Steerable Fairing String for Marine Seismic Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seismic array systems require complex and drag-inducing equipment, such as paravanes and separation ropes, to maintain spacing between sub-arrays and streamer cables during oceanic surveys, which increases towing burden and reduces data quality.

Innovation Solution

A steerable fairing string with a foil and conduits is used to provide lateral hydrodynamic lift, replacing traditional suspension ropes and allowing for adjustable cable lengths to control the positioning of seismic arrays, eliminating the need for paravanes and associated equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If traditional separation ropes and paravanes are used to maintain spacing between sub-arrays and streamer cables, then lateral spacing is maintained, but towing drag increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral spacing maintenanceVSAvoidtowing drag

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the spacing maintenance function and the towing function into a single integrated fairing string assembly. The fairing string serves both to maintain lateral separation between streamer cables and to reduce towing drag through its streamlined hydrodynamic design, eliminating the need for separate paravanes and reduction gear mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex paravane and reduction gear systems from the towing assembly, retaining only the essential fairing string component that provides both spacing maintenance and drag reduction functions through its simple elongated body design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Force

If paravanes and dedicated towing equipment are used to maintain spacing, then lateral spacing is controlled, but device complexity and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral spacing controlVSAvoidtowing equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing string integrates multiple functions (spacing maintenance, drag reduction, and structural support) into a single component, eliminating the need for complex paravane systems, reduction gears, and dedicated towing equipment, thereby simplifying the overall device configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fairing string serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it maintains lateral spacing between streamer cables, reduces towing drag through its streamlined design, and provides structural support for the streamer cables, making it a universal component that replaces multiple specialized equipment pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If conventional cable fairings with single rope threading are used, then cable protection is provided, but positional control precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protectionVSAvoidpositional control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing string is divided into multiple segments or sections along its length, with cable exit points positioned at specific intervals. This segmentation allows for precise control of cable positioning and spacing while maintaining continuous protection along the entire length of the streamer cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the conventional single-rope threading mechanism with a streamlined fairing string design that uses hydrodynamic forces and geometric configuration to achieve precise positional control, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 improves positional control and reduces towing drag, enhancing data quality by maintaining precise spacing between seismic components without the need for paravanes and dedicated towing equipment, thereby simplifying operations and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

A steerable fairing string with a foil and conduits is used to provide lateral hydrodynamic lift

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic lift: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentUS11181655B2Steerable fairing string

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 DIGICOURSE LLC

AI summary

Embodiments herein include a fairing for a marine seismic array system that includes a foil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and defining a chord length and a span length, a first interior conduit oriented along the span length aft of the leading edge, and a second interior conduit oriented along the span length forward of the trailing edge. The conduits are separated by a distance. A first cable having a first length extends within the first conduit and a second cable having a second length extends within the second conduit, and the fairing can rotate about the first cable within the first conduit.