Seismic Streamer Gel-Filled Foam Breach Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic streamers face challenges with gel leakage due to breaches in the outer tube during underwater operations, which can lead to damage and contamination of electrical components, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent gel leakage in such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a water swellable foam within the seismic streamer that transitions from an unswollen to a swollen state upon contact with water, thereby sealing breaches and preventing gel leakage from the outer tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a breach occurs in the outer tube during underwater operations, then water enters the interior space, but gel leaks out and electrical components are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The water swellable foam is pre-positioned inside the outer tube in an unswollen state before deployment. Upon breach and water contact, the foam automatically swells to seal the breach and prevent gel leakage, protecting electrical components without requiring external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam material undergoes a parameter change from unswollen to swollen state upon contact with water. This phase transition changes the foam's volume and density, enabling it to expand and fill the breach area, thereby sealing the breach and preventing gel leakage.
2Ease of operation
If gel is used to fill the interior space, then sensor packages are supported and positioned, but gel leakage occurs when the outer tube is breached
Solution Approach 1:
The water swellable foam acts as an intermediary between the gel and the external environment. When the outer tube is breached, the foam swells to create a barrier that prevents direct contact between the leaking gel and the external water, thereby reducing gel loss while maintaining sensor package support.
3Reliability
If the outer tube is made thicker to prevent breaches, then durability is improved, but the streamer becomes harder to deploy and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on a thicker outer tube, the patent incorporates a protective mechanism (water swellable foam) that activates beforehand to cushion against the harmful effect of breaches. The foam is pre-positioned and will automatically seal any breach that occurs, providing protection without requiring excessive tube thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The water swellable foam provides self-service protection by automatically sealing breaches upon water contact. This self-activating mechanism eliminates the need for complex external sealing systems or excessively thick tubes, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 seals breaches in the outer tube, reducing the risk of gel leakage and protecting electrical components, thus enhancing the durability and reliability of seismic streamers during underwater operations.
Implementation Method 1
gel filled foam includes a water swellable material that, responsive to a breach in the outer tube and contact with water, transitions the gel filled foam from an unswollen state to a swollen state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A seismic streamer can include an outer tube that defines an interior space having a longitudinal axis; sensor packages disposed in the interior space at respective positions along the longitudinal axis; a rope disposed in the interior space and offset from the longitudinal axis; and gel filled foam disposed in the interior space at least in part between the sensor packages and at least in part about portions of the rope where the gel filled foam includes a water swellable material that, responsive to a breach in the outer tube and contact with water, transitions the gel filled foam from an unswollen state to a swollen state that hinders gel leakage from the breach in the outer tube.