Hydrophone Calibration for Pressure and Acceleration Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic sensor streamers face challenges in accurately measuring pressure and particle motion due to the use of separate hydrophones and geophones, which increases complexity and difficulty in isolating these components, leading to noise interference.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple hydrophone sensor pairs with piezoelectric materials, coupled with differential amplifiers and calibration circuits, allows for simultaneous measurement and separation of pressure and acceleration components using the same sensors, reducing noise and improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate hydrophones and geophones are used for detecting pressure and particle motion, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and noise interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pressure detection and particle motion detection into a single hydrophone sensor. The hydrophone measures both pressure variations and acceleration-induced voltage signals simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate geophone components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement capabilities for both parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophone is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects pressure variations for seismic data collection and simultaneously measures acceleration through voltage changes caused by sensor movement. This multi-functional approach replaces traditional separate hydrophone and geophone arrangements, simplifying the sensor system while expanding measurement capabilities
2Measurement precision
If separate hydrophones and geophones are used, then measurement capability is improved, but noise interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the geophone component from the traditional sensor arrangement, keeping only the hydrophone. By eliminating the separate geophone, the system removes a potential source of noise and complexity while still achieving particle motion detection through the hydrophone's acceleration-sensitive voltage measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the hydrophone's sensitivity to acceleration, which could be seen as a source of noise when measuring pressure, into a beneficial feature for simultaneous particle motion detection. By properly calibrating and processing the acceleration-induced voltage signals, the system transforms what could be harmful interference into useful measurement data for particle motion
3Measurement precision
If calibration circuits are added to match sensor sensitivities, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements calibration circuits that are pre-configured to match the sensitivities of the hydrophone sensors during manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary calibration ensures that all sensors in the array have matched responses to acceleration, eliminating the need for complex real-time calibration procedures during field operations and reducing overall system complexity
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 approach enables more accurate and efficient measurement of pressure and particle motion, reducing noise interference and simplifying the maintenance of seismic streamers by using a single type of sensor for both measurements.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage signal produced by a piezoelectric material in a hydrophone sensor in response to pressure
Implementation Method 2
A voltage signal produced by a piezoelectric material in a hydrophone sensor in response to acceleration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed relating to calibrating sensors configured to measure both pressure and acceleration. In various embodiments, a system detects a first voltage produce by a first piezoelectric material in a hydrophone when the hydrophone is exposed to an acceleration and detects a second voltage produced by a second piezoelectric material in the hydrophone when the hydrophone is exposed to the acceleration. The system, in some embodiments, compares the first voltage and the second voltage. Based on the comparing of the first and second voltages, in some embodiments, the system determines a resistance for a variable resistor coupled to one of the first and second piezoelectric materials.