Seabed Survey Node With Soil Sample Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine survey techniques face limitations in data quality and deployment speed, particularly in areas where towing streamers is not feasible, such as shallow waters or near rigs, and lack comprehensive pollution mapping capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Marine survey nodes equipped with additional receivers and soil sample modules are deployed to enhance data acquisition, allowing for multi-component seismic and electromagnetic surveys, improved spatial density, and pollution mapping by collecting and analyzing seabed samples for microplastics and absorbed gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If marine survey vessels tow streamers over subterranean formations, then wavefield data can be collected for imaging, but deployment is not feasible in shallow waters or near rigs and spatial density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the marine survey system into discrete deployable nodes that can be independently positioned on the seabed. Each node contains receivers and associated equipment, allowing flexible deployment in areas where traditional streamer towing is not feasible, such as shallow waters or near offshore rigs.
Solution Approach 2:
The survey nodes are designed to be self-contained units that can be deployed and positioned independently without requiring complex towing infrastructure. The nodes autonomously perform survey functions at their deployed locations, eliminating the need for continuous vessel towing and enabling operation in previously inaccessible areas.
2Measurement precision
If conventional marine survey techniques are used, then basic seismic data can be acquired, but data quality and illumination in challenging areas are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receiver types and survey capabilities into integrated seabed nodes. This merging of functions within single deployable units enables simultaneous data collection from multiple sources, improving data quality and illumination in challenging survey areas while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional receivers and soil sample modules are added to marine survey nodes, then multi-component surveys and pollution mapping capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The survey nodes are designed as universal platforms that can perform multiple survey functions including seismic reception, electromagnetic sensing, and soil sample collection. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating various receiver types and sampling modules into a single standardized node design, enabling diverse survey capabilities without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
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 provides high-quality data with increased illumination in challenging areas and enables effective pollution mapping, reducing costs and complexity compared to traditional methods while offering faster deployment options.
Implementation Method 1
actuating the first valve so that a pressure differential draws the soil sample into the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A marine survey node can include a body to be deployed to a seabed, a marine survey receiver coupled to the body and to acquire marine survey data, and a soil sample module associated with the body to collect a soil sample from the seabed. A soil sample module can include a vessel, a first valve coupled to the vessel, and a spike coupled to the vessel. The spike can penetrate an earth surface. The first valve can maintain a pressure difference between the vessel and the spike when closed and equalize a pressure between the vessel and the spike when open. An inlet in the spike can equalize pressure between an inside of the spike and an outside of the spike and to collect a soil sample from the earth surface.