OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMIC SENSOR DEPLOYMENT VEHICLE

• US 20110217123A1
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magseis FF, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fairfield Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Woodard, Reagan N. JR., Thompson, James N., Jewell, Stephen W., Marc, Etienne
• Granted Patent: US 8,579,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/158
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/16 on the bottom
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3852 to the seabed

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method for transferring one or more seismic sensor devices to or from a support vessel on or near a surface of a body of water and a subsurface marine location. In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring seismic sensor devices is provided. The apparatus includes a frame structure having one or more rails disposed thereon, the one or more rails comprising an elevator mechanism and defining at least one exit path for one or more seismic sensor devices, and one or more motors coupled to the elevator mechanism.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring seismic sensor devices, comprising:

a frame structure having one or more rails disposed thereon, the one or more rails comprising an elevator mechanism and defining at least one exit path for one or more seismic sensor devices; and

one or more motors coupled to the elevator mechanism.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more rails comprise at least two linear rails.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least two linear rails comprise a rotatable screw.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a control device is coupled to the frame structure.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a cable coupled to the frame structure, the cable providing signals to and from the control device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover disposed on a first end of the frame structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a drive mechanism is disposed at least partially in the cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a plurality of gears coupled to the one or motors.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a linear drive for moving a cable attachment device relative to the frame.

10. An apparatus for transferring seismic sensor devices, comprising:

a frame structure having one or more pairs of linear rails disposed thereon defining at least one exit path for one or more seismic sensor devices;

a drive mechanism disposed in at least one of the linear rails; and

a motor coupled to the drive mechanism.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a rotatable screw.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the motor is disposed on a first end of the frame structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a plurality of gears coupled to the motor.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a cover disposed on the frame structure.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cover comprises a linear drive for moving a cable attachment device relative to the frame.

16. A method for placing seismic sensor devices on a seafloor, comprising:

suspending a frame structure in a water column from a surface vessel, the frame structure having a first end and a second end containing one or more columns comprising a plurality of sensor devices;

actuating a drive device to move the plurality of sensor devices in one of the one or more columns toward the second end and releasing a first sensor device from one of the one or more columns out of the second end of the frame structure at a first intended locational position on the seafloor; and

moving the suspended frame structure to a second intended locational position on the seafloor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of sensor devices are contained in one or more linear rails within the frame structure.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein actuation of the drive device comprises rotating a screw device disposed in at least one of the linear rails.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

actuating the drive device to move the plurality of sensor devices in another one of the one or more columns toward the second end and releasing a second sensor device from one of the one or more columns out of the second end of the frame structure at a second intended locational position on the seafloor.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

actuating the drive device to move the plurality of sensor devices in another one of the one or more columns toward the second end and releasing a third sensor device from one of the one or more columns out of the second end of the frame structure at a third intended locational position on the seafloor.