Steerable Paravane Diverter for Marine Seismic Survey Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine seismic survey systems face inefficiencies due to excessive lateral force exerted by paravanes during turns and varying water currents, requiring speed limitations and costly reconfiguration of bridle systems to maintain optimal survey conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of steerable paravanes with floats and diverters, equipped with steering devices that control the flow of water to adjust the lateral force generated, allowing for controllable tension on tow ropes and spreader cables, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vessel turns at ordinary towing speeds, then the survey efficiency is improved, but the lateral force exerted by the outermost paravane becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The paravane incorporates a steerable diverter that can dynamically adjust its orientation angle relative to the tow direction. During vessel turns, the diverter rotates to reduce its effective area presented to the water flow, thereby controlling the lateral force to remain within acceptable limits while allowing the vessel to maintain higher turn speeds and improve survey efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the paravane by adjusting the diverter angle based on vessel maneuvering conditions. When the vessel turns, the diverter angle is modified to reduce lateral force; when the vessel proceeds straight, the diverter returns to its optimal angle for maximum lateral force generation, thus resolving the contradiction between turn speed and force control
2Force
If water current flows opposite the vessel direction, then the lateral force exerted by paravanes increases, but this creates difficulty in controlling the streamer array position
Solution Approach 1:
The steerable diverter system incorporates feedback control where the diverter angle is continuously adjusted based on real-time conditions including current direction and strength. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for varying current conditions, maintaining optimal streamer array positioning by dynamically balancing the lateral force generated by the paravanes against the opposing water current
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter's ability to dynamically change its orientation allows the system to adapt to varying current conditions. By adjusting the diverter angle, the system can modulate the lateral force to match the current's opposing force, thereby maintaining control over the streamer array position even when currents flow opposite to the vessel direction
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bridle configuration is not optimal for existing equipment and survey conditions, then it is necessary to retrieve and reconfigure the paravane, but this operation is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The steerable diverter replaces the need for static bridle reconfiguration with a dynamic adjustment mechanism. Instead of retrieving and reconfiguring the entire bridle system, operators can simply adjust the diverter angle to adapt to different survey conditions and equipment configurations, eliminating time-consuming retrieval operations while maintaining full adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from modifying structural configuration (bridle reconfiguration) to modifying operational parameters (diverter angle). This allows the same physical bridle setup to adapt to various survey conditions by simply adjusting the diverter angle, thereby eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming retrieval and reconfiguration operations
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 enables precise control over lateral force, improving seismic survey efficiency by allowing for faster vessel turns and better handling of water currents, reducing the need for costly reconfigurations and increasing overall operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The diverter is configured to redirect flow of water past the paravane with respect to a direction of motion of the paravane through water
Data Source
AI summary
A paravane for a marine seismic survey system includes a float and at least one diverter operatively coupled to the float. The diverter is configured to redirect flow of water past the paravane with respect to a direction of motion of the paravane through water. The paravane also includes a steering device. The steering device is configured to controllably redirect the flow of water so as to control an amount of lateral force generated by the paravane.