Seismic Streamer Latch Seat for High-Force Repairability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic streamer devices face failures due to excessive forces during marine seismic surveys, leading to structural damage and costly replacements, as current repair methods lack structural integrity and introduce corrosion or reduce accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism with a dovetail pin and compression bias component, where the seat component is designed to absorb forces and can be easily replaced, using materials like aluminum or stainless steel to enhance durability and reduce operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a threaded screw is used to repair damaged housing, then the repair method is simple and easy to implement, but the structural integrity is insufficient to withstand continuous pulling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into a separate replaceable component that can be independently replaced without replacing the entire housing. This allows the critical load-bearing seat to be segmented from the housing structure, enabling simple replacement of only the damaged seat component while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-configured with a threaded bore and the seat is designed with corresponding threading, allowing for easy installation and replacement. The preliminary preparation of threaded interfaces enables rapid repair without complex assembly procedures.
2Strength
If stronger materials are used to withstand higher forces, then the structural strength is improved, but the cost of replacement and repair increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is segmented as a separate replaceable component, allowing only the damaged seat to be replaced rather than the entire housing. This reduces replacement costs significantly while maintaining the high strength requirements for the load-bearing seat component.
Solution Approach 2:
The damaged seat component can be discarded and replaced with a new or refurbished seat, while the housing and other intact components are retained and reused. This approach reduces waste and lowers overall replacement costs.
3Ease of repair
If the seat component is designed to be replaceable, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-configured with threaded bores and the seat is designed with matching threading during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of interfaces simplifies the repair process, as the replaceable seat can be directly threaded into place without requiring complex assembly procedures or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat component is extracted as a separate replaceable element from the housing structure. This extraction creates a modular design where the seat can be independently removed and replaced, simplifying repair while adding minimal complexity through the use of standard threaded fastening interfaces.
4Reliability
If materials resistant to corrosion are used, then the durability in saltwater environment is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat component is segmented as a separate part that can be manufactured from corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or aluminum, while the housing may use different materials. This segmentation allows selective application of corrosion-resistant materials only where needed, optimizing durability while controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat can be manufactured from composite materials or metal alloys that provide corrosion resistance in saltwater environments. The use of materials like stainless steel or aluminum alloys offers a balance between corrosion resistance and manufacturing cost for the critical replaceable seat component.
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 provides a robust and cost-effective repair or production option for streamer devices, maintaining performance and reducing the need for full device replacement, while withstanding higher pull forces and minimizing corrosion in saltwater environments.
Implementation Method 1
a spring or similar compression bias component. The seat component can be configured to provide a seat to retain the compression bias component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A streamer device (110, 210, 310, 410) including a pylon (120A, 120B, 220A, 220B, 320A, 320B, 420A, 420B) configured to attach to a locking collar (150A, 150B), and a latch mechanism (280) with a seat (229, 329, 429) component. The latch mechanism (280) comprises a pin member (260) configured to attach to the locking collar (150A, 150B), and a bias component (268). The seat (229, 329, 429) component can be configured to retain the bias component (268) when the pylon (120A, 220A, 220B, 220, 320A, 320B, 420A, 420B) is attached to the locking collar (150A, 250), and the bias component (268) can be configured to bias the pin member (260) to hold the locking collar (150A, 150B) to the pylon (120A,120B, 220A, 220B, 320A, 320B, 420A, 420B). The bias is responsive to a position of the seat (229, 329, 429) component, or determined or controlled at least in part based on the position.