Marine Seismic Streamer Acoustic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine seismic streamers face issues with fluid leakage, environmental damage, and noise generation due to vibrations and transient motion, which affect the quality of seismic data interpretation.
Innovation Solution
A seismic streamer design featuring a jacket filled with an acoustically transparent filler material and a resilient ring system to isolate seismic sensors from strength members, reducing noise from Poisson Effect waves and other vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the streamer includes strength members to transmit axial force and bear drag loading, then the streamer can withstand towing forces, but the strength members generate Poisson Effect waves and vibrations that create noise detected by seismic sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic isolator as an intermediary component positioned between the strength member and the sensor mounting. This isolator decouples the direct mechanical connection, allowing the strength member to bear axial loads while preventing the transmission of Poisson Effect waves and vibrations to the seismic sensors. The isolator acts as a mechanical mediator that separates the load-bearing function from the sensing function.
2Reliability
If the streamer uses a fluid-filled structure to provide buoyancy and protect sensors, then the streamer achieves neutral buoyancy and sensor protection, but fluid leakage can occur causing electrical failure and environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the acoustic isolation function from the fluid-filled structure by introducing a dedicated acoustic isolator component. This allows the streamer to maintain the protective fluid-filled design while adding a specific element to address noise transmission. The isolator is integrated into the sensor mounting assembly, separating the buoyancy/protection function from the noise transmission path.
3Manufacturing precision
If the streamer uses a rigid sensor spacer mounting to securely hold sensors, then the sensors are firmly positioned, but vibrations from strength members are directly transmitted to the sensors reducing data quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the acoustic isolator material specifically tailored for acoustic isolation properties at the sensor mounting location. The isolator material is selected to have characteristics that dampen vibrations and block Poisson Effect waves while allowing the sensor spacer to maintain precise sensor positioning. This localized treatment addresses noise transmission without compromising overall sensor mounting precision.
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 solution effectively reduces noise interference, enhancing the accuracy of seismic surveys by minimizing fluid leakage and vibration-induced noise, while maintaining acoustic transparency and environmental safety.
Implementation Method 1
noise from Poisson Effect waves and other vibrations
Implementation Method 2
other vibrations
Implementation Method 3
acoustically transparent filler material
Data Source
AI summary
A seismic streamer includes a jacket covering an exterior of the streamer. At least one strength member extends along the length of and is disposed inside the jacket. At least one seismic sensor is disposed in a sensor spacer mounted to the at least one strength member. The streamer includes means for retaining the at least one sensor spacer to the at least one strength member. The means for retaining provides substantial acoustic isolation between the at least one spacer and the at least one strength member.