Abstract:
Mixtures of heavy oils and light hydrocarbons may be separated by passing the mixture through a polymeric membrane. The membrane which is utilized to effect the separation comprises a polymer which is capable of maintaining its integrity in the presence of hydrocarbon compounds and which has been modified by being subjected to the action of a sulfonating agent. Sulfonating agents which may be employed will include fuming sulfuric acid, chlorosulfonic acid, sulfur trioxide, etc., the surface or bulk modified polymer will contain a degree of sulfonation ranging from about 15 to about 50%. The separation process is effected at temperatures ranging from about ambient to about 100.degree. C. and pressures ranging from about 50 to about 1000 psig.
Abstract:
An acoustic envelope is provided which may include a tubular sheath which mounted about a conducting element. The tubular sheath has inner and outer tubular portions which are integral with respect to one another. The acoustic envelope further includes a plurality of non-elastic strands which extend longitudinally along the sheath between the inner and outer tubular portions and which are bonded thereto. The tubular sheath is constructed of a material which optimally minimizes vibration induced noise and flow induced noise when the line array is towed through the water.
Abstract:
A hermaphroditic submarine cable connector link for a multisection seismic marine streamer cable includes identical end fittings mounted at each end of a pair of adjacent cable sections. Identical connector plates are coupled to electrical conductors at each end of the sections. The connector plates from the pair of adjacent cable sections are mated and then linked to the end fittings. A barrel is slipped over the end fittings and around the mated connector plates. The end fittings are locked by the barrel in spaced-apart relationship, employing a ball-and-detent locking arrangement.
Abstract:
A hydrophone mounting in a cavity of the hydrophone cable and a method of mounting the hydrophone. The cavity which is provided in the hydrophone cable may be constructed so that it is free-flooding, that is, the construction allows the liquid in which the hydrophone cable is submerged to completely surround the hydrophone. The cavity serves to insulate the hydrophone from movements and perturbations to the cable so that the hydrophone response is not distorted by these sources of noise.
Abstract:
A condition responsive line array cable having pairs of conductor contain, hollow braided strands plaited into a hollow braid in which transducer mounts are enmeshed and gripped. The mounts comprise a rigid plastic tubular housing in which a rubber jacketed transducer is resiliently suspended by elastomeric projections. Resiliently flexible, hollow, tapered, rubber fairings extend from each end of the housing and are slit to admit wires pulled from a cable strand. The fairings are long relative to the housing diameter and are retained assembled with the housing by cooperating ribs and grooves.
Abstract:
An intrusion sensor uses thin film piezoelectric transducers to sense nea mechanical vibrations. A hose-like sheath contains a pair of insulating strips which carry conductive leaves on their outer surfaces. A series of longitudinally arranged segments of a thin film piezoelectric material are coupled to the leaves to provide signals representative of impinging mechanical vibrations. Since adjacent ones of the thin film segments are alternately polarized, signals are created only when the vibrations are nearby. Greater sensitivity to nearby vibrations is assured when each of the segments is fabricated from several layers of the thin film piezoelectric material.
Abstract:
Hydrophone streamer apparatus embodying concentric tube construction for achieving improved low noise operation is disclosed. A plurality of hydrophone elements are supported within a compliant inner tube at spaced intervals therealong by compliant mounting means. The inner tube is supported within an elongated outer jacket by compliant support means between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the jacket. Suitable support means may comprise a plurality of trilobate devices each formed of three tubular sections equally spaced around the inner tube, the trilobate devices being located along the inner tube at positions between adjacent transducer elements.
Abstract:
Sets of at least three geophones are oriented in different directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a seismic cable in which they are assembled, so that at least one geophone in each set will detect substantially vertically-propagating reflected seismic signals when the cable is rotated in any orientation about its longitudinal axis. Arrangements may be provided to selectively enable the one geophone of each set that has its axis most nearly oriented to the vertical.
Abstract:
A waterproof coupler having a casing and a cap to form a junction box for enclosing a junction between a plurality of electric conductors. The casing has a single opening to enclosingly receive the junction. A plug member constructed of resilient material defines passages therethrough for the conductors. The member is adapted, when compressively urged by the cap into sealing position with the opening, to simultaneously seal the casing and the junction between the conductors. The bare ends of the conductors are anchored by solder balls to a disc positioned inside the casing.
Abstract:
Transducers based on the variable reluctance concept, employing magnetiza, soft, plastic materials. These materials serve as the isolator between the conductors of a coaxial cable. Such materials exist in considerable variety. The magnetization is azimuthal, such as can be generated by electrical currents flowing through the coaxial cable. Any isolated section of the coaxial cable constitutes a transducer, the conductors at one end of which form the terminals, while those at the other end are connected together to provide a closed electrical circuit. Pressure changes, caused, for example, by acoustic signals, on the outer surface of this transducer produce changes in volume, which in turn induce electrical signals due to changes of the magnetic flux. The conductors of the cable transducer can be in the form of wire braids or metal films, neither of which will significantly change the elastic characteristics of the magnetizable plastic material.Transducers of this type exhibit an electrical source impedance which is essentially equal to the resistance of the conductors. This eliminates the need of impedance changing preamplifiers. The output signals can be, therefore, transmitted directly over long distances by simple wires placed in the interior of the central, hollow, inner conductor.