Magnetic Cable Positioning Control for Marine Seismic Streamers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current control devices for instrumented cables in marine seismic surveys face challenges such as noise interference, complex and vulnerable electromechanical constructions, and inefficiencies in energy and signal transfer, leading to instability and increased costs due to entanglement and deviation from desired paths.
Innovation Solution
A system with smart wings and a control/command central that uses wireless/contact-less communication and energy transfer, allowing for local and global control of instrumented cables with three-axis positioning, autonomous operation, and adaptive control modes to maintain stability and reduce power consumption, even with malfunctioning components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional control devices with electromechanical constructions are used, then cable positioning control is achieved, but the system becomes complex and vulnerable to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electromechanical control systems with a magnetic field-based control mechanism. Magnetic actuators embedded in the cable interact with external magnetic fields to produce control forces, eliminating complex mechanical linkages, gears, and moving parts while maintaining effective cable positioning control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device integrates multiple functions into a single unified system. The magnetic actuators serve both as sensors for detecting cable position and as actuators for applying control forces, while also providing depth control and lateral positioning capabilities through coordinated magnetic field interactions.
2Measurement precision
If control devices are deployed to maintain cable position, then positioning control is improved, but noise interference increases affecting seismic signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical motors, generators, and moving parts that generate electromagnetic noise and mechanical vibrations. The magnetic field-based control system operates silently without generating the noise that interferes with sensitive seismic hydrophone measurements, while still achieving precise cable position control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cable tension is maintained from the towing point, then cable stability is improved, but the system becomes energy inefficient due to continuous power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic actuators in the cable can operate autonomously using energy stored in onboard batteries or energy harvested from the water flow and magnetic field interactions. The distributed control architecture allows each section of the cable to self-regulate its position based on local sensors and actuators, reducing the need for continuous energy input from the towing vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses periodic adjustments rather than continuous active control. Magnetic actuators apply forces in periodic cycles to maintain cable position, allowing the cable to naturally return to equilibrium between adjustments, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous active stabilization.
4Measurement precision
If multiple control devices are distributed along the cable, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cable into multiple segments with distributed magnetic actuators and sensors along its length. Each segment independently measures its position and applies local magnetic forces for control, enabling precise positioning of the entire cable through coordination of multiple simple modular units rather than a single complex centralized control system.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
System and method for controlling an instrumented cable (30) towed in water, such as a marine seismic streamer and/or an instrumented towed cable array (streamer array), to which at least one instrumented cable (30), control devices (10, 20) are arranged to control the individual instrumented cables (30) both in shape and position in relation to other instrumented cables (30) and then counteract cross currents and/or other dynamic forces affecting a towed cable array behind a seismic survey vessel (50). The wings (12, 23) of the control devices (10, 20) are provided with acoustic transmitter/receiver means (14) and electronics for acoustic ranging, and the vessel (50) and one or more tail buoys (60) are provided with acoustic transmitter/receiver means (62) and electronics for acoustic ranging, and is provided with instrumentation for absolute position and velocity.