Marine Streamer Positioning via Optical Tracking and Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic data acquisition methods in marine environments face challenges with streamer entanglement and collision due to external stresses, requiring frequent human intervention and inefficient centralized control systems, which are costly and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A method for deploying and retrieving linear acoustic antennas using distance-measuring means and navigational control systems distributed along the streamers, allowing for real-time position control and repositioning to maintain predefined reference distances, reducing the risk of entanglement and collision, and eliminating the need for human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If centralized control systems with active controllers and acoustic transducers are used to control streamer positions, then streamer positioning capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the centralized acoustic control system with a passive optical tracking system using reflectors and video cameras. This substitution eliminates complex acoustic transducers and centralized processing, reducing system complexity while maintaining positioning capability through optical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses video imaging to create a visual copy of the streamer positions and uses this copied information for control purposes. The video camera captures images of reflectors on streamers, creating a visual representation that can be processed to determine positions without requiring complex acoustic measurement systems.
2Productivity
If more streamers are deployed to increase sensor array width, then data acquisition capability is improved, but risk of entanglement and collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system using video cameras that continuously monitor streamer positions and provide real-time information to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of streamer positions to prevent entanglement and collision, allowing more streamers to be deployed safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically adjusts streamer positions based on video feedback without requiring human intervention. The system serves itself by detecting potential conflicts and autonomously repositioning streamers to avoid entanglement, enabling higher density deployments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If human intervention is used to manage streamer deployment and retrieval, then operational flexibility is maintained, but safety risks and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated deployment and retrieval operations that function without human intervention. The control system autonomously manages streamer positions, deployment rates, and retrieval processes, eliminating safety risks associated with human operators while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated control system as an intermediary between the operator and the streamer deployment/retrieval processes. This intermediary handles all operational decisions and adjustments, eliminating the need for direct human intervention while preserving operational adaptability through software control.
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 method enhances the responsiveness and reliability of streamer positioning, reduces the risk of entanglement and collision, and eliminates the need for human intervention during deployment and retrieval, improving safety and reducing operational costs by using closed-loop control and continuous power supply.
Implementation Method 1
means for measuring the distance of at least one adjacent linear antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assisting the deployment/retrieval of linear acoustic antennas towed by a vessel, said linear antennas each having geophysical data sensors, means for measuring the distance of at least one adjacent linear antenna, during the course of which at least one of said linear acoustic antennas has at least longitudinal mobility in relation to said vessel, including: at least one phase for configuring cells (Cn) each defined by a central position corresponding to a distance-measuring means (T), and by at least one peripheral position corresponding to another distance-measuring means (T) in proximity to said distance-measuring means (T) for said central position, reference distances between said central positions and said peripheral positions being predetermined; and at least one phase for controlling said central and peripheral positions with respect to said reference distances, by establishing communication between at least some of said distance-measuring means (T).