Seismic Sensor Deriving Rotation Data from Translational Gradients

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Seismic surveying faces challenges in accurately measuring rotation data, which is essential for noise attenuation and data processing, as existing systems often require separate rotational sensors and struggle with ground-roll noise contamination.

Innovation Solution

A seismic sensor system that includes a single housing with co-axial particle motion sensors spaced along a longitudinal axis, capable of deriving rotation data from translational measurements, eliminating the need for separate rotational sensors and enhancing noise attenuation by combining translational and rotational data for improved seismic data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate rotational sensors are used to measure rotation data, then measurement precision of rotation data is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation data measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines rotational sensor functionality with translational sensor functionality into a single integrated sensor unit. The sensor measures both translational motion (acceleration, velocity, position) and rotational motion (angular velocity, orientation) using a unified sensing platform, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision for both types of data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of measuring multiple physical quantities including translational acceleration, rotational acceleration, orientation, and position within a single device. This universal sensing capability eliminates the need for separate dedicated rotational sensors while preserving measurement accuracy across all parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are deployed to obtain both translational and rotational data, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseismic data measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating rotational and translational sensing capabilities into a single sensor unit with a common reference frame, the patent eliminates the need for precise alignment between separate sensors. The unified sensor design inherently provides consistent spatial relationships between measurement axes, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate rotational sensors are used, then reliability of rotation data is improved, but quantity of substance (system components) increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation data reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges rotational and translational sensing into a single integrated sensor, reducing the total number of components while ensuring data reliability through a unified measurement platform that eliminates synchronization and calibration issues between separate sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional sensor provides both rotational and translational measurement capabilities within a single device, reducing component quantity while maintaining reliability through consistent data acquisition from a common reference frame and synchronized measurement system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2960679B1Computing rotation data using a gradient of translational data
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 WESTERNGECO LLC
  • EP2960679B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2C
  • EP2960679B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2960679B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Translational data in a first direction is measured by particle motion sensors contained in an elongated housing of a sensor device provided at an earth surface. The particle motion sensors are spaced apart along a second, different direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated housing. Rotation data around a third direction is computed based at least in part on computing a gradient of the translational data with respect to the second direction.