Marine Vessel Trajectory Planning for Current-Aware Seismic Turns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional marine seismic survey methods face challenges in maintaining the integrity of towed seismic elements and increasing travel time due to large turning radii required to accommodate sea currents, leading to potential tangles and stress on cables.

Innovation Solution

A method that computes a theoretical trajectory in a ground reference frame assuming no current, adjusts for estimated water current parameters, and iteratively optimizes the path in a water reference frame using Dubins theory to minimize stress and maintain element alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large turning radius is used to accommodate water currents, then the integrity of towed seismic elements is maintained, but the travel time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity of towed seismic elementsVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by computing the water current vector and adjusting the trajectory in advance before the vessel executes the turn. The system calculates the corrected trajectory considering current effects, allowing the vessel to compensate for drift proactively rather than reactively, thus maintaining element integrity while optimizing travel time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by dynamically adjusting the trajectory based on water current parameters (speed and direction). The system modifies the vessel's path parameters (position, orientation, speed) in response to current conditions, enabling optimal balance between maintaining seismic element integrity and minimizing travel time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a large turning radius is used to accommodate water currents, then the alignment of towed seismic elements is maintained, but the travel time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment of towed seismic elementsVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the water current's effect on the towed elements and adjusts the trajectory in advance. By computing the corrected path that accounts for current-induced drift, the system maintains proper alignment of seismic elements throughout the maneuver without requiring excessive travel time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical approach of using large turning radii to maintain alignment with a computational approach. The system uses trajectory computation algorithms that calculate the optimal path considering current effects, substituting physical maneuvering margins with intelligent path planning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the trajectory is adjusted to minimize travel time, then productivity increases, but the integrity of towed seismic elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel time efficiencyVSAvoidintegrity of towed seismic elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes trajectory parameters based on water current conditions to find the optimal balance between travel time and element integrity. By adjusting the path in real-time according to current speed and direction, the system achieves faster transit while maintaining safe operational parameters for the towed seismic elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the trajectory is adjusted to minimize travel time, then productivity increases, but the alignment of towed seismic elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel time efficiencyVSAvoidalignment of towed seismic elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts trajectory parameters to optimize both travel time and element alignment simultaneously. By computing the corrected trajectory that accounts for water current effects, the system achieves faster transit times while maintaining proper geometric relationships among the towed seismic elements throughout the maneuver

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12510364B2Method for planning a trajectory in presence of water current

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 SERCEL SAS

AI summary

A method performed by a marine vessel plans a trajectory between a first point and a second point, the trajectory having a first path and a second path. The method includes a first step of computing a theoretical trajectory in a ground reference frame from the first point to the second point, assuming an absence of water current. The theoretical trajectory has a first theoretical path and a second theoretical path. A second step includes computing a second path in the ground reference frame, and a third step includes computing a corrected first path in a water reference. A fourth step includes computing the trajectory in the ground reference frame from the first point to the second point based on the corrected first path and the second path.