Universal seismic data acquisition module

• US 20030218936A1
• Filed: 05/13/2003
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inova Systems
• Original Assignee: GeoSystems LLC
• Inventors: Chamberlain, Donald G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,078,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/16 Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49147 Assembling terminal to base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49171 with encapsulating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49188 with penetrating portion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49202 including oppositely facing end orienting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A universal seismic data acquisition module includes independent environmental isolation chambers for essential signal processing circuitry and for cable connection unions. Cable connection unions are rapidly replaced without opening the main protective chamber. Different connector types required for the many data transmission cable designs needed to service a wide range of survey conditions are more easily accommodated than in conventional single chamber designs. The module is rugged and suitable for operating in a wide range of physical environments including lake or sea immersion to substantial water depths, desert, arctic and others. Need for investment in multiple module types for varying survey conditions is thereby reduced without compromising capacity.

Claims

1. An enclosure for environmentally isolating seismic signal processing circuits, said enclosure comprising an assembly of first and second housings for respective chambers, said chambers being separated by a first environmental partition, a first signal conduit traversing said partition for operative connection at one end with signal processing circuitry within said first chamber and with a first conduit connector at an opposite end, a removable second environmental partition for covering an access opening into said second chamber, a first conduit connection union traversing said second partition, said first connection union having an inside connector compatible with said first conduit connector and an outside conduit connector compatible with a seismic signal conductor cable.

2. An enclosure for environmentally isolating seismic signal processing circuits as described by claim 1 wherein said first signal conduit traverses said first environmental partition through an environmentally sealed aperture.

3. An enclosure for environmentally isolating seismic signal processing circuits as described by claim 1 wherein said conduit connection union is conveniently detached from said second partition for replacement.

4. An enclosure for environmentally isolating seismic signal processing circuits as described by claim 1 wherein said enclosure assembly further comprises an independent connection adapter having second and third connection joints, said second connection joint being compatible with said first conduit connector and said third connection joint being compatible with said inside connector.

5. An enclosure for environmentally isolating seismic signal processing circuits as described by claim 1 wherein said first environmental partition is an integral element of said second housing.

6. An enclosure for environmentally isolating seismic signal processing circuits as described by claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises a plurality of first signal conduits traversing said partition for connection with a corresponding plurality of conduit connection unions.

7. An enclosure for environmentally isolating seismic signal processing circuits as described by claim 6 wherein said assembly comprises a plurality of first environmental partitions and corresponding second housings.

8. An assembly for processing seismic signal data comprising:

(a) a first housing for a first chamber said first chamber being disposed for environmentally isolating signal data processing circuitry within said first chamber;

(b) a second housing having a second environmentally isolated chamber;

(c) a first closure partition separating said first and second environmentally isolated chambers

(d) a second closure partition across an access opening into said second chamber;

(e) a first signal conduit traversing said first closure partition, said first conduit having a first terminus within said first chamber and a second terminus within said second chamber, said first terminus connected to said signal processing circuitry and said second terminus having a first conduit connector; and

,

(f) a cable connection union bridging said second closure partition to transfer signal continuity between inside and outside connection joints, said inside connection joint having connection compatibility with said first conduit connector.

9. An assembly for processing seismic signal data as described by claim 8 having a plurality of second housings and respective second chambers.

10. An assembly for processing seismic signal data as described by claim 8 having a plurality of first signal conduits traversing said first closure partition.

11. An assembly for processing seismic signal data as described by claim 10 having a plurality of cable connection unions bridging said second closure partition.

12. An assembly for processing seismic signal data as described by claim 8 wherein said assembly further comprises an independent connection adapter having second and third conduit connection joints, said second connection joint being compatible with said first conduit connector and said third connection joint being compatible with said inside connection joint.

13. A method of providing connector compatibility between seismic data acquisition cables and a seismic data processing module comprising the steps of:

(a) securing data processing circuitry within a first environmental isolation chamber;

(b) linking said data processing circuitry with a signal transfer conduit to a first cable connection joint, said signal transfer conduit traversing an environmentally sealed first partition between said first chamber and a second environmental isolation chamber;

(c) closing an access opening into said second isolation chamber with a removable second partition;

(d) securing a cable connection union to said second partition to dispose an internal cable connection joint within said second chamber for connection with said first connection joint and an external cable connection joint disposed externally of said second chamber for selective connection with a data acquisition cable joint; and

,

(e) selectively opening said second isolation chamber without disturbing said first isolation chamber for exchanging said cable connecting union to coordinate the compatibility of said external socket with a desired data acquisition cable joint.