Optical Fiber Sensor Streamer for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Geophysical Surveys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Marine-based geophysical surveying faces challenges in conducting surveys under surface obstructions like sea ice or around fixed objects, as traditional sensor streamers require significant towing force, which is unsustainable for autonomous underwater vehicles powered by batteries.

Innovation Solution

A sensor streamer comprising a distributed optical fiber sensing element, towed by an autonomous underwater vehicle, which reduces towing force by using a thin optical fiber with a resilient coating and optional strength members, allowing for near-continuous coverage and efficient energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional sensor streamers are used for marine geophysical surveying, then survey coverage is achieved, but towing force requirements become excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurvey coverageVSAvoidtowing force

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensor arrays with an optical fiber-based sensing system. The optical fiber streamer uses optical interrogation techniques instead of mechanical sensing elements, dramatically reducing the towing force required while maintaining survey coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the sensor streamer by using thin optical fiber (1-10 mm diameter) instead of traditional bulky sensor arrays. This parameter change reduces the cross-sectional area and drag, thereby reducing towing force requirements while maintaining sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If autonomous underwater vehicles tow long sensor streamers, then survey coverage increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurvey coverageVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber-based sensing system eliminates the need for powerful propulsion systems required by traditional mechanical sensor arrays. The reduced towing force allows AUVs to tow longer streamers for extended survey coverage while consuming less energy from their battery power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the sensor streamer to use thin optical fiber with reduced drag characteristics, the system enables longer towing distances with lower power consumption, extending the operational range of AUVs without requiring additional energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If surface obstructions like sea ice are present, then traditional survey methods fail, but autonomous vehicle deployment enables surveying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to survey under obstructionsVSAvoiddeployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber sensing system enables AUVs to operate independently beneath surface obstructions like sea ice. The distributed optical sensing capability allows the vehicle to conduct surveys in environments where traditional surface-based or mechanically-towed systems cannot operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous underwater vehicle independently deploys and operates the optical fiber sensor streamer beneath surface obstructions without requiring external assistance. The system is self-sufficient, allowing the AUV to navigate and survey in challenging environments autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enables geophysical surveys under surface obstructions with reduced towing force, enabling the autonomous underwater vehicle to sustainably tow long sensor streamers and maintain energy for both surveying and retrieval, overcoming the limitations of traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

the sensing element of the sensor streamer is an optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS9459363B2Method and system of performing geophysical surveys with autonomous underwater vehicles

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS

AI summary

Performing a geophysical survey beneath a surface obstruction, or around a fixed object or formation. At least some of the example embodiments include: programming a towing pattern into an autonomous underwater vehicle; and towing a sensor streamer under the surface obstruction, or around the fixed object or formation by the autonomous underwater vehicle. In some of the embodiments, the sensor streamer comprises a distributed sensor in the form of an optical fiber. In some of the embodiments, the optical fiber is encapsulated in an outer covering of resilient material, the resilient material exposed to the water during the towing.