Ocean bottom seismic station
First Claim
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1. An ocean bottom seismic station, comprising:
- a base member having a center portion and a flexible tapered end portion to couple with a strength element of a cable within an ocean bottom seismic cable array, the tapered end being provided with through-voids to increase the flexibility and whereby the center portion provides a generally stiffer area than the tapered end portion;
a housing disposed on the base member, the housing defining a cavity therein for enclosing at least one sensor on the base member; and
a cover coupled to a first side of the base member to define a first interior volume between the cover and the base member for storing an excess length of an uncut first optical cable of the seismic cable,wherein the housing is coupled to a second side of the base member opposite from the first side to define a second interior volume between the housing and the base member,wherein an aperture through the base member enables sealed passage between the first and second interior volumes of a second optical cable of the seismic cable for connection of the second optical cable to the sensor components and whereincentral flexible guides extending from the center portion and along the flexible tapered end of the base member provide a protected passage for an optical waveguide member of the cable.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for cable termination and sensor integration at a sensor station within an ocean bottom seismic (OBS) cable array are disclosed. The sensor stations include a housing for various sensor components. Additionally, the sensor stations can accommodate an excess length of any data transmission members which may not be cut at the sensor station while enabling connection of one or more cut data transmission members with the sensor components. The sensor stations further manage any strength elements of the cable array.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An ocean bottom seismic station, comprising:
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a base member having a center portion and a flexible tapered end portion to couple with a strength element of a cable within an ocean bottom seismic cable array, the tapered end being provided with through-voids to increase the flexibility and whereby the center portion provides a generally stiffer area than the tapered end portion; a housing disposed on the base member, the housing defining a cavity therein for enclosing at least one sensor on the base member; and a cover coupled to a first side of the base member to define a first interior volume between the cover and the base member for storing an excess length of an uncut first optical cable of the seismic cable, wherein the housing is coupled to a second side of the base member opposite from the first side to define a second interior volume between the housing and the base member, wherein an aperture through the base member enables sealed passage between the first and second interior volumes of a second optical cable of the seismic cable for connection of the second optical cable to the sensor components and wherein central flexible guides extending from the center portion and along the flexible tapered end of the base member provide a protected passage for an optical waveguide member of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An ocean bottom seismic sensor station, comprising:
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a base member having a center portion and a relatively more flexible end portion to couple with a strength element of a cable within an ocean bottom seismic cable array; and a housing disposed on the base member, the housing defining a cavity therein for enclosing at least one sensor on the base member, wherein an outside wall of the housing defines a rounded perimeter, the strength element of the seismic cable being coiled up on an outside surface of the housing so as to continue in a continuous manner along the cable to a next sensor station, the strength member thus being uncut at the seismic station. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An ocean bottom seismic sensor station for disposal on a seismic cable, comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity for enclosing at least one sensor; first and second optical cables of the seismic cable; the first optical cable including multiple fibers within a metal tube (FIMT), bypassing the sensor station without being terminated, and being coiled on an outside surface of the housing; and the second optical cable including an optical fiber within a metal tube, the second optical cable being coupled to the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An ocean bottom seismic sensor station for disposal on a seismic cable, comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity for enclosing at least one sensor; first and second optical cables of the seismic cable; the first optical cable including multiple fibers within a metal tube (FIMT) and bypassing the sensor station without being terminated, wherein the first optical cable defines a loop that wraps onto the housing from both ends of the housing towards a central region of the housing where a midpoint of the loop is disposed; and the second optical cable including an optical fiber within a metal tube, the second optical cable being coupled to the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification