Marine Cable Reference Potential for Survey Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine electromagnetic survey systems for subsurface exploration face challenges in efficiently and accurately measuring electric fields in underground strata using multiple detector electrodes, particularly in providing a consistent reference potential across a multi-cable array without electrical wiring connections between sensors.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cable array system with a fixed reference potential imposed on an electrical wire extending along the entire length of each cable, allowing all detector electrodes to use this reference for relative measurements, enabling accurate three-dimensional representation of underground strata without the need for separate wiring between electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate wiring connections are provided between each detector electrode to establish reference potential, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all reference potential connections into a single common wire that serves all detector electrodes simultaneously. Instead of providing separate wiring connections between each detector electrode and the reference potential source, a single wire carrying the reference potential is distributed along the cable to serve multiple electrodes, thereby reducing wiring complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The common reference wire serves multiple functions: it provides the reference potential for all detector electrodes along the cable and acts as a single unified connection point. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated wiring for each electrode's reference connection, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple cables are used to cover larger survey areas, then survey coverage is improved, but maintaining consistent reference potential across all cables becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes equipotential conditions across all cables by connecting each cable's reference wire to the same common reference potential source. This ensures that all detector electrodes across multiple cables operate with a consistent reference potential, enabling accurate comparative measurements throughout the entire multi-cable survey array.
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 solution allows for efficient and accurate measurements in different directions, reducing noise and compensating for anomalous variations in real time, enabling a detailed three-dimensional representation of underground strata with improved signal quality and reduced noise.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical wire with a fixed reference potential imposed thereon, the electrical wire extending along the entire body length
Implementation Method 2
The EM source emits either or both a time varying electric field and a time varying magnetic field, which propagate outwardly into the overlaying seawater and downwardly into the formations below the water bottom. The receivers most commonly used detect and record the induced electric field.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
Systems and methods for marine surveying of strata beneath a seafloor are disclosed, including, in certain aspects, systems employing one or more cables with a plurality of opto- electrical detector electrodes and an electrical wire with a fixed reference potential imposed thereon along the cable length. In a multi-cable system, the same fixed reference potential is applied to all wires in all cables.