Buoyant Marine Data Acquisition Node Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine geophysical surveying methods, such as seismic and electromagnetic surveying, face challenges when data acquisition nodes are positioned directly on the seafloor, including local variations in resistivity and acoustic impedance, electrode housing bending, and the risk of nodes getting stuck in bottom structures, which affect data accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A marine data acquisition node with a buoyant base that floats above the water bottom, anchored by a weight and connected by a line, allowing the node to hover at a constant distance, reducing sensitivity to local variations and minimizing the risk of getting stuck, while maintaining data quality and ease of retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the marine data acquisition node is positioned directly on the water bottom, then the node can be easily deployed and retrieved, but the acquired geophysical data is affected by local variations of resistivity and acoustic impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buoyant base as an intermediary element between the data acquisition node and the water bottom. This buoyant base floats on the water bottom surface, creating a buffer that prevents direct contact between the node and irregularities in the seabed, thereby reducing the impact of local resistivity and acoustic impedance variations on measurement precision while maintaining ease of deployment and retrieval
2Stability of the object's composition
If the marine data acquisition node is positioned directly on the seafloor, then the node can be stably anchored, but the housing containing the electrodes may bend due to unsuitable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyant base serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs mechanical stresses and irregularities from the water bottom. By allowing the base to float and adapt to seabed variations, the rigid electrode housing and its precise manufacturing are protected from bending and deformation, maintaining both stability and manufacturing precision
3Reliability
If the marine data acquisition node is positioned directly on the seafloor, then the node can be firmly held in place, but the node may get stuck in bottom structures and among stones
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyant base acts as a mediator that prevents direct engagement between the node and harmful bottom structures such as stones and irregularities. The base can float over these obstacles, distributing the node's weight and preventing it from getting stuck, thereby maintaining positioning reliability while avoiding entrapment
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyant base provides an upward buoyant force that counteracts the downward weight of the node. This counterweight effect reduces the node's effective contact pressure on the water bottom, preventing it from becoming lodged in bottom structures and stones while maintaining stable positioning
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 configuration enhances data accuracy by reducing the impact of local variations and improves operational efficiency by preventing node entrapment, allowing for more reliable and precise geophysical data collection and easier recovery of the nodes.
Implementation Method 1
the base of the marine data acquisition node may have a buoyancy such that the base may float a certain distance above the water bottom
Implementation Method 2
a weight coupled to a line of a certain length. Without limitation, the line may couple the weight to the base. In operation, the weight may be positioned on the bottom of the body of water such that the base of the marine data acquisition node floats a certain distance above the water bottom
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for marine geophysical surveying. An example system an electromagnetic source configured to emit an energy field into a body of water; a marine data acquisition node comprising: a base having a buoyancy such that the base is configured to float in a body of water; a geophysical sensor coupled to the base; a weight configured to anchor the marine data acquisition node to a water bottom; and a line connected between the weight and the base configured to prevent the base from floating to a surface of the body of water.