Seismic Source Array Protective Structure for Safe Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The launching and recovery of seismic source arrays in harsh marine conditions pose risks due to manual handling and the potential for seismic sources to collide with the ship hull or endanger operators, as they suspend freely from the housing during deployment and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A seismic source array with a protective structure attached to the housing, where seismic sources can be restrained within a protective space during launch and recovery, and a pivotable arm or hoist line mechanism allows for controlled movement of at least one source to a secondary position outside the protective space for operation and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seismic sources suspend freely from the housing during launch and recovery, then the array can be deployed and retrieved, but the seismic sources may collide with the ship hull or endanger operators
Solution Approach 1:
The array is divided into a housing and separate seismic sources that can be independently positioned. The seismic sources are segmented from the housing and can be suspended at different positions, allowing them to be retracted into the protective space of the housing during launch and recovery operations, thereby eliminating collision risks while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
A suspension structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the housing and seismic sources. This intermediary system enables controlled movement of seismic sources between an operational position (extended from housing) and a protective position (retracted into housing), mediating between the need for easy deployment and the need to prevent harmful collisions.
2Ease of operation
If seismic sources are positioned close to the housing for easy handling, then manual handling is simplified, but the sources form a danger to operators on deck
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension structure provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing seismic sources to be moved between different positions. During launch and recovery, sources can be retracted close to the housing for safe and easy handling. During normal operation, sources can be extended to their operational depths. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between ease of handling and operator safety.
3Reliability
If seismic sources suspend at typical distances of a couple of meters underneath the housing, then they can operate effectively, but they form a danger to operators during recovery and launch
Solution Approach 1:
Before launch or recovery operations begin, the seismic sources are preliminarily retracted into the protective space of the housing. This preliminary action eliminates the safety hazard to operators while maintaining the capability to extend sources to operational depths once the array is in position. The system prepares in advance by positioning sources safely, then transitions to operational configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a seismic source array for deploying a seismic source array, comprising a housing and a plurality of seismic sources suspending from the housing, each source being configured for generating a pressure pulse signal, wherein the array further comprises a protective structure attached to the housing and defining a protective space near the housing, wherein the seismic sources in a first position relative to the housing suspend from the housing such as to be arranged in the protective space defined by the protective structure, and wherein at least one of the seismic sources suspends from the housing by means of a suspension structure configured for moving the at least one seismic source to a second position relative to the housing, the second position being located outside the protective space.