Streamer Redundancy via Bypass Interconnections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geophysical survey systems, such as those used in seismic and electromagnetic surveys, experience operational downtime and increased costs due to faulty units in streamers, which are complex apparatuses with numerous interconnected components, leading to inefficiencies when replacing failed devices.
Innovation Solution
A daisy chain networked system with bypass interconnections allows for the detection and bypassing of faulty units or connections, ensuring continuous operation by rerouting signals and power through redundant paths, thereby minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a daisy chain networked system with bypass interconnections is implemented, then system reliability is improved by enabling continuous operation during unit failure, but device complexity increases due to additional redundant paths and detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The streamer system is divided into multiple independent networked units (sensor digitizing units, telemetry units, power units, etc.) connected in a daisy chain configuration. Each unit can be independently bypassed if it fails, allowing the remaining units to continue operation. This segmentation enables localized failure isolation without system-wide shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
Bypass interconnections are pre-configured within each networked unit before deployment. When a unit fails, the bypass path is already in place and can be activated immediately through detection mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration or system shutdown. This preliminary preparation ensures continuous operation.
2Loss of time
If redundant bypass paths are added to the system, then operational downtime is reduced by enabling seamless rerouting, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional connections and components
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass interconnections are integrated within the existing networked units rather than being separate additions. Each unit incorporates both the primary daisy chain connections and the bypass paths using the same physical and electrical infrastructure. This merging approach minimizes additional manufacturing requirements while providing redundant routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The networked units are designed with universal connectivity capabilities that serve both primary operation and bypass functions. The same input and output ports are used for both normal daisy chain signaling and bypass routing, eliminating the need for dedicated bypass components and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If self-detection mechanisms are implemented in each networked unit, then fault detection precision is improved enabling automatic bypass activation, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
Each networked unit performs self-detection of its own operational status and automatically activates bypass paths when failures are detected. The units monitor their own signaling and power connections without requiring external detection systems, enabling precise fault identification and immediate response while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The daisy chain configuration provides inherent feedback mechanisms where each unit receives signaling from upstream units and transmits to downstream units. This bidirectional communication enables automatic detection of communication failures, power issues, or connection problems, triggering bypass activation without external intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
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AI summary
Streamer redundancy. At least some illustrative embodiments are methods including: in a streamer towed by a survey vessel, sensing (703) a first interconnection of a daisy chain the first interconnection between a first networked unit and a second networked unit, wherein the first networked unit and the second networked unit comprise a portion of a plurality of networked units; and determining (704, 706) that a fault condition exists on the first interconnection in response to the sensing; disabling (710) the first interconnection responsive to the fault condition; enabling (714) a second interconnection responsive to the fault condition, wherein the second interconnection couples the first networked unit and a third networked unit of the plurality of networked units and wherein the second interconnection does not couple to the second networked unit; and reporting (713) information indicative of the fault condition to the survey vessel via the second networked unit.