Abstract:
A hydrophone group for shallow towed applications in less than 50 feet of ter. The hydrophone group has a series of hydrophones connected by relatively insensitive fiber optic interconnects. The individual hydrophones are sufficiently sensitive such that the interconnecting optical fiber does not introduce excessive noise. Each hydrophone is basically a sensing fiber wrapped around an air-backed mandrel. Each air-backed mandrel is formed of an extended solid frame substantially non-compliant along a longitudinal axis. The extended solid frame is provided with a channel around the periphery thereof. The channel extends substantially the entire length of the extended solid frame. A flexible outer covering surrounds the extended solid frame. The flexible outer covering is highly compliant in a radial direction extending from the longitudinal axis. The air-backed mandrel has a high frequency mechanical resonance. Each hydrophone is connected in a chain by a plurality of interconnects having a substantially lower sensitivity than each hydrophone.
Abstract:
A removable connector operable to be inserted between a main cable carrying seismic information and a box connector of a remote acquisition module. The removable connector is adapted to isolate any forces arising in the main cable from the box connector of the module. The removable connector is removably secured to the remote acquisition module by a pin which extends through the housing of the removable connector and a bracket mounted to the module. The pin transfers the cable forces to the remote acquisition module and substantially isolates the box connector from such forces thereby extending the life of the box connector.
Abstract:
A depth control apparatus for seismic streamers, comprising a central unit adapted for inserted mounting in the streamer substantially in axial alignment with the streamer, a housing which can rotate about the central unit and carries at least one control wing being angularly adjustable about a transverse axis adapted to be substantially horizontal in operative position, and an electric motor for adjusting the angle of the control wing about the transverse axis. The motor is located in the central unit and is adapted to have its current supply through the streamer. The control wing is so arranged on the housing that the transverse axis in operative position runs underneath the central unit. A transmission mechanism for the angular adjustment of the control wing by means of the motor, comprises a slide member which can be moved in the axial direction of the central unit and preferably surrounds the central unit.
Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly comprises a connector body and an elastomeric sleeve seal. The connector body has an end portion with an outer surface defined by three separate cylindrical surfaces with one of the cylindrical surfaces, disposed between the other two cylindrical surfaces, having a predefined diameter different than that of the other two surfaces. The elastomeric sleeve seal has an end portion in which an internal surface is defined by three separate bore surfaces that, when the sleeve seal is assembled with the connector body, forcibly abut a corresponding one of the cylindrical surfaces of the connector body.
Abstract:
A chain of elongate components (10, 20) are connected end-to-end. Each component (e.g. 10) comprises a sheath (1) closed at its ends filled with a dielectric liquid (e.g. kerosene). Sound detectors are located in the liquid as are electric conductors for conveying signals therefrom. The ends are closed by means including an electric connector. At least one of a pair of mating end portions includes a valve (14, 24) which releases the dielectric liquid from inside the sheath into the interstices between the mated pair. A bleed screw can be used to ensure no air remains. This arrangement minimises pressure differentials around the join between two adjacent elongate components and facilitates use of the chain at great depths.
Abstract:
A composite hydrophone array assembly is made from a compliant mandrel suchs a hollow tube and at least one wrap of piezoelectric film adhered to the compliant hollow tube at a plurality of locations thereon. Each location defines a composite hydrophone channel. The centers of adjacent hydrophone channels are separated along the length of the compliant hollow tube. To shade a hydrophone channel, the wall thickness of the hollow tube can be varied along its length, the circumferential area of coverage of the wraps of piezoelectric film can be varied along their length, the longitudinal lengths of the wraps of piezoelectric film are varied, or a combination of these approaches can be used. Unwanted noise is rejected by eliminating hydrophone channel grating lobes and overlapping portions of the wraps of piezoelectric film of the adjacent hydrophone channels to create a wavenumber response for the composite hydrophone array that significantly reduces array grating lobes.
Abstract:
The mobile seismic system according to the invention is made up by interconnecting reception sections (T1) and of anchoring sections (T2), and possibly emission sections, the assembly being suspended in the well by means of an electro-carrying cable (3). The first sections (T1), which are filled with liquid, are delimited at least partly by a wall transparent to acoustic waves. They contain each one or several hydrophones and an electronic module of acquisition of the signals picked up. The second sections (T2) comprise a body provided with retractable anchoring means (13) and with motor means, either autonomous, or connected, by a hydraulic line running along the reception system, to common motor means located preferably in a lower section so as to be used as a ballast weight. The reception system may be continuous or made up of several parts connected to each other by electric or electro-hydraulic linking means. The system is suitable for seismic prospecting in wells for example.
Abstract:
A seismic cable segment is provided having a longitudinal seam for access into the seismic cable, a cable skin lock, a flotation tube for varying the buoyancy of the seismic cable, external stress members isolated from the inside of the seismic cable, and an environmentally safe gel filling the seismic cable.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a marine-seismic streamer having a liquid-filled tube (4) in which there are arranged, in the longitudinal direction, hauling cables and flow-obstructing devices including shaped pieces (2) which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction for dividing the streamer into sections, and hydrophones (5). The shaped pieces (2) are of cylindrical construction with an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the tube (4) such that an annular gap (9) is formed between the tube (4) and each shaped piece (2). The shaped pieces (2) have at least one annular seal (10), the outer diameter of the annular seal (10) corresponding to the inside diameter of the tube (4).
Abstract:
A tow cable includes a high density, high damping core of a material such as lead, surrounded by a layer of helically wrapped or braided strength fibers of a material such as steel, or alternatively, of aramid fibers. Over this is provided a layer of a resilient, deformable thermoplastic material such as polyurethane, to provide for movement of the subsequent data-bearer layer under strain, so that no strain is applied to the data-bearer themselves. Around this layer is provided a layer of helically wrapped (or braided) power and data bearers, the bearers including coaxial cables, twisted pairs, and fiber optic bearers. To ensure water-blocking, this layer may be enclosed in an extrusion of thermoplastic material, such as polyurethane. Around this is wrapped or braided a layer of protective fiber, of material such as steel or aramid fiber, and over this, in a roughly trochoidal cross-section, is extruded an outer layer of thermoplastic material, such as polyurethane. The trochoidal cross section is twisted along the length of the cable. This twisting of the trochoidal section causes the ridges to effectively rotate as the cable moves through water and therefore minimizes vortex shedding and cable strumming.