Seafloor Seismometer Deployment Skid with Helix Conveyor and Fins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for acquiring seismic data from a seabed face challenges in efficiently deploying and retrieving ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) units, particularly in stabilizing the movement of equipment through aqueous mediums and ensuring accurate data collection.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a cylindrical case with a helix structure conveyor and fins to stabilize rotation, allowing OBS units to be transported and deployed on the seabed, featuring a cap with a conical shape and ballast for balance, and a conveyor system with a support structure to facilitate the transfer of units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional deployment system is used to deploy OBS units, then the deployment process is simple, but the equipment experiences uncontrolled rotation and instability in aqueous medium
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment system is divided into distinct functional modules: a case for housing OBS units, a helix conveyor mechanism for transport, and fin structures for stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system stability in aqueous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The helix conveyor acts as an intermediary mechanism between the case and the OBS units, providing controlled transport. The fin structures serve as intermediaries that interact with the aqueous medium to generate stabilizing forces, mediating between the moving equipment and the environment.
2Measurement precision
If OBS units are deployed without a stabilization mechanism, then the deployment process is fast, but rotational forces affect data collection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structures are designed to preemptively counteract rotational forces before they can interfere with OBS unit deployment or data collection. By providing preliminary stabilization, the system prevents harmful rotation rather than correcting it after the fact, ensuring measurement precision from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The helix conveyor mechanism pre-positions OBS units in a controlled manner before deployment, ensuring they are properly oriented and stabilized. This preliminary action prepares the equipment for accurate data collection while minimizing the time required during actual deployment.
3Manufacturing precision
If a helix conveyor structure is used to transport OBS units, then the deployment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helix conveyor utilizes a spiral/curved structure that naturally guides OBS units along a controlled path. This curved geometry provides inherent positioning accuracy through its geometric constraints, achieving precise placement without requiring additional complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The helix conveyor is designed to transport OBS units through its geometric structure alone, utilizing gravity and the natural spiral path. The structure serves its own function of positioning and transporting units without requiring external power sources or complex control systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision.
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 effectively stabilizes the movement of equipment, ensures accurate deployment and retrieval of OBS units, and enhances the efficiency of seismic data acquisition by reducing rotational forces and improving operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor having a helix structure and provided within the case. The conveyor can receive an ocean bottom seismometer ('OBS') unit at a first end of the conveyer and transport the OBS unit via the helix structure to a second end of the conveyor
Implementation Method 2
The first fin can be separated from the second fin by a predetermined angle to control rotation or spin of the case through an aqueous medium. The first and second fins can control rotation or spin or dampen rotation or spin by exerting force or creating and controlling the exerted force
Implementation Method 3
The cap can include a conical shape. A base of the cap can be coupled to the first end of the case. The system can include ballast for balance
Implementation Method 4
The OBS unit can be attached to the seabed, positioned on the seabed, put in contact with the seabed, coupled to the seabed, or otherwise connected to the seabed. The OBS unit can be sufficiently connected to the seabed to collect seismic data from or via the seabed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a skid structure for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a skid structure. A conveyor is provided in the skid structure. The conveyor includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A capture appliance is provided at the first end of the conveyor. The capture appliance includes an arm to close to hold a case storing one or more ocean bottom seismometer ("OBS") units, and to open to release the case. The capture appliance includes an alignment mechanism to align an opening of the case with the first end of the conveyor. A deployment appliance can be at the second end of the conveyor. The deployment appliance can place an OBS unit of the one or more OBS units onto the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.