Seismic Vessel Variable Turn Radius for Streamer Array Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic surveys face challenges in maintaining the shape and tension of streamer cables during turns, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage due to the lack of consideration for water currents and diverter speeds, resulting in longer turn radii and increased risk of cable tangling or damage.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamically determining the turn path of a seismic vessel relative to the moving body of water, using current sensors and adjustable diverter speeds to maintain acceptable tension and shape of the streamer cable array, allowing for sharper turns and reduced turn distances while avoiding excessive stress on equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the length of streamer cables is increased to improve seismic data collection quality, then the quality of seismic data is improved, but it becomes more difficult to keep streamer cables separated and in a desired shape during vessel turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the turn radius variable rather than fixed. The system continuously adjusts the turn radius based on real-time measurements of streamer cable tension, diverter speeds, and current conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both data quality (by maintaining adequate streamer length) and operational ease (by adapting turn geometry to prevent cable tangling and excessive tension).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through continuous monitoring of streamer cable tension, diverter speeds, and current magnitude/direction. This feedback loop enables the control system to adjust the vessel's turn radius in real-time, ensuring that the streamer cables remain in the desired shape and separation throughout the turning maneuver while still allowing for long cables to maintain high seismic data quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If the density of receivers in streamer cables is increased to improve seismic data quality, then the quality of seismic data is improved, but the complexity and difficulty of managing the streamer cable array increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the streamer cable array to regulate its own tension and shape through the interaction of multiple diverters at different locations. Each diverter can be independently controlled to maintain optimal cable configuration, allowing the system to self-adjust to turning conditions without requiring complex external intervention, thus managing high receiver density effectively.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vessel turns with a fixed large radius to maintain cable shape, then cable tangling is prevented, but the total distance traveled and time taken to complete turns increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed large turn radius to a variable turn radius that adapts in real-time. The system starts with a larger radius to prevent cable tangling during the initial phase of turning, then dynamically reduces the radius as the turn progresses and cable tension becomes acceptable, thereby minimizing total turn distance and time while still protecting cable integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by continuously modifying the turn radius parameter based on measured cable tension, diverter speeds, and current conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the vessel to optimize turn efficiency (reducing distance and time) while maintaining cable shape stability through adaptive control rather than relying on a conservative fixed radius.
4Productivity
If the vessel turns sharply to reduce turn distance and time, then productivity is improved, but excessive stress is applied to the streamer cable array and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of turn radius based on equipment stress indicators such as streamer cable tension and diverter speeds. This allows the system to execute sharper, more efficient turns when conditions permit (improving productivity) while automatically increasing the turn radius when stress thresholds are approached (protecting equipment strength).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring equipment stress parameters including streamer cable tension and diverter speeds. This feedback enables the control system to adjust turn sharpness dynamically, allowing aggressive turns that improve productivity when equipment stress is within acceptable limits, while preventing excessive stress by reducing turn sharpness when monitoring indicates approaching stress thresholds.
5Ease of operation
If conventional turn paths are used without considering water currents, then navigation is simplified, but the streamer cable array is subjected to uncontrolled forces and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating current sensors that continuously measure water current magnitude and direction. This feedback is integrated into the turn control system, which automatically adjusts the turn path and radius to compensate for current forces acting on the streamer cable array. This maintains cable array safety (reliability) while keeping navigation relatively simple through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses current information as an intermediary parameter that mediates between navigation simplicity and cable safety. The control system uses current data to calculate appropriate turn adjustments, acting as an intermediary that translates environmental conditions into control actions that protect the cable array without requiring complex manual navigation adjustments.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Operation of a marine vessel is disclosed. A marine vessel may be operated so as to determine that an end of a first sail line is approaching. Once determined, a turn path from the end of the first sail line to the beginning of a second sail line may be determined. The turn path may be determined based on at least one of current direction and current magnitude.