Deformable Geophysical Sensor Enclosure for Rocky Terrain Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geophysical surveys in regions with rugged terrain and rocky soil pose challenges due to difficulty in achieving efficient mechanical coupling between seismic sensors and the ground, which affects the quality of subsurface imaging, especially in areas with thin or no topsoil.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a deformable sealed enclosure filled with materials that can conform to the ground surface, housing geophysical sensors like geophones or accelerometers, and equipped with a deployment and retrieval system using unmanned platforms to ensure effective contact and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seismic sensors are placed in the ground using traditional pegging methods, then efficient mechanical coupling is achieved in areas with topsoil, but the method becomes difficult or impossible in rocky terrain with thin or no topsoil layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible enclosure made of deformable material that can conform to irregular ground surfaces. The enclosure includes a flexible membrane or shell that deforms under its own weight or applied pressure to match the contours of rocky or uneven terrain, enabling effective coupling without traditional pegging methods. This flexible structure maintains intimate contact with the ground surface across various terrain types.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is designed to be dynamically adaptable rather than statically fixed. It can deform and adjust its shape in response to different ground conditions, transitioning from a compact transport state to an expanded operational state that conforms to the specific terrain geometry. This dynamic behavior allows the same device to effectively couple with diverse ground surfaces.
2Measurement precision
If a dense array of receivers is deployed to obtain high-quality three-dimensional subsurface images, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is designed to autonomously deploy itself without requiring manual intervention for each unit. The enclosure automatically expands and conforms to the ground surface when released, and the sensor unit self-activates and begins data collection immediately. This self-service capability enables rapid deployment of dense receiver arrays, as each unit independently completes the deployment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the survey area into multiple discrete deployment locations, with individual sensor units deployed at each location. Each unit is a self-contained module that can be independently deployed and operated. This segmentation allows parallel deployment across multiple sites, facilitating the creation of dense three-dimensional receiver arrays through coordinated deployment of numerous independent units.
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
The sensor device achieves efficient mechanical coupling with the ground, enhancing the quality of geophysical measurements and enabling reliable deployment and retrieval in challenging terrains, thereby improving the accuracy of subsurface imaging.
Implementation Method 1
the enclosure being at least partially filled with a material able to be deformed by the surface of the ground
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensor device for geophysical measurement intended to be disposed on a surface of a ground, comprising:a sealed enclosure deformable into at least one stable configuration in which a surface of the enclosure is deformed by a surface of the ground against which the surface of the enclosure is in contact, the enclosure being partially filled with a material configured to be deformed by said surface,at least one geophysical sensor arranged inside the enclosure , and fully surrounded by the material or being fixed or printed on the surface of the enclosure intended to be in contact with the surface of the ground.