Sensor Streamer Towing Speed Control via Real-Time Noise Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine survey systems face challenges in reducing noise-induced data degradation due to towing speed, particularly with geophone-based sensor streamers, which are sensitive to velocity changes and environmental factors like barnacle growth, leading to increased noise levels that can render data unusable.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control the towing speed of sensor streamers in real-time by converting recorded energy into the frequency-wavenumber domain, removing noise data, and calculating a noise value using a corrective scalar based on the proportion of wavenumbers removed, allowing for adaptive speed adjustments to balance towing speed and noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If towing speed is increased to improve survey efficiency, then productivity increases, but noise levels increase causing data degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of towing speed based on real-time noise monitoring. The system continuously measures noise levels from geophone signals and automatically adjusts the towing speed to maintain optimal data quality, transforming the static towing process into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to changing environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where noise levels are continuously monitored from geophone signals during towing operations. This noise feedback is used to adjust towing speed in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains data quality while optimizing survey efficiency
2Measurement precision
If towing speed is decreased to reduce noise, then data quality is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts towing speed rather than operating at a fixed low speed. By continuously adapting the towing speed to current noise conditions, the system maintains data quality while maximizing survey efficiency, avoiding the productivity loss associated with consistently slow towing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter (towing speed) based on measured noise levels. When noise is low, higher speeds are permitted; when noise increases, speeds are reduced. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain data quality thresholds while optimizing overall productivity
3Measurement precision
If geophone-based sensor streamers are used to detect subsurface structures, then measurement capability is improved, but sensitivity to velocity changes and environmental factors increases causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of geophone velocity sensitivity into a useful measurement tool. By monitoring the noise generated by velocity changes, the system gains information about both the environmental conditions and the optimal towing speed, transforming a drawback into a diagnostic advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical speed control with an intelligent control system that uses signal processing and automated decision-making. Instead of relying on mechanical governors or manual control, the system uses computer-based algorithms to analyze geophone signals and adjust towing speed, reducing the impact of mechanical vibrations and environmental factors
Data Source
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AI summary
Controlling towing speed of a sensor streamer. At least some of the of the embodiments are methods including: towing a sensor streamer through water at a towing speed (402); releasing interrogating energy within the water (404); recording energy received by the sensor streamer to create recorded energy (406); determining a value indicative of noise within the recorded energy (408); and changing the towing speed in real-time responsive to the value indicative of noise within the recorded energy (416).