Seismic node with automatic north adjustment function and adjustment method

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of geophysical exploration and seismic observation, and provides a seismic node instrument with automatic north adjustment function and an adjustment method. The seismic node instrument comprises a seismic node instrument main body, a direction sensor, a north adjustment unit and a tail cone. The north adjustment unit comprises a direction microcontroller, a mechanical rotating device and a threaded column. The threaded column is arranged along the vertical direction, with its bottom end connected to the tail cone connecting disc and its top end connected to the mechanical rotating device. The direction sensor is used to detect the angular deviation of the seismic node instrument main body relative to the geographic north and transmit it to the direction microcontroller. The direction microcontroller controls the mechanical rotating device to drive the relative rotational displacement between the threaded column and the seismic node instrument main body, so that the seismic node instrument main body completes the automatic north adjustment around the vertical axis under the condition that the tail cone remains fixed, thereby improving the seismic node instrument deployment efficiency and data acquisition consistency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of geophysical exploration and seismic observation, and particularly relates to a seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function and adjustment method. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are merely background information related to the present invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] In seismic exploration and monitoring, three-component seismic nodal instruments need to have their sensitive axes aligned with geographic north during deployment to ensure the consistency and comparability of data collected from different measurement points. Any deviation in the nodal instrument's azimuth will directly affect the accuracy of the horizontal component seismic signal's directional interpretation, thereby reducing the reliability of subsequent data processing and interpretation results. Current seismic nodal instruments typically rely on manual orientation using north arrows, horizontal bubbles, or external tools. This method is not only inefficient but also makes it difficult to guarantee the consistency and repeatability of azimuth adjustments across all nodal instruments in complex terrain or large-scale deployment operations.

[0004] To improve orientation accuracy, some seismic nodal instruments integrate magnetic sensors, inertial sensors, or positioning modules to acquire the nodal instrument's azimuth information. However, these devices primarily function as "azimuth detectors," still requiring manual rotation and adjustment of the entire nodal instrument, thus failing to achieve true automatic orientation. In actual field operations, seismic nodal instruments typically establish a stable mechanical coupling by inserting their tail cones into the ground. Once the tail cone is fully inserted into the soil, the nodal instrument is strongly coupled to the ground. Forcibly rotating the nodal instrument can easily disrupt this coupling, potentially causing tilting or shifting of the sensitive axis, thus affecting the quality of seismic signal acquisition. Therefore, after the nodal instrument is deployed and coupled to the ground, current technology struggles to achieve automatic northward adjustment without disrupting this coupling. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problems mentioned above, this invention provides a seismic nodal instrument and adjustment method with automatic northward adjustment function. After the seismic nodal instrument completes ground coupling, it can still achieve automatic northward correction of the main body of the nodal instrument, thereby improving the deployment efficiency of the seismic nodal instrument and the consistency of data acquisition.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: The first aspect of the present invention provides a seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function, comprising: a seismic nodal instrument body, a direction sensor, a northward adjustment unit, and a tail cone; The main body of the seismic nodal instrument includes a nodal instrument shell and a nodal instrument mechanism and power supply device disposed therein. A nodal instrument bottom cover is provided at the bottom of the nodal instrument shell. The tail cone is fixed on the tail cone connecting plate, and the tail cone connecting plate is set on the nodal instrument bottom cover. The direction sensor and northward adjustment unit are also located inside the junction instrument housing and are arranged on the bottom cover of the junction instrument; the northward adjustment unit includes a direction microcontroller, a mechanical rotation device and a threaded column; the threaded column is arranged in the vertical direction, its bottom end is connected to the tail cone connecting plate, and its top end is connected to the mechanical rotation device. The orientation sensor is used to detect the angular deviation of the seismic nodal instrument body relative to the geographical north direction and transmit it to the orientation microcontroller. The orientation microcontroller controls the mechanical rotation device to drive the threaded column to generate a relative rotational displacement between the seismic nodal instrument body and the seismic nodal instrument body, so that the seismic nodal instrument body can complete the automatic northward adjustment around the vertical axis while the tail cone remains fixed.

[0007] In one implementation, the tail cone includes a long tail cone and three short tail cones. The long tail cone is located at the center of the tail cone connecting plate, and the short tail cones are evenly distributed around the circumference of the tail cone connecting plate to enhance the coupling stability between the seismic node instrument and the ground.

[0008] In one implementation, the nodal instrument core includes a P-wave nodal instrument core and two S-wave nodal instrument cores, which are spatially perpendicular to each other and are used to acquire seismic signals of different components.

