Unmanned Seismic Data Retrieval for Real-Time Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic data collection methods lack real-time quality control and monitoring, leading to delays and costly reshooting due to the disconnection of seismic sensors from the control system during nodal acquisition, especially in onshore and offshore environments.
Innovation Solution
Deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to collect and analyze seismic data in real-time, allowing for continuous quality assessment and monitoring while data is being recorded, thereby avoiding delays and reshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seismic sensors are decoupled from the control system during nodal acquisition, then the seismic data collection can be performed independently in the field, but real-time quality control and monitoring are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces unmanned vehicles (UAVs/AUVs) as intermediary carriers equipped with computing devices. These vehicles travel to collect seismic data from dispersed sensors, download the data, and return it to the control system, enabling real-time quality control while maintaining sensor independence in the field
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional cable-based mechanical connection between sensors and control system with wireless communication systems on unmanned vehicles. This substitution maintains data collection independence while enabling digital real-time quality control through wireless data transmission
2Productivity
If seismic data is collected and processed on-site without real-time monitoring, then operational flexibility is improved, but delays and costly reshooting occur due to quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback loops where quality control analysis is performed continuously on downloaded seismic data. The control system analyzes data quality metrics and provides feedback to adjust acquisition parameters or alert operators to issues, preventing delays and costly reshooting while maintaining operational flexibility
3Reliability
If traditional cable-connected seismic sensors are used, then real-time data transmission is achieved, but device complexity and operational constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the physical cable infrastructure and relocates it to unmanned vehicles equipped with wireless communication systems. This removes the complex cable infrastructure while maintaining real-time data transmission capability through digital communication channels
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for collecting seismic data include identifying seismic sources positioned on or under a first surface; identifying seismic sensors positioned on or under a second surface to form a seismic data collection area with the seismic sources; activating the seismic sources to generate a seismic signal; operating the seismic sensors to record a reflected seismic signal in response to the generated seismic signal; operating unmanned vehicles to travel to and within the seismic data collection area and collect the recorded reflected seismic signal from the seismic sensors; operating the unmanned vehicles to travel from the seismic data collection area to download the collected reflected seismic signal recorded from the seismic sensors; and operating the unmanned vehicles to return to or into the seismic data collection area to further collect at least one reflected seismic signal recorded from the seismic sensors.