Steerable Hydrofoil for Marine Seismic Survey Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic survey systems lack a mechanism for accurately maneuvering the front end of the seismic array and streamers within a small range in the cross-line direction and reliably positioning them with minimal error, leading to noise introduction from hydrofoil steering, positioning errors, and wake disturbances in seismic data.
Innovation Solution
A steerable hydrofoil system with rotatable panels and actuators is deployed, allowing for precise angle adjustment to steer the seismic array and streamers, reducing noise and improving positioning accuracy by compensating for current variability and wake disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional passive steering is used for hydrofoils, then the system is simple and requires minimal power, but positioning accuracy deteriorates with deviations of ±5-10 meters due to water currents
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoil panel is made dynamically adjustable through an actuator system that can change the panel's angle of attack in real-time. This allows the hydrofoil to actively compensate for water currents and maintain precise positioning, transforming the system from static passive steering to dynamic active steering while managing complexity through controlled automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the hydrofoil by introducing an adjustable panel angle. By varying the angle of attack parameter through actuation, the hydrofoil can optimize its steering capability to achieve ±1 meter positioning accuracy while adapting to different current conditions, thus improving precision without requiring complete system redesign.
2Measurement precision
If active continuous steering is implemented for large hydrofoils, then positioning accuracy improves, but power consumption increases beyond available capacity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing full active continuous steering of the entire hydrofoil, the invention applies partial action by actuating only the adjustable panel portion. This selective actuation provides sufficient steering correction for ±1 meter accuracy while consuming manageable power, avoiding the excessive energy requirements of complete hydrofoil active steering.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrofoil is segmented into a fixed main body and an adjustable panel. The actuator only needs to move the panel segment rather than the entire hydrofoil structure, significantly reducing the power required for steering operations while maintaining positioning accuracy. This segmentation allows active steering capability within available power constraints.
3Measurement precision
If hydrofoil steering is used to correct path deviations, then positioning accuracy improves, but noise is introduced into seismic data
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses partial steering action by adjusting only the panel angle rather than aggressively maneuvering the entire hydrofoil. This gentle, precise panel adjustment achieves path correction with minimal disturbance to surrounding water, thereby reducing wake-induced noise in seismic data while maintaining ±1 meter positioning accuracy.
4Force
If the hydrofoil operates at maximum lift capacity, then steering effectiveness improves, but the system becomes less adaptable to varying current conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable panel creates a dynamic steering system that can adapt its angle of attack in real-time based on current conditions. This allows the hydrofoil to maintain optimal steering effectiveness across varying currents, combining high force capability with adaptability by adjusting the panel angle rather than relying solely on fixed maximum lift configuration.
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
The steerable hydrofoil system enables precise steering of seismic arrays and streamers within ±20 meters in the cross-line direction and ±1 meter error, reducing noise and improving data accuracy by actively positioning the seismic equipment and operating the hydrofoil near its maximum lift capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a typical hydrofoil 130 used in a marine seismic survey is approximately 7-10 meters tall and has a 1-2 meter chord length. In accordance with common usage in the art, the chord length of the hydrofoil 130 is defined herein as the distance from the nose to the tail of the hydrofoil 130. A hydrofoil 130 of this size may have a lift of about 10 tons.
Implementation Method 2
at least one body part coupled to the at least one steerable hydrofoil panel to allow the at least one steerable hydrofoil panel to rotate about an axis, and at least one actuator for rotating the at least one steerable hydrofoil panel by a selected angle about the axis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a steerable hydrofoil. The apparatus includes at least one steerable hydrofoil panel, at least one body part coupled to the at least one steerable hydrofoil panel to allow the at least one steerable hydrofoil panel to rotate about an axis, and at least one actuator for rotating the at least one steerable hydrofoil panel by a selected angle about the axis.