ANTI-ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20120275275A1
• Filed: 04/24/2012
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sercel SAS (CGG)
• Original Assignee: Cggveritas Services SA (CGG)
• Inventors: TONCHIA, Hélène
• Granted Patent: US 9,061,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/153
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/32 using rotary cleaning members
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 17/02 Preventing deposition of fouling or of dust
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/201 Constructional details of seismic cables, e.g. streamers integrated optoseismic systems G01V1/226; line connectors in general H01R, transducer mountings in general G10K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 13/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices covered by groups G01V1/00 – G01V11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24744 Longitudinal or transverse tubular cavity or cell

Abstract

Method and an anti-attachment device configured to be provided on a streamer. The anti-attachment device includes a body configured to be provided around the streamer and a first end is configured to be rotatably attached to the streamer.

Claims

1. A streamer comprising:

plural sections connected to each other; and

an anti-attachment device provided around one of the plural sections and configured to rotate relative to the one of the plural sections but not to move along the one of the plural sections.

2. The streamer of claim 1, further comprising:

a first fixing device fixedly attached to the one of the plural sections; and

the anti-attachment device has a first end configured to be rotatably fixed to the first fixing device so that a translation motion of the first end is prevented.

3. The streamer of claim 2, further comprising:

a second fixing device fixedly attached to the one of the plural sections; and

the anti-attachment device has a second end configured to be supported by the second fixing device and freely rotate.

4. The streamer of claim 1, wherein the anti-attachment device has a spiral shape.

5. The streamer of claim 1, wherein the anti-attachment device has a cylindrical shape.

6. The streamer of claim 5, wherein the anti-attachment device has one or more holes.

7. The streamer of claim 1, wherein the anti-attachment device is made of plastic.

8. The streamer of claim 1, further comprising:

an actuating device connected to the anti-attachment device and configured to rotate the anti-attachment device.

9. The streamer of claim 8, wherein the actuating device has a first part fixed to the streamer and a second part configured to rotate relative to the streamer, and the anti-attachment device is connected to the second part.

10. The streamer of claim 9, further comprising:

wings attached to the second part and configured to rotate when the streamer is towed underwater.

11. The streamer of claim 1, further comprising:

a motor attached to the anti-attachment device and configured to rotate the anti-attachment device; and

a battery connected to the motor and configured to supply electric energy.

12. The streamer of claim 11, further comprising:

an actuation device connected to the battery and configured to recharge the battery.

13. An anti-attachment device configured to be provided on a streamer, the anti-attachment device comprising:

a body configured to be provided around the streamer; and

a first end configured to be rotatably attached to the streamer.

14. The anti-attachment device of claim 13, further comprising:

an anti-fouling coating to prevent marine animals to attach to the anti-attachment device.

15. The anti-attachment device of claim 13, wherein at least a part is made of an anti-fouling material to prevent marine animals to attach to the anti-attachment device.

16. The anti-attachment device of claim 13, further comprising:

an anti-sticking coating provided inside the anti-attachment device to improve a rotation of the anti-attachment device relative to the streamer.

17. The anti-attachment device of claim 13, further comprising:

a brush provided on the inside of the anti-attachment device.

18. The anti-attachment device of claim 13, further comprising:

one or more wings attached to an outside or inside of the anti-attachment device to promote the rotation movement.

19. A method for agitating water around a streamer, the method comprising:

providing an anti-attachment device along the streamer; and

rotationally fixing the anti-attachment device on the streamer so that the anti-attachment device rotates but does not moves along the streamer when towed underwater.

20. A method for providing a spiral anti-attachment device around a streamer when deployed underwater for seismic exploration, the method comprising:

storing the streamer on a spool on a vessel;

deploying the streamer from the spool into the water while the vessel is moving; and

adding the spiral anti-attachment device on the streamer as the streamer is unspooled from the spool.