WO1989008270A1 - Improvements in or relating to arrays of filamentary form - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to arrays of filamentary form Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1989008270A1 WO1989008270A1 PCT/GB1989/000186 GB8900186W WO8908270A1 WO 1989008270 A1 WO1989008270 A1 WO 1989008270A1 GB 8900186 W GB8900186 W GB 8900186W WO 8908270 A1 WO8908270 A1 WO 8908270A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- array
- sensors
- reinforcement member
- centrally
- disposed reinforcement
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
- G01V1/16—Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
- G01V1/20—Arrangements of receiving elements, e.g. geophone pattern
- G01V1/201—Constructional details of seismic cables, e.g. streamers
Definitions
- This invention relates to arrays of filamantary form.
- the invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with towable arrays whereby water-bome sound waves generated for geophysical survey purposes may be sensed.
- One object of the invention is to provide an array of filamentary form which is of substantially IBSS lateral cross-section than presently known arrays.
- an array of filamentary form comprises a body housing a central, longitudinally-extending reinforcement member and a plurality of sensors distributed within the body of the array, in the proximity of the outer surface thereof,wherein said centrally-disposed reinforcement member serves to convey signals emitted by the sensors.
- the centrally-disposed reinforcement member may also serve to conduct electrical power to the sensors.
- the central member may be formed and constructed 90 as to accept towing loads applied to the array.
- Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view, in medial section, of the array
- Figure 3 is a view similar to that illustrated by Figure 2 and shows a modification.
- a water-borne sound-wave sensing array 1 of filamentary form is shown being towed through water 2 by a marine craft comprising a surface vessel 3.
- the array 1 is towed through the water for geophysical survey purposes, being used to sense sound waves resulting from applying shock loads to the sea bed.
- the array 1 is connected to a towing cable 4 by way of a vibration isolation coupling 5.
- a rope tail 6, which reduces any tendency for the array to "snake”, is normally (but not necessarily) connected to the rear end of the array 1 by way of another vibration isolation coupling 5.
- the array 1 comprises a cylindrical body 10 housing a central, longitudinally-extending reinforcement member 11, which, in this example, is formed and constructed as a strain member so as to accept towing loads 16 applied to the array.
- a plurality of sensors 12 is distributed within the body 10 of the array, in the proximity of the external surface 13 thereof. (As used herein, the term "proximity" is intended to mean near or at the external surface of the array).
- the sensors 12 comprise hydrophones, although alternatively, or in addition, the array may carry devices whereby, for example, water depth of the array, ambient water temperature and towing loads may be sensed.
- the array body 10 is of circular cross-section, viewed normal to its central axis, which axis is coicident with the longitudinal axis 17 of the central member 11, which is also of circular cross-section.
- the central, tow-load accepting reinforcement/strain member 11 of this example comprises a copper-clad, multi-strand wire rope, enclosed within a sheath 14 of dielectric material. (Polyethylene).
- the dielectric sheath 14 is enclosed within a screening structure, comprising a copper braid 15.
- the braid 15 is enclosed by a first inner sheath 20, which is itself enclosed by a second inner sheath 21.
- P.T.F.E. tape 22 is wound around the sheath 21 and the sheaths 20, 21 and tape 22 are enclosed within first and second sheaths 23, 24.
- the sheaths 20, 21, 23, 24 are all of plastics material, sheaths 20, 21 being of polyurethane and sheaths 23, 24 of polyethylene.
- Buoyancy tubes 25 of NYLON are disposed in grooves formed in the bore of the sheath 23.
- the sheath 14, braid 15 and sheaths 20, 21, 23, 24 are all of circular cross-section, viewed normal to the central axis of the array body 10, and are thus all co-axially disposed.
- the sensors 12 are set in modules or beds 30 of polyurethane material, which material serves as an acoustic coupling medium with the ambient sea water.
- Decoupling material 31 acoustically isolates the beds 30 from surrounding portions of sheaths 21, 23, 24 of array body 10.
- the outer surfaces 32 of the sensors 12 are near (say 2.0mm) to the external surface 13 of the body 10.
- Conductor leads 33 connect the sensors 12 and/or associated electronic equipment with the central reinforcement/strain member 11 which also serves as a databus whereby output signals emitted by the sensors are conveyed (via the copper cladding of the member 11, and/or the member 11 itself, the towing cable 4 and slip rings 34) to monitoring and power supply equipment 35 carried by the towing vessel 3.
- the centrally disposed member 11 is also used to convey electrical power to the array 1.
- the central member 11 can be clad with an alternative to copper.
- a silver coating can be used.
- Figure 3 illustrates a modification wherein the array is provided with a copper braid 40 co-axially disposed between the centrally-disposed member 11 and the surrounding dielectric sheath 14, thus embracing the member 11 closely.
- the braid 40 which can be considered part of the central member 11, is also used to convey output signals from the sensors 12 and/or to convey electrical power within the array.
- the invention provides a compact array of substantially reduced lateral cross-section (say 30.0mm diameter), compared with presently known arrays, thus, for example, reducing drag forces, weight, volume and cost.
- the invention is not, however, confined to arrays intended to be towed through water by marine craft, or even towed at all.
- Arrays according to the invention may be carried by various forms of transport. They may also be used in static modes, for example in moored, upright attitudes, or horizontally disposed, resting on, and secured to, the sea bed.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
- Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
Abstract
An array (1) of filamentary form comprises a cylindrical body (10) housing a centrally-disposed reinforcement member (11) and a plurality of sound-wave sensors (12) distributed within the body (10), in the proximity of the external surface (13) of the body (10). The array (1), which is suitable for geophysical survey purposes, may be towed through water (2) by a vessel (3). The reinforcement member (11) is used to accept towing loads applied to the array (1), to serve as a databus for conveying signals emitted by the sensors, and to conduct electrical power to the sensors (12).
