hole.

4. The acquisition and transmission module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limiting support (9) includes a first insertion part (91) and a second insertion part (92) that are offset in the axial direction. The first insertion part (91) is inserted into the waterproof end block (10), and the second insertion part (92) is inserted into the first limiting hole (82) of the limiting block (8).

5. The acquisition and transmission module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The waterproof end block (10) is annular, with a wire hole (103) in the center for the cable core (2) to pass through. One end face is an assembly end face (102) for abutting against the limiting block (8). The ring body has a plurality of second limiting holes (101) for inserting the first plug-in part (91) along the circumferential direction. The outer surface of the ring body has a groove (104) for enhancing the fusion connection strength with the cable sheath layer (1).

6. The acquisition and transmission module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Each of the sub-protective housings of the protective housing (4) has the following features: an arc-shaped through hole (41) located inside for accommodating the acquisition control circuit board; reinforcing ribs (42) distributed on the inner surface of the arc-shaped through hole; a first through hole (43) formed between the two sub-protective housings after they are fastened together for the cable core wire (2) to pass through; a grounding screw hole (44) located on the sub-protective housing; a connection hole (45) located on the circumference of the sub-protective housing for connecting to the fixed end cap (6); a wire compartment (46) located on the inner end of the sub-protective housing for winding the connecting line; and a first mounting end face (48) located on the axial end of the sub-protective housing that mates with the fixed end cap (6).

7. The acquisition and transmission module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixed end cap (6) includes two mating halves, each half having: The second assembly end face (61) located on the axial inner side of the half body is used to axially fit and initially position with the first assembly end face (48); An assembly cut surface (62) located on the periphery of the second assembly end face (61) and set at an angle to the second assembly end face (61) is provided with a fixing screw hole (63). The assembly cut surface (62) is configured such that when the first assembly end face (48) of the protective housing (4) is axially attached to the second assembly end face (61), by rotating the protective housing (4) around the axis of the cable core (2) by a preset angle, the connecting hole on the protective housing (4) can be aligned with the fixing screw hole (63) so as to achieve circumferential fixation by fasteners. The end face (65) of the threading hole located on the outer side of the axial direction of the half body, wherein a semi-circular second threading hole (66) is provided on the end face (65); and The second engaging end face (67) is located on the radially outer side of the half body; The two halves are engaged with each other through the second engagement end face (67), so that the second assembly end face (61) of the two halves together form an annular interface that matches the first assembly end face (48), and the second wire hole (66) of the two halves together form a complete circular channel through which the cable core wire (2) passes.

8. The acquisition and transmission module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The waterproof end block (10), the limiting block (8), the inner lining ring (3), the limiting support column (9), and the injection-molded protective layer (23) are all made of polymer materials; the fixed end cap (6) is made of inorganic non-metallic materials; and the protective shell (4) is made of metallic materials.

9. A marine seismic exploration acquisition cable, characterized in that, include: The cable body has cable cores (2) arranged axially inside, and is covered with a foamed float layer (21) and a cable sheath layer (1) from the inside to the outside. Multiple sets of detectors are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the cable; and At least one acquisition and transmission module according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is located between two adjacent sets of detectors and embedded in a reserved window of the cable body; The acquisition control circuit board located in one of the two sub-protective housings is connected to a first group of geophones located in front of it via a first set of connection lines, and is used to control the first group of geophones and acquire their seismic data; the acquisition control circuit board located in the other of the two sub-protective housings is connected to a second group of geophones located behind it via a second set of connection lines, and is used to control the second group of geophones and acquire their seismic data; each acquisition control circuit board also communicates with an external system via the cable core (2) to receive acquisition commands and upload the acquired seismic data.

10. The marine seismic exploration acquisition cable according to claim 9, characterized in that, Within the acquisition and transmission module, the cable core (2) is cut off; both the first set of connection lines and the second set of connection lines include: a detector control acquisition line for connecting and controlling the detector, a communication line for communicating with an external system, a transmission line for uploading seismic data, and a ground wire; the first set of connection lines and the second set of connection lines are led out from both ends of the protective housing (4) and welded to the corresponding conductors drawn from both ends of the cut-off cable core (2); each set of detectors is connected in parallel to the corresponding detector control acquisition line.

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