Seismic Cable Connector with Reduced Diameter Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic cable connectors in marine environments pose challenges due to snagging, binding, and tangling risks, as well as inaccurate placement of seismic sensor units caused by buoyancy and hydrodynamic forces, which can lead to drift from intended locations.
Innovation Solution
A seismic cable connector with a cylindrical body featuring a central portion of smaller diameter than the ends, allowing for rotatable coupling of cable segments and seismic sensor units, designed to minimize snagging and drift while providing a secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connectors with ring-like or hook-like members are used, then quick connection and disconnection of seismic sensor units is facilitated, but the risk of cable snagging, binding, and tangling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is designed with a substantially cylindrical shape featuring a reduced diameter central portion, eliminating sharp corners and protruding members that cause snagging. The curved cylindrical surface allows the cable to pass smoothly through the connector during deployment and retrieval operations, preventing binding and tangling while maintaining ease of operation.
2Length of moving object
If cable segments are connected in marine environments, then the overall cable length is increased for extended survey coverage, but inaccurate placement of seismic sensor units occurs due to buoyancy and hydrodynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical connector body with reduced central diameter minimizes hydrodynamic drag and prevents water flow-induced tumbling during deployment. This streamlined shape ensures that seismic sensor units are placed accurately at predetermined intervals along the cable, preventing drift from intended locations while enabling extended cable lengths for broader survey coverage.
3Reliability
If connectors with larger body diameter are used, then secure attachment of seismic sensor units is ensured, but the connector size increases causing more snagging and binding
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body features a reduced diameter central portion that minimizes snagging and binding, while the opposing ends maintain a larger diameter to provide secure attachment points for cable segments and seismic sensor units. This localized variation in diameter allows the connector to simultaneously achieve reliable attachment and reduced harmful interactions with the cable and environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a seismic cable is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of cable segments comprising at least a first cable segment and a second cable segment coupled by a connector. The connector comprises a cylindrical body having a first diameter, a portion of the body having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter and centrally positioned between opposing ends of the body, a first coupling section having a terminating end of the first cable segment anchored therein, and a second coupling section having a terminating end of the second cable segment anchored therein, at least a portion of the first and second coupling sections being rotatably coupled to respective ends of the body, wherein the connector isolates the first cable segment from the second cable segment. A method of deployment and retrieval of the seismic cable is also described.