[0009] In one embodiment, the mechanical rotating device includes a micro motor and a threaded column rotator, wherein the micro motor drives the threaded column to rotate under the control of a direction microcontroller.

[0010] In one implementation, the orientation sensor is a magnetic sensor, an inertial sensor, or a combination of both, used to detect the azimuth information of the main body of the seismic node instrument after its deployment.

[0011] In one embodiment, the top cover of the node instrument is connected to the outer shell of the node instrument, and the outer surface of the outer shell of the node instrument is marked with a number, barcode or QR code; the bottom cover of the node instrument is connected to the outer shell of the node instrument, and its center position is provided with an internal threaded through hole for mating with a threaded post.

[0012] In one implementation, the process of the directional microcontroller controlling the mechanical rotation device to drive the threaded column to rotate is a segmented micro-angle rotation process.

[0013] In one implementation, once the direction sensor detects that the main body of the seismic node has completed northward correction, the direction microcontroller stops the operation of the mechanical rotation device, the main body of the seismic node remains in the corrected directional position, and enters the normal seismic signal acquisition state.

[0014] The battery is located inside the main body of the seismic nodal instrument and is used to simultaneously supply power to the nodal instrument core, direction sensor, direction microcontroller and mechanical rotation device.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention provides an adjustment method for a seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function, comprising: After the seismic nodal instrument is powered on, the orientation sensor detects the current azimuth angle of the nodal instrument body in real time and sends the angle deviation information relative to the geographical north to the orientation microcontroller. The orientation microcontroller calculates the required rotation angle based on the received angle deviation information and sends the control signal to the mechanical rotation device; Under the control of the direction microcontroller, the mechanical rotation device drives the threaded column to rotate at a set low speed, so that the main body of the seismic node instrument rotates relative to the threaded column about the vertical axis. Once the direction sensor detects that the main body of the seismic nodal instrument has completed northward correction, the direction microcontroller stops the operation of the mechanical rotation device, the main body of the seismic nodal instrument remains in the corrected directional position, and enters the normal seismic signal acquisition state.

[0016] In one implementation method, the tail cone forms a non-rotatable coupling constraint with the ground, and the rotation of the threaded column will not cause the tail cone to rotate. Through the threaded engagement, the main body of the seismic nodal instrument rotates relative to the threaded column about the vertical axis.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention, through its structural design of fixing the tail cone to the ground and rotating the nodal instrument body relative to it, enables the azimuth adjustment of the nodal instrument body even when the tail cone has been inserted into the ground and formed a strong coupling. This overcomes the limitation of traditional nodal instruments requiring pre-deployment or manual adjustment. Because the tail cone remains fixedly coupled to the ground throughout the northward adjustment process, and only the nodal instrument body rotates at a low speed and a small angle, it effectively avoids tilting, loosening, or coupling failure caused by overall rotation, thus ensuring the stability of seismic signal acquisition.

[0018] After the node instrument of the present invention is deployed and powered on, it can automatically acquire directional deviation information and complete northward adjustment without the need for manual observation of the north marker or repeated calibration, thereby improving deployment efficiency and reducing human error. In seismic exploration operations with multiple nodes deployed simultaneously, the present invention can ensure that each node instrument automatically completes a unified northward orientation, reducing the impact of differences in manual operation on the consistency of the three-component data direction, and effectively improving the deployment efficiency of large-scale node instruments.

[0019] The northward adjustment unit of this invention is integrated inside the nodal instrument, without changing the overall shape and structure of the existing seismic nodal instrument. This facilitates modification or upgrading of the existing nodal instrument system and has good engineering application value.

[0020] Advantages of additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main body of the seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the northbound adjustment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; The components are: 1. Top cover of the node instrument; 2. Longitudinal wave node instrument mechanism; 3. Node instrument housing; 4. Power supply device; 5. Direction sensor; 6. Tail cone connecting plate; 7. Tail cone; 8. Transverse wave node instrument mechanism; 9. Mechanical rotation device; 10. Direction microcontroller; 11. Threaded column; 12. Node instrument bottom cover; 13. Threaded column rotator. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0025] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0026] In this invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "back," "vertical," "horizontal," "side," and "bottom" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used only to facilitate the description of the structural relationships of the various components or elements of this invention and do not specifically refer to any component or element in this invention. They should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0027] In this invention, terms such as "fixed connection," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly, indicating a fixed connection, an integral connection, or a detachable connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can determine the specific meaning of these terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances, and they should not be construed as limitations on the invention.

