Steerable Submersible Float for Seismic Source Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seismic source control mechanisms in marine exploration systems suffer from slow reaction times and limited maneuverability due to marine currents and disturbances, such as trailing air bubbles from compressed air guns, making it challenging to maintain accurate horizontal positions and depths.

Innovation Solution

A steerable submersible float with rotatable surfaces and a towing mechanism that allows for adjustable angles, enabling precise control of depth and horizontal position, along with individual seismic sources operating at depths greater than the float, to enhance flexibility and stability during marine exploration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional control mechanisms (deflectors, winched cables, towing vessel trajectory changes) are used to control horizontal position of seismic sources, then position control is achieved, but reaction time is slow and maneuverability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction timeVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical control systems (deflectors, winched cables, vessel trajectory changes) with a hydrodynamic control system using rotatable surfaces (wings/foils) that generate hydrodynamic forces. This substitution enables rapid response to positioning commands by directly exploiting water flow forces on the moving float, achieving fast reaction times and improved maneuverability without the mechanical delays of cable winching or vessel maneuvering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control through rotatable surfaces whose angles can be adjusted in real-time based on positioning requirements. The moving float with rotatable wings creates a dynamic hydrodynamic force system that can rapidly adapt to changing position demands, enabling fast response and flexible maneuvering compared to static or slowly-adjustable conventional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If seismic sources are towed at constant depth, then towing simplicity is maintained, but horizontal position control accuracy deteriorates due to marine currents and disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehorizontal position control accuracyVSAvoidtowing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a moving float as an intermediary between the towing cable and the seismic sources. This float acts as a controlled platform that can independently adjust its horizontal position using hydrodynamic forces on its rotatable surfaces, while the seismic sources remain suspended beneath it. The float absorbs the complexity of active position control, allowing the overall towing system to maintain relative simplicity while achieving high position control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If rotatable surfaces are added to control depth and horizontal position, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidfloat structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the rotatable surfaces (wings/foils) on the moving float to serve multiple functions: they control both depth and horizontal position of the float, and consequently control the positions of all seismic sources suspended beneath it. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each source, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise positioning control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 faster and more efficient steering and positioning of seismic sources, allowing for arctic exploration and 4D time lapse acquisition, while maintaining stability and accuracy even in rough weather conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a submersible float configured to control at least one of a depth and a horizontal position of the submersible float by adjusting angles of one or more rotatable surfaces attached to the submersible float

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic force: Drag

Implementation Method 2

The towing mechanism is configured to connect the submersible float to a tow cable such that a longitudinal axis of the submersible float makes an adjustable non-zero angle with a towing direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension force: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS9341730B2Steering submersible float for seismic sources and related methods

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 SERCEL SAS

AI summary

Seismic sources including a steerable submersible float and related methods are provided. A seismic source includes a submersible float and a plurality of individual sources. The submersible float is configured to control at least one of a depth and a horizontal position of the submersible float by adjusting angles of one or more rotatable surfaces attached to the submersible float. The individual sources hang under the submersible float and are configured to operate at a depth larger than the depth of the submersible float.