Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Seismic Wave Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic wave generation methods for underwater geological formations are inefficient, as they often rely on towed sources that dissipate energy and struggle to accurately target specific locations on the seabed, leading to suboptimal data acquisition for hydrocarbon extraction.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) system that navigates to the seabed, anchors, and vibrates to generate seismic waves, allowing for precise energy delivery and efficient data collection by penetrating the seabed with a screw anchor and using a vibratory seismic wave generator to produce waves at desired frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If towed sources are used for seismic wave generation, then the system can cover large areas, but the energy dissipates and the ability to target specific locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic survey system is divided into multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), each capable of independently navigating to and anchoring at specific target locations. This segmentation allows the overall survey to cover large areas through coordinated deployment of multiple units while each unit maintains precise location targeting capability by autonomously navigating to predetermined coordinates and anchoring using a screw anchor mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If towed sources are used for seismic wave generation, then deployment is simplified, but the ability to accurately target specific seabed locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous underwater vehicle is equipped with an autonomous navigation system that enables it to independently navigate to predetermined target locations on the seabed without requiring towing or external guidance. The vehicle autonomously determines its position, navigates to the target coordinates, and deploys its screw anchor to secure itself at the precise location, thereby maintaining deployment simplicity while achieving high location targeting accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the AUV anchors to the seabed, then precise location targeting is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous underwater vehicle integrates multiple functional systems into a single unified platform: the autonomous navigation system for positioning, the screw anchor mechanism for securing at target locations, and the seismic wave generation system for data acquisition. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate towed sources and anchor systems, while achieving precise location targeting through the coordinated operation of these integrated components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances data quality by ensuring seismic waves are generated at specific locations on the seabed, reducing absorption and improving the accuracy of seismic data acquisition, facilitating better hydrocarbon exploration and extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The seismic wave generator can vibrate to generate the seismic waves
Implementation Method 2
The anchor includes a screw having an end configured to penetrate the seabed at the location on the seabed
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous underwater seismic wave generation system includes a housing, and an autonomous navigation system, a propulsion system and a seismic wave generator, each connected to the housing. The autonomous navigation system can navigate the autonomous underwater seismic wave generation system to subsea locations including a location on a seabed. The propulsion system can drive the autonomous underwater seismic wave generation system to the location on the seabed. The seismic wave generator can couple to the location on the seabed to generate seismic waves at the location on the seabed.