Rigid Frame Marine Survey System for Ultrahigh Resolution Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine survey systems face challenges in achieving ultrahigh resolution mapping of marine bottoms due to limitations in bin size and the resulting complexity in managing closely spaced towing cables.
Innovation Solution
A marine survey system that employs a rigid frame with multiple independent acoustic sources, towed as a single unit behind a vessel, to maintain a fixed source-to-source distance and prevent tangling of cables, enabling smaller bin sizes and higher resolution mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple independent acoustic sources are towed separately to achieve high resolution mapping, then the bin size can be reduced, but the towing cables become tangled and management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent acoustic sources onto a single rigid framework structure, towing them as one integrated unit rather than separate entities. This combination eliminates the tangling problem of multiple independent towing cables while preserving the beneficial effects of having multiple closely-spaced sources for high-resolution mapping with small bin sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid framework acts as an intermediary structure that holds multiple acoustic sources at fixed relative positions. This intermediary framework allows the sources to be towed together as a single unit, mediating between the need for multiple independent sources and the need for simple cable management.
2Measurement precision
If multiple acoustic sources are placed close together to reduce bin size, then mapping resolution improves, but the sources may interfere with each other and positioning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the acoustic survey function into multiple independent acoustic sources, each capable of separate activation and control. This segmentation allows the sources to be distributed across the framework at optimized spacings to achieve the desired bin size while maintaining independent operational control that prevents interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of individual acoustic sources, allowing selective activation and timing of each source based on its position and the survey requirements. This dynamic operation enables closely-spaced sources to work cooperatively without interference, maintaining positioning accuracy despite close spacing.
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 system achieves ultrahigh resolution mapping with bin sizes as small as 1x1 meter, allowing for better distinction of marine bottom regions with resolutions of less than two meters, while preventing cable tangling and improving survey efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each acoustic source is controlled to emit a separate acoustic wave propagating through the water and reflecting off bottom regions
Implementation Method 2
acoustic wave propagating through the water and reflecting off bottom regions at or inside the marine bottom
Data Source
AI summary
A marine survey system and method for ultrahigh resolution (UHR) mapping of a marine bottom (B) below a body of water (W) by means of a frame (20) towed as a whole by one or more towing cables (12) at a distance (Xf) behind a marine vessel (10) moving over the water (W) in a movement direction (V). The frame (20) comprises a rigid framework (23) and a plurality of independent acoustic sources (21), wherein each acoustic source (21) is independently controlled to emit a separate acoustic wave (A) propagating through the water (W) and reflecting off bottom regions of the marine bottom (B) for the mapping thereof. The acoustic sources (21) are kept fixated by the rigid framework (23) at a source-to-source distance (Ys) less than four meters in a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the movement direction (V) of the vessel (10) to distinguish the bottom regions with an ultrahigh resolution (Ry) of less than two meters at least in the transverse direction (Y).