Single vessel range navigation and positioning of an ocean bottom seismic node
First Claim
1. A monitoring system for the deployment of seismic nodes on or near the seabed, comprising:
- a plurality of ocean bottom seismic nodes coupled to a deployment cable;
a plurality of acoustic pingers configured to emit a ping at a predetermined interval, wherein each of the plurality of acoustic pingers is coupled to a separate one of the plurality of seismic nodes;
a surface vessel, configured to deploy the plurality of seismic nodes in a body of water; and
at least one surface buoy coupled to the surface vessel by a first buoy connecting line, wherein each surface buoy comprises an acoustic receiver configured to detect the emitted pings from the plurality of acoustic pingers,wherein the monitoring system is configured to monitor a touchdown position of the plurality of seismic nodes on the seabed and communicate the touchdown position of each of the plurality of seismic nodes with the surface vessel at approximately the same time as touchdown.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for monitoring, positioning, and/or guiding a plurality of seismic nodes on or near the seabed by a plurality of acoustic pinging devices coupled to a deployment line and at least one surface buoy. The acoustic pinging devices are configured to emit a unique ID that may be detected by a receiver or transceiver located on each of the surface buoys. The acoustic pinging devices may be coupled to each node or only to a portion of the plurality of nodes (such as every two, three, or four nodes). The monitoring system may be configured to identify the ID, position, depth, and height of each seismic node during travel to the seabed and upon node touchdown with the seabed. A guidance system may be configured to guide the deployment of the deployment cable based upon node position data determined by the monitoring system.
44 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A monitoring system for the deployment of seismic nodes on or near the seabed, comprising:
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a plurality of ocean bottom seismic nodes coupled to a deployment cable; a plurality of acoustic pingers configured to emit a ping at a predetermined interval, wherein each of the plurality of acoustic pingers is coupled to a separate one of the plurality of seismic nodes; a surface vessel, configured to deploy the plurality of seismic nodes in a body of water; and at least one surface buoy coupled to the surface vessel by a first buoy connecting line, wherein each surface buoy comprises an acoustic receiver configured to detect the emitted pings from the plurality of acoustic pingers, wherein the monitoring system is configured to monitor a touchdown position of the plurality of seismic nodes on the seabed and communicate the touchdown position of each of the plurality of seismic nodes with the surface vessel at approximately the same time as touchdown. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for monitoring the deployment of a plurality of seismic nodes on or near the seabed, comprising:
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deploying a plurality of ocean bottom seismic nodes from a surface vessel, wherein the nodes are coupled to a deployment cable, wherein each node is coupled to an acoustic pinger configured to emit a ping with a unique ID; providing one or more surface buoys coupled to the surface vessel, wherein each surface buoy comprises an acoustic receiver configured to detect the emitted pings; monitoring the deployment of the deployed seismic nodes by receiving the emitted pings at the one or more surface buoys; and modifying the deployment position of the cable from the surface vessel based on a touchdown position of one or more of the plurality of seismic nodes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification