Seismic Node Capsule Loading Trolley Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine seismic exploration methods face space constraints and limited deployment capacity due to the storage of seismic nodes on vessel decks, which restricts the number of nodes that can be deployed at the sea bottom, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a trolley with latching and inserting/withdrawing mechanisms to efficiently attach and detach sensor capsules from seismic node casings on a running seismic cable, allowing for quick and cost-effective deployment and retrieval of seismic nodes, enabling storage of a larger number of nodes on the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If seismic nodes are stored in racks on the vessel deck, then the nodes can be organized and accessed, but the vessel deck space is consumed and the number of deployable nodes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensor capsule from the seismic node casing, allowing the casing to be stored on the vessel deck while the capsule is deployed separately. This separation enables the vessel to carry more node casings without proportionally increasing deck space requirements, as the deployed nodes occupy minimal space on the seabed.
Solution Approach 2:
The seismic node is segmented into two components: a reusable casing and a disposable sensor capsule. The casing contains the electronics and power supply, while the capsule contains the sensor elements. This segmentation allows the casing to be stored efficiently and the capsule to be deployed independently, increasing overall system capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If more seismic nodes are deployed to cover larger areas, then exploration coverage increases, but the storage space required on the vessel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor capsule is inserted into the inner compartment of the node casing, creating a nested structure. The capsule fits within the casing volume, allowing the complete node assembly to be stored in a compact form on the vessel deck while maintaining the capability to deploy the full sensor system.
3Device complexity
If sensor capsules are permanently attached to node casings, then assembly is simplified, but replacement and reuse of casings is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor capsule is pre-assembled and tested independently before being inserted into the node casing. The casing is also prepared in advance with the inner compartment ready to receive the capsule. This preliminary preparation simplifies the final assembly process while maintaining the ability to replace capsules and reuse casings.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the sensor capsule and node casing is made dynamic rather than permanent. The capsule can be inserted into and removed from the casing as needed, allowing the system to adapt to different deployment scenarios and enabling casing reuse after capsule replacement.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An apparatus and methods for loading and unloading of sensor capsules (9) into or out of seismic node casings (5) forming part of a seismic cable (19) to be deployed or retrieved by a vessel (18), the apparatus comprises: a trolley (3) with room for at least one sensor capsule (9), the trolley (3) is moveable back and forth in a direction essentially corresponding to the longitudinal direction (24, 25) of the seismic cable (19); a support structure (12) for the trolley (3); a latching mechanism (7) for latching the trolley (3) to a node casing (5), and at least one inserting/withdrawing mechanism (8, 11) for inserting and withdrawing the sensor capsules (9) into or out of the node casing (5).