[0028] The purpose of this invention is to provide a seismic nodal instrument and adjustment method with automatic northward adjustment function. Through structural design, the tail cone fixation and main body rotation are separated. After the seismic nodal instrument is deployed and coupled with the ground, automatic northward correction can still be achieved.

[0029] according to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a seismic nodal instrument body, a direction sensor 5, a northward adjustment unit and a tail cone 7; The main body of the seismic nodal instrument includes a nodal instrument shell 3 and a nodal instrument core and a power supply device 4 disposed therein. A nodal instrument bottom cover 12 is provided at the bottom of the nodal instrument shell 3. The tail cone 7 is fixed on the tail cone connecting plate 6, and the tail cone connecting plate 6 is set on the nodal instrument bottom cover 12. The nodal instrument shell 3 is also connected to the nodal instrument top cover 1. The direction sensor 5 and the north adjustment unit are also located inside the junction instrument housing 3 and are arranged on the junction instrument bottom cover 12; the north adjustment unit includes a direction microcontroller 10, a mechanical rotating device 9 and a threaded column 11; the threaded column 11 is arranged in the vertical direction, its bottom end is connected to the tail cone connecting plate 6, and its top end is connected to the mechanical rotating device 9. The orientation sensor 5 is used to detect the angular deviation of the seismic nodal instrument body relative to the geographical north direction and transmit it to the orientation microcontroller 10. The orientation microcontroller 10 controls the mechanical rotation device 9 to drive the threaded column 11 to generate a relative rotational displacement between it and the seismic nodal instrument body, so that the seismic nodal instrument body can complete the automatic northward adjustment around the vertical axis while the tail cone 7 remains fixed.

[0030] The process by which the direction microcontroller 10 controls the mechanical rotation device 9 to drive the threaded column 11 to rotate is a segmented micro-angle rotation process. When the direction sensor 5 detects that the main body of the seismic nodal instrument has completed the northward correction, the direction microcontroller 10 stops the operation of the mechanical rotation device 9, the main body of the seismic nodal instrument remains in the corrected directional position, and enters the normal seismic signal acquisition state.

[0031] Specifically, the power supply device 4 is located inside the main body of the seismic node instrument and is used to simultaneously supply power to the node instrument core, the direction sensor 5, the direction microcontroller 10 and the mechanical rotation device 9.

[0032] In this embodiment, the tail cone 7 includes one long tail cone and three short tail cones. The long tail cone is located at the center of the tail cone connecting plate 6, and the short tail cones are evenly distributed around the circumference of the tail cone connecting plate 6 to enhance the coupling stability between the seismic node instrument and the ground.

[0033] In the specific implementation process, the nodal instrument core includes a P-wave nodal instrument core 2 and two S-wave nodal instrument cores 8, which are perpendicular to each other in space and are used to collect seismic signals of different components.

[0034] The mechanical rotating device 9 includes a micro motor and a threaded column rotator 13. Under the control of the direction microcontroller 10, the micro motor drives the threaded column 11 to rotate.

[0035] In some alternative embodiments, the orientation sensor 5 is a magnetic sensor, an inertial sensor, or a combination of both, used to detect the azimuth information of the main body of the seismic node instrument after the seismic node instrument is deployed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the top cover 1 of the node instrument is connected to the outer shell 3 of the node instrument, and the outer surface of the outer shell 3 of the node instrument is marked with a number, barcode or QR code; the bottom cover 12 of the node instrument is connected to the outer shell 3 of the node instrument, and the center of the bottom cover 12 of the node instrument is provided with an internal threaded through hole for engaging with the threaded post 11.

[0037] The battery is located inside the main body of the seismic nodal instrument and is used to simultaneously power the nodal instrument core, the direction sensor 5, the direction microcontroller 10 and the mechanical rotation device 9.

[0038] During actual field deployment, staff insert the seismic nodal instrument into the ground via tail cone 7. Once both the long and short tail cones are fully inserted and stably coupled to the ground, the entire seismic nodal instrument ceases to rotate horizontally. The adjustment process for the seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment includes the following steps: Step 1: After the seismic nodal instrument is powered on, the direction sensor 5 detects the current azimuth angle of the nodal instrument body in real time and sends its angle deviation information relative to the geographical north direction to the direction microcontroller 10; Step 2: The direction microcontroller 10 calculates the required rotation angle based on the received angle deviation information and sends the control signal to the mechanical rotation device 9; Step 3: Under the control of the direction microcontroller 10, the mechanical rotation device 9 drives the threaded column 11 to rotate at a set low speed, so that the main body of the seismic node instrument rotates relative to the threaded column 11 about the vertical axis. Among them, the tail cone 7 forms a non-rotatable coupling constraint with the ground, and the rotation of the threaded column 11 will not cause the tail cone 7 to rotate. Through the threaded engagement relationship, the main body of the seismic node instrument rotates relative to the threaded column 11 about the vertical axis.

