Seismic Node Deployer with Vertical and Horizontal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic surveys face challenges in accurately deploying and retrieving ocean bottom seismic nodes due to depth-related vertical and horizontal forces, which can cause deviations from the desired path on the seafloor, leading to inaccurate seismic data and increased costs in sealing and noise interference.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with vertical and horizontal control means, utilizing a towing cable with a winch and thrusters, and a guiding frame or rotatable drum to deploy and retrieve nodes at predetermined intervals along a desired path, ensuring accurate positioning and minimizing noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nodes are deployed using an OBC suspended from a vessel, then deployment capability is achieved, but vertical forces from negative buoyancy and horizontal forces from currents cause deviations from the desired path on the seafloor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a deployment vehicle, winch, and cable assembly that mediates between the surface vessel and the seafloor nodes. This intermediary system provides controlled deployment while compensating for environmental forces, ensuring accurate node placement along the desired path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms through position sensors, depth sensors, and control systems that continuously monitor the deployment status and adjust the winch operation and vehicle positioning to maintain accurate node placement despite vertical and horizontal forces.
2Volume of moving object
If the depth of deployment increases, then survey coverage is improved, but the risk of leakage through the housing opening increases and sealing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the physical housing opening by using wireless communication or stored data transfer mechanisms. This eliminates the need for deep-sea sealed openings, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while achieving extended survey coverage through autonomous node operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous nodes operate independently at depth, storing and processing seismic data locally without requiring real-time communication through sealed housings. This self-service capability eliminates the sealing vulnerability while enabling deep deployment for extended survey coverage.
3Loss of information
If a cable stretches from the seafloor to the surface for communication, then real-time data transmission is achieved, but the cable induces motion, vibrations and noise that disturb seismic measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical communication cable from the seismic measurement environment by implementing autonomous operation with post-retrieval data transfer. This extraction eliminates the cable-induced vibrations and noise while preserving data transmission capability through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The nodes autonomously perform data acquisition, processing, and storage without requiring continuous cable connection. This self-service approach eliminates the harmful cable vibrations during measurement while maintaining full data transmission capability through onboard memory and post-survey retrieval.
4Manufacturing precision
If nodes are deployed one by one by ROV, then positioning accuracy is improved, but deployment time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deployment process into controlled stages using a winch system that releases nodes at predetermined intervals along a cable. This segmentation enables multiple nodes to be deployed simultaneously or in rapid succession while maintaining accurate spacing and positioning, thereby increasing deployment speed without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the deployment rate and node release timing based on real-time position feedback and environmental conditions. This dynamic control enables rapid deployment of multiple nodes while maintaining the positioning accuracy traditionally achieved only through slow, individual ROV placement.
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
This solution enables precise deployment and retrieval of seismic nodes, reducing errors in seismic data and costs associated with sealing and noise reduction, while maintaining the benefits of prior art methods.
Implementation Method 1
vertical control means for adjusting a height over the seafloor by means of the towing cable
Implementation Method 2
horizontal control means for adjusting a horizontal position according to the desired path
Implementation Method 3
deployment and retrieval means for deploying nodes connected to a wire at predetermined intervals along the path
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100) for deploying and retrieving seismic nodes (200) comprises a towing connection (101) connecting the apparatus (100) to a towing cable (10) running from a towing vessel; vertical control means (125; 5; 120, 12) for adjusting a height over the seafloor by means of the towing cable (10); horizontal control means (125; 130-133) for adjusting a horizontal position according to the desired path and deployment and retrieval means (151; 160, 170, 180) for deploying and receiving nodes (200) connected to a wire (150) at predetermined intervals along the path. The deployment means are preferably configured to deploy the nodes (150) without substantial pull from the previously deployed wire (150).