Marine Seismic Acquisition System Buoyancy Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic surveys using large vessels face challenges such as entanglement with obstacles, high operational costs, and difficulty in accessing certain areas due to the size and maneuverability of vessels, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of seismic data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned marine vessels equipped with multi-dimensional seismic sensor arrays and buoyancy engines, which include mechanisms for controlling buoyancy and orientation, allows for more precise and efficient data collection by deploying seismic sensors in a vertical or multi-dimensional configuration, reducing the need for large streamers and enabling operation in various marine environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional large vessels are used for marine seismic surveys, then seismic data acquisition can be performed, but the vessels face entanglement with obstacles, high operational costs, and difficulty in accessing certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the seismic acquisition function into separate components: an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for positioning and a separate sensor array for data collection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the AUV being small and maneuverable while the sensor array can be configured for optimal seismic detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cable or tether system that connects the AUV to the sensor array, allowing the sensor array to be positioned optimally for seismic data collection while the AUV handles the maneuvering and navigation functions. This intermediary enables functional separation and optimization of each component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large streamers are used for seismic sensor deployment, then seismic data can be collected, but the system becomes more complex and less adaptable to various marine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static, fixed-configuration streamers with a dynamic, reconfigurable sensor array that can be adjusted for different operational requirements. The sensor array can be repositioned and reconfigured to adapt to various marine environments and seismic survey objectives, enhancing versatility while reducing the complexity of deploying and managing long streamers.
3Measurement precision
If conventional seismic survey methods are used, then data acquisition can be performed, but noise interference reduces signal-to-noise ratio and affects data accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical streamer-based systems with an autonomous underwater vehicle system that uses electronic communication and precise positioning. This substitution allows for better control of the sensor array, reduced mechanical noise, and improved signal-to-noise ratio through active noise cancellation and signal processing techniques.
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 enhances the accuracy and efficiency of seismic data acquisition by reducing noise interference, improving signal-to-noise ratio, and allowing for more flexible and cost-effective surveys in challenging environments, while maintaining or improving the quality of seismic data compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyancy engine operatively coupled to the frame where the buoyancy engine includes at least one mechanism that controls buoyancy of at least the frame, the hydrophones and the buoyancy engine
Implementation Method 2
at least one inertial motion sensor operatively coupled to the frame that generates frame orientation data
Data Source
AI summary
A marine seismic acquisition system includes a frame that includes a central longitudinal axis and members that define orthogonal planes that intersect along the central longitudinal axis; a data interface operatively coupled to the frame; hydrophones operatively coupled to the frame; a buoyancy engine operatively coupled to the frame where the buoyancy engine includes at least one mechanism that controls buoyancy of at least the frame, the hydrophones and the buoyancy engine; and at least one inertial motion sensor operatively coupled to the frame that generates frame orientation data, where the hydrophones, the buoyancy engine and the at least one inertial motion sensor are operatively coupled to the data interface.