Source Umbilical Cable Without Power Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing source umbilical cables used in marine geophysical surveying are heavy and large, causing significant drag, leading to increased fuel consumption, stress, and rupture, while the high power requirements and complexity of these cables result in frequent interruptions and costly repairs during operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a source umbilical cable without functioning power cables, utilizing a local electricity generator to supply power to signal sources, reducing the cable's diameter and weight, and incorporating a local power generator to provide electrical power to the signal sources, such as air guns or electromagnetic sources, thereby eliminating the need for onboard power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional source umbilical cables with power cables are used to supply electrical power to signal sources, then the signal sources can be powered reliably, but the cable becomes heavy and large causing significant drag and increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power cable component from the source umbilical cable assembly, extracting the power transmission function from the cable itself. The power cable is completely eliminated from the cable structure, and power is instead generated locally at the signal source using a generator driven by the towing motion through the water.
2Power
If traditional source umbilical cables with power cables are used, then electrical power can be transmitted to signal sources, but the cable diameter increases leading to greater drag and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission function is extracted from the cable structure itself. Instead of including power cables within the umbilical cable, the system uses a local generator at the signal source to generate power independently, eliminating the need for power cables and reducing cable diameter.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex source umbilical cables with multiple components are used, then all necessary functions can be provided, but the complexity increases leading to frequent interruptions and costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission function is extracted from the complex cable assembly, eliminating power cables and associated components. This simplification reduces the number of components that can fail, decreasing maintenance requirements and operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal source generates its own power through a local generator driven by towing motion, making the system self-sufficient. This eliminates dependence on the cable for power transmission, reducing the cable's functional requirements and overall system complexity.
4Power
If traditional source umbilical cables are used, then electrical power can be supplied to signal sources, but fuel consumption increases due to drag
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable is removed from the cable assembly, reducing cable diameter and weight. This reduction decreases hydrodynamic drag during towing operations, directly lowering the energy required to pull the cable and signal sources through the water.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal source generates its own power through a generator driven by the towing motion itself. This converts what would be wasted kinetic energy into useful electrical power, eliminating the need for power transmission through the cable and reducing overall system energy requirements.
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 reduces the drag and weight of the umbilical cable, increases the capacity for signal sources, simplifies repairs, and enhances operational efficiency by providing a reliable and cost-effective means of powering geophysical survey equipment, allowing for larger arrays and more extensive data acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a local electricity generator to supply power
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed relating to the operation of a source umbilical cable without functioning power cables from the source umbilical cable. Techniques are disclosed relating to a source umbilical cable without a power cable (e.g., a cable configured or operable to supply electrical power), and an apparatus that includes a geophysical signal source (e.g., a seismic signal source) with an electrical power generating component. The apparatus may, in one embodiment, include a geophysical signal source with a local generator configured to supply electrical power to electrical components of the geophysical signal source. In another embodiment where the geophysical signal source is being towed behind a vessel, a generator of the geophysical signal source may generate and supply electrical power based on motion of the generator through a body of water.