Buoyant Tail Section for Geophysical Streamer Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geophysical streamers in marine environments experience significant tugging forces due to tail buoys and tail sections, leading to noise interference that masks desired signals during seismic or electromagnetic surveys.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a positively buoyant tail section that floats closer to the water's surface, reducing tugging forces by distributing buoyancy along the tail section, which is achieved through a combination of segment design, buoyancy fill materials, and external flotation devices, ensuring the tail section is more buoyant than the active section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional tail section design is used, then the streamer can be towed through water, but significant tugging forces are generated that create noise interference masking desired signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies buoyancy as a counteracting force to the gravitational weight of the tail section. By incorporating buoyant materials (foam, air-filled bladders) into the tail section, an upward buoyant force is generated that opposes the downward gravitational force, thereby reducing the net tugging force transmitted to the active streamer section and minimizing noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the tail section by adjusting its buoyancy characteristics. This is achieved by varying the amount and distribution of buoyant materials, changing the density and volume of the tail section to optimize the balance between reducing tugging forces and maintaining proper streamer deployment. The buoyancy force (Fb = ρVg) is modified by changing volume (V) of displaced water through adjustable buoyant elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If buoyant materials are added to reduce tugging forces, then noise is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where buoyant materials are integrated within the tail section housing. The buoyant elements (foam blocks, flexible bladders) are positioned inside the tail section structure, allowing the tail section to serve dual functions: structural support for towing and buoyancy generation. This nested arrangement reduces overall device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible buoyant bladders or membranes within the tail section that can expand and contract to adjust buoyancy levels. These flexible elements are enclosed in thin-walled containers that maintain structural integrity while allowing volume adjustment, providing a simple mechanism to control buoyancy without adding complex rigid structures or multiple separate 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 design reduces tugging forces on the active section, resulting in lower streamer-induced noise and higher quality data acquisition by minimizing the axial force applied during towing.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a positively buoyant tail section that floats closer to the water's surface, reducing tugging forces by distributing buoyancy along the tail section
Data Source
AI summary
Buoyant tail section of a geophysical streamer. At least some of the example embodiments are methods of performing a geophysical survey in a marine environment, the method including: towing an active section of a geophysical streamer in the marine environment, the active section having a buoyancy; towing a tail section, the tail section coupled to a distal end of the active section, the towing of the tail section by way of the active section, and at least a portion of the tail section having a buoyancy that is both positively buoyant and greater than buoyancy of the active section; towing a tail buoy in the marine environment, the tail buoy coupled to a distal end of the tail section, and the towing of the tail buoy by way of the tail section; and gathering geophysical survey data by way of the active section.