Streamer Connection Collars with Stabilizing Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic streamer connection systems are inflexible and cannot accommodate streamers with non-standard spacings between communication coil mounts and spacer blocks, limiting the compatibility with newer streamer configurations.
Innovation Solution
A connection system comprising three outer collars with stabilizing members that maintain axial alignment, allowing for adaptable attachment of external devices to streamers with varying spacings, using a combination of C-shaped collars and a stabilizing member to ensure proper alignment and rotation without rotating external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional connection systems use fixed spacing of attachment points (57 cm), then the structure is simple and rigid, but it cannot accommodate streamers with non-standard spacings between communication coil mounts and spacer blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system employs adjustable spacing between attachment points through telescopic mechanisms and adjustable collars, allowing the fixed 57 cm spacing to be dynamically modified to match various streamer configurations. This enables the same connection system to adapt to different streamer types without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fixed parameter of attachment point spacing (57 cm) into a variable parameter that can be adjusted to match different streamer configurations. By incorporating adjustable spacing mechanisms, the system can modify its dimensional parameters to accommodate non-standard spacings between communication coil mounts and spacer blocks.
2Ease of operation
If C-shaped collars are used to allow streamer rotation, then the streamer can rotate freely inside the collars, but the external devices may rotate along with the streamer causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system incorporates preliminary alignment features such as alignment pins, keyed collars, or pre-positioned mounting structures that establish the correct orientation of external devices before the streamer begins to rotate. This preliminary action ensures that even as the streamer rotates freely, the external devices maintain their proper alignment relative to the streamer axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary components such as alignment pins, keyed collars, or reference structures that act as mediators between the rotating streamer and the external devices. These intermediaries decouple the rotation of the streamer from the orientation of the external devices, allowing the streamer to rotate freely while the external devices maintain stable alignment through the guiding action of the intermediary elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection system for connecting external devices to a streamer. The connection system comprises three outer collars maintained collinearly aligned by a stabilizing member, such as a lightweight, rigid tube, attached to each outer collar. The tube extends parallel to the bores of the outer collars. The forward and aft outer collars ride on races formed on the periphery of inner collars clamped around mounting structure in the interior of the streamer. An external device is attached to the forward collar and to the intermediate collar, which does not ride on an inner collar. The spacing between the forward and intermediate collars is fixed by the standard spacing of the two attachment points in standard external devices. The spacing between the forward and aft collars is set by the specified spacing of mounting structures in the interior of the streamer.