Control Devices for Controlling the Position of a Marine Seismic Streamer

• US 20090204274A1
• Filed: 04/15/2009
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simon Hastings Bittleston
• Original Assignee: Simon Hastings Bittleston
• Inventors: Bittleston, Simon Hastings
• Granted Patent: US 9,395,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/302
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3808 Seismic data acquisition, e.g. survey design
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/3826 dynamic steering, e.g. by paravanes or birds

Abstract

A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer'"'"'s lateral position as well as its depth.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A control device comprising:

a body having first and second end portions adapted to be connected to respective sections of a marine seismic streamer;

two opposed control surfaces projecting outwardly from the body, each control surface being rotatable about an axis which extends transversely of the streamer; and

a control circuit responsive to control signals adapted to independently adjust the respective angular positions of said control surfaces so as to control the lateral position of the streamer as well as the depth.

48. The control device of claim 47, further comprising:

at least one sensor in the body for determining the angular position of the body in a plane approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the streamer, wherein the control circuit is responsive to the at least one sensor.

49. The control device of claim 47, wherein the two control surfaces are releasably secured to the body.

50. The control device of claim 47, wherein the two control surfaces are secured to the body by quick-release attachments.

51. The control device of claim 50, wherein the body is adapted to be wound onto a streamer drum while still connected to the streamer.

52. The control device of claim 47, wherein the control circuit is connected to at least one electrical motor.

53. The control device of claim 47, wherein the control circuit includes at least one hydraulic actuator.

54. The control device of claim 47, wherein the two control surfaces rotate about a common axis.

55. The control device of claim 47, wherein each of the two control surfaces comprises a respective wing-like member that is swept back with respect to the direction of tow of the streamer.

56. The control device of claim 47, wherein the body is adapted to be non-rotatably coupled to the streamer.