Compact Seismic Node with Pressure Structure and Overmolded Sealing Skin

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seismic nodes for marine surveys face challenges in achieving a compact profile while ensuring pressure resistance and waterproofing, which affects efficiency and cost of handling and deployment.

Innovation Solution

A seismic node design comprising a pressure-resistant inner structure with a separate waterproof sealing skin, where the sealing skin is overmolded onto the outer surface of the inner structure to provide waterproofing without adding bulk or weight, allowing for the integration of seismic sensors and other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional thick metal shell housing is used to provide pressure resistance and waterproofing, then the node can withstand high seabed pressures and protect internal components, but the node size and weight increase, affecting handling efficiency and deployment cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistance and waterproofing capabilityVSAvoidnode weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct components: an inner pressure-resistant structure and an outer waterproof sealing skin. The inner structure provides mechanical strength to withstand pressure, while the outer skin provides waterproofing with minimal weight. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single thick metal shell to perform both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer housing is formed as a thin waterproof sealing skin that surrounds the inner pressure-resistant structure. This thin film approach provides adequate waterproofing without the weight and bulk of traditional thick metal housings, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a traditional thick metal shell housing is used to provide pressure resistance and waterproofing, then the node can withstand high seabed pressures and protect internal components, but the node size and volume increase, affecting handling efficiency and deployment cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistance and waterproofing capabilityVSAvoidnode volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct components: an inner pressure-resistant structure and an outer waterproof sealing skin. The inner structure provides mechanical strength to withstand pressure, while the outer skin provides waterproofing with minimal weight. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single thick metal shell to perform both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer housing is formed as a thin waterproof sealing skin that surrounds the inner pressure-resistant structure. This thin film approach provides adequate waterproofing without the weight and bulk of traditional thick metal housings, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If a single integrated pressure-resistant and waterproof housing is used, then the node structure is simpler, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to material and fabrication constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct components: an inner pressure-resistant structure and an outer waterproof sealing skin. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using materials and processes optimized for its specific requirements, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the increased number of parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The node employs a composite structure combining an inner pressure-resistant material (such as metal or rigid polymer) with an outer waterproof sealing material (such as elastomer or coated fabric). This composite approach allows each material to be selected for its optimal properties, simplifying the manufacturing of each component while achieving the combined performance of pressure resistance and waterproofing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250216565A1A Seismic Node and a Method for Producing a Seismic Node

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 REFLECTION MARINE NORGE AS

AI summary

Described herein is a seismic node, comprising: at least one seismic sensor; a pressure resistant structure having a first wall, a second wall, and one or more supporting elements extending between the first and second walls to define one or more cavities for containing pressure sensitive components; and a separate waterproof sealing skin surrounding the pressure resistant structure and the at least one seismic sensor. Also described herein is a method for producing a seismic node.