Streamer Cleaning Apparatus with Spring-Loaded Scraper Lamellas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Marine geophysical sensor cables face issues with marine growth, leading to increased drag resistance and reduced data quality due to biofouling, which existing cleaning technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A streamer cleaning apparatus with a housing, scraper lamellas, and spring-loaded arms is used to remove saltwater, residues, and marine growths from the cables as they pass through, providing a scraping action to clean the cables during deployment and recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If streamers are towed in water for extended periods, then geophysical data can be collected, but marine growth adheres to the streamers causing increased drag resistance and reduced production speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreamer deployment durationVSAvoiddrag resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning apparatus performs preliminary cleaning action on the streamer during deployment and recovery operations, removing marine growth before it significantly accumulates and causes excessive drag. The scraper lamellas are positioned to contact and clean the streamer surface as it passes through the housing, preventing the buildup that would otherwise increase drag resistance during extended towing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If marine growth accumulates on streamers, then extended towing is possible, but fuel costs increase due to increased drag resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreamer towing durationVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning apparatus performs preliminary cleaning during deployment and recovery, removing marine growth before it significantly increases drag. By cleaning the streamer surface in advance, the system prevents the accumulation that would otherwise require excessive fuel consumption during extended towing operations, thereby reducing overall energy usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of moving object

If marine growth accumulates on streamers, then towing can continue, but data quality is reduced due to increased noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreamer deployment durationVSAvoidgeophysical data quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning apparatus performs preliminary cleaning action on the streamer during deployment and recovery, removing marine growth and associated noise sources before they significantly degrade data quality. The scraper lamellas contact the streamer surface to eliminate biofouling that would otherwise interfere with sensor measurements and increase background noise during extended towing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If scraper lamellas are positioned to contact the streamer, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damaging the streamer increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidstreamer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded arms provide a dynamic, self-adjusting mechanism that allows the scraper lamellas to contact the streamer with controlled force. The springs enable the lamellas to adapt to variations in streamer diameter and surface conditions, maintaining effective cleaning contact while automatically reducing force to prevent damage to the streamer cable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded mechanism changes the contact pressure parameter dynamically, allowing the scraper lamellas to exert sufficient force for effective cleaning while preventing excessive force that could damage the streamer. The elastic elements in the spring-loaded arms provide a self-regulating force that adapts to the streamer's physical characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 marine growth on the cables, decreasing drag and improving data quality by enhancing the efficiency of the cleaning process, thereby reducing fuel costs and maintaining the integrity of the geophysical data collected.

Implementation Method 1

spring-loaded arms coupled to the scraper lamellas for biasing the scraper lamellas against the streamer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3206055B1Streamer cleaning apparatus and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2021.09.08 PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS

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AI summary

Embodiments relate to marine streamer cleaning. An embodiment provides a streamer cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing (5) comprising an inlet (21) configured to receive a streamer and an outlet (23) configured to dispatch the streamer; and scraper lamellas (9) coupled to the housing (5), wherein the scraper lamellas are arranged to form an opening to receive the streamer. Methods of cleaning a streamer and streamer cleaning systems are also provided.