OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMIC STATION

• US 20110222374A1
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optoplan AS (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Optoplan AS (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Berg, Arne, Bliksås, Tormod, Heglum, Torbjørn, Furuhaug, Roar
• Granted Patent: US 8,611,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/188
• 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 2210/1427 Sea bed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

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.

Claims

1. A seismic sensor station for disposal on a seismic cable, comprising:

a base member configured to restrain on a first side of the base member complementary coupling members fixed to each end of a cut strength member of the seismic cable;

a first cover coupled to the first side of the base member to define a first interior volume between the first cover and the base member for storing an excess length of an uncut first optical cable of the seismic cable; and

a second cover coupled to a second side of the base member opposite from the first side to define a second interior volume between the second cover and the base member for housing sensor components, 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.

2. The seismic sensor station of claim 1, wherein a fiber in metal tube of the second optical cable is sealed within the aperture.

3. The seismic sensor station of claim 1, wherein the complementary coupling members are disposed in a cavity within the base.

4. The seismic sensor station of claim 1, wherein the complementary coupling members are disposed in a cavity within the base and retained within the cavity by the first cover.

5. A method of integrating a sensor station in an ocean bottom seismic cable array, comprising:

providing a cable of the ocean bottom seismic cable array having a strength element and a data transmission member; and

coupling a base member of a sensor station to the strength element, wherein the base member is substantially seismically decoupled from the cable at tensions between the base member and cable below a predetermined value.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the base member to the strength element utilizes a biasing member with an end stop to selectively transfer tension to the end stop when tension between the cable and the base member exceeds the predetermined value.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the base member to the strength element includes coupling the strength element to a flexible end portion of the base member.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising wrapping the ocean bottom seismic cable array on a structure such that flexible end portions of the base member conform to a surface of the structure.