Apparatus and methods for an ocean bottom seismic sensor deployment vehicle

• US 8,579,545 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magseis FF, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fairfield Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Jewell, Stephen W., Marc, Etienne, Thompson, James N., Woodard, Reagan N. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lagman, Frederick L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Armstrong, Kyle
• Application Number:
  US13/038,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20110217123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 405/158, 187/250, 187/267, 187/268, 187/271, 414/331.12, 221/119, 221/217, 221/218, 221/219
• 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 to a subsea location, the apparatus comprising:

a frame structure having one or more rails disposed thereon, the one or more rails comprising an elevator mechanism for containing a plurality of serially connected seismic sensor devices and defining at least one exit path for dispensing one or more of the plurality of seismic sensor devices from the elevator mechanism to the subsea location;

a cover disposed on a first end of the frame structure, wherein a drive mechanism is disposed at least partially in the cover, and wherein the drive mechanism comprises a linear drive for moving a cable attachment device relative to the frame.

2. An apparatus for transferring seismic sensor devices to a subsea location, the apparatus, comprising:

a frame structure having one or more pairs of linear rails, the frame structure supporting a plurality of seismic sensor devices and defining at least one exit path for a first seismic sensor device of the plurality of seismic sensor devices and a portion of a cable that is coupled between the first seismic sensor device and a second seismic sensor device;

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

a motor coupled to the drive mechanism; and

a cover disposed on the frame structure, wherein the cover comprises a linear drive for moving a cable attachment device relative to the frame.