[0039] Step 4: When the direction sensor 5 detects that the main body of the seismic nodal instrument has completed the northward correction, the direction microcontroller 10 stops the operation of the mechanical rotation device 9, the main body of the seismic nodal instrument remains in the corrected directional position, and enters the normal seismic signal acquisition state.

[0040] Through the above process, the automatic northward adjustment of the main body of the seismic nodal instrument was achieved without disrupting the coupling state between the tail cone 7 and the ground.

[0041] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function, characterized in that, include: Seismic nodal instrument main body, direction sensor, northward adjustment unit and tail cone; The main body of the seismic nodal instrument includes a nodal instrument shell and a nodal instrument mechanism and power supply device disposed therein. A nodal instrument bottom cover is provided at the bottom of the nodal instrument shell. The tail cone is fixed on the tail cone connecting plate, and the tail cone connecting plate is set on the nodal instrument bottom cover. The direction sensor and northward adjustment unit are also located inside the junction instrument housing and are arranged on the bottom cover of the junction instrument; the northward adjustment unit includes a direction microcontroller, a mechanical rotation device and a threaded column; the threaded column is arranged in the vertical direction, its bottom end is connected to the tail cone connecting plate, and its top end is connected to the mechanical rotation device. The orientation sensor is used to detect the angular deviation of the seismic nodal instrument body relative to the geographical north direction and transmit it to the orientation microcontroller. The orientation microcontroller controls the mechanical rotation device to drive the threaded column to generate a relative rotational displacement between the seismic nodal instrument body and the seismic nodal instrument body, so that the seismic nodal instrument body can complete the automatic northward adjustment around the vertical axis while the tail cone remains fixed.

2. The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tail cone includes one long tail cone and three short tail cones. The long tail cone is located at the center of the tail cone connecting plate, and the short tail cones are evenly distributed around the circumference of the tail cone connecting plate to enhance the coupling stability between the seismic node instrument and the ground.

3. The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The nodal instrument core includes one P-wave nodal instrument core and two S-wave nodal instrument cores, which are spatially perpendicular to each other and are used to acquire seismic signals of different components.

4. The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanical rotating device includes a micro motor and a threaded column rotator. Under the control of a direction microcontroller, the micro motor drives the threaded column to rotate.

5. The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The orientation sensor is a magnetic sensor, an inertial sensor, or a combination of both, used to detect the azimuth information of the main body of the seismic node instrument after its deployment.

6. The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top cover of the node instrument is connected to the outer shell of the node instrument, and the outer surface of the outer shell of the node instrument is marked with a number, barcode or QR code; the bottom cover of the node instrument is connected to the outer shell of the node instrument, and its center position is provided with an internal threaded through hole for mating with a threaded post.

7. The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The process of the directional microcontroller controlling the mechanical rotation device to drive the threaded column to rotate is a segmented micro-angle rotation process.

8. The seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Once the direction sensor detects that the main body of the seismic nodal instrument has completed northward correction, the direction microcontroller stops the operation of the mechanical rotation device, the main body of the seismic nodal instrument remains in the corrected directional position, and enters the normal seismic signal acquisition state. The battery is located inside the main body of the seismic nodal instrument and is used to simultaneously supply power to the nodal instrument core, direction sensor, direction microcontroller and mechanical rotation device.

9. A method for adjusting a seismic nodal instrument with automatic northward adjustment function as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, include: After the seismic nodal instrument is powered on, the orientation sensor detects the current azimuth angle of the nodal instrument body in real time and sends the angle deviation information relative to the geographical north to the orientation microcontroller. The orientation microcontroller calculates the required rotation angle based on the received angle deviation information and sends the control signal to the mechanical rotation device; Under the control of the direction microcontroller, the mechanical rotation device drives the threaded column to rotate at a set low speed, so that the main body of the seismic node instrument rotates relative to the threaded column about the vertical axis. Once the direction sensor detects that the main body of the seismic nodal instrument has completed northward correction, the direction microcontroller stops the operation of the mechanical rotation device, the main body of the seismic nodal instrument remains in the corrected directional position, and enters the normal seismic signal acquisition state.

10. The adjustment method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The tail cone forms a non-rotatable coupling constraint with the ground. The rotation of the threaded column will not cause the tail cone to rotate. Through the threaded engagement, the main body of the seismic nodal instrument rotates relative to the threaded column about the vertical axis.

Images