Description
"Improvements in or relating to Arrays of filamentary Form"
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
This invention relates to arrays of filamantary form.
The invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with towable arrays whereby water-bome sound waves generated for geophysical survey purposes may be sensed. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is to provide an array of filamentary form which is of substantially IBSS lateral cross-section than presently known arrays. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, an array of filamentary form comprises a body housing a central, longitudinally-extending reinforcement member and a plurality of sensors distributed within the body of the array, in the proximity of the outer surface thereof,wherein said centrally-disposed reinforcement member serves to convey signals emitted by the sensors.
The centrally-disposed reinforcement member may also serve to conduct electrical power to the sensors.
For towing through water, the central member may be formed and constructed 90 as to accept towing loads applied to the array. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCODPANYING DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention mill now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein :-
Figure 1 illustrates the towing of a sound-wave sensing array through water,
Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view, in medial section, of the array, and Figure 3 is a view similar to that illustrated by Figure 2 and shows a modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference first to Figure 1, a water-borne sound-wave sensing array 1 of filamentary form is shown being towed through water 2 by a marine craft comprising a surface vessel 3. The array 1 is towed through the water for geophysical survey purposes, being used to sense sound waves resulting from applying shock loads to the sea bed. The array 1 is connected to a towing cable 4 by way of a vibration isolation coupling 5. A rope tail 6, which reduces any tendency for the array to "snake", is normally (but not necessarily) connected to the rear end of the array 1 by way of another vibration isolation coupling 5.
The towing cable 4 is connected to a winch 7 carried by the vessel 3. With reference now to Figure 2, the array 1 comprises a cylindrical body 10 housing a central, longitudinally-extending reinforcement member 11, which, in this example, is formed and constructed as a strain member so as to accept towing loads 16 applied to the array. A plurality of sensors 12 is distributed within the body 10 of the array, in the proximity of the external
surface 13 thereof. (As used herein, the term "proximity" is intended to mean near or at the external surface of the array). As the array 1 of this embodiment is a sound-wave sensing array, the sensors 12 comprise hydrophones, although alternatively, or in addition, the array may carry devices whereby, for example, water depth of the array, ambient water temperature and towing loads may be sensed.
The array body 10 is of circular cross-section, viewed normal to its central axis, which axis is coicident with the longitudinal axis 17 of the central member 11, which is also of circular cross-section.
The central, tow-load accepting reinforcement/strain member 11 of this example comprises a copper-clad, multi-strand wire rope, enclosed within a sheath 14 of dielectric material. (Polyethylene). The dielectric sheath 14 is enclosed within a screening structure, comprising a copper braid 15.
The braid 15 is enclosed by a first inner sheath 20, which is itself enclosed by a second inner sheath 21. P.T.F.E. tape 22 is wound around the sheath 21 and the sheaths 20, 21 and tape 22 are enclosed within first and second sheaths 23, 24.
The sheaths 20, 21, 23, 24 are all of plastics material, sheaths 20, 21 being of polyurethane and sheaths 23, 24 of polyethylene.
Buoyancy tubes 25 of NYLON (Registered Trade Mark) are disposed in grooves formed in the bore of the sheath 23.
The sheath 14, braid 15 and sheaths 20, 21, 23, 24 are all of circular cross-section, viewed normal to the central axis of the array body 10, and are thus all co-axially disposed.
The sensors 12 are set in modules or beds 30 of polyurethane material, which material serves as an acoustic coupling medium with the ambient sea water. Decoupling material 31 acoustically isolates the beds 30 from surrounding portions of sheaths 21, 23, 24 of array body 10. The outer surfaces 32 of the sensors 12 are near (say 2.0mm) to the external surface 13 of the body 10. Conductor leads 33 connect the sensors 12 and/or associated electronic equipment with the central reinforcement/strain member 11 which also serves as a databus whereby output signals emitted by the sensors are conveyed (via the copper cladding of the member 11, and/or the member 11 itself, the towing cable 4 and slip rings 34) to monitoring and power supply equipment 35 carried by the towing vessel 3. The centrally disposed member 11 is also used to convey electrical power to the array 1.
The central member 11 can be clad with an alternative to copper. For example, a silver coating can be used. Figure 3 illustrates a modification wherein the array is provided with a copper braid 40 co-axially disposed between the centrally-disposed member 11 and the surrounding dielectric sheath 14, thus embracing the member 11 closely. The braid 40, which can be considered part of the central member 11, is also used to convey output signals from the sensors 12 and/or to convey electrical power within the array.
The invention provides a compact array of substantially reduced lateral cross-section (say 30.0mm diameter), compared with presently known arrays, thus, for example, reducing drag forces, weight, volume and cost. The invention is not, however, confined to arrays intended to be towed through water by marine craft, or even towed at all. Arrays according to the invention may be carried by various forms of transport. They may also be used in static modes, for example in moored, upright attitudes, or horizontally disposed, resting on, and secured to, the sea bed.
Claims
1. An array of filamentary form, characterised in that it comprises a body (10) housing a central, longitudinally-extending reinforcement member (11) and a plurality of sensors (12) distributed within the body of the array, in the proximity of the outer surface (13) thereof, wherein said centrally-disposed reinforcement member (11) serves to conveyi signals emitted by the sensors (12).
2. An array as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the centrally-disposed reinforcement member (11) also serves to conduct electrical power to the sensors (12).
3. An array as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, towable through water, characterised in that the centrally-disposed reinforcement member (11) is formed and constructed so as to accept towing loads applied
to the array (1).
4. An array as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the sensors (12) are used to detect water-borne sound waves.
5. An array as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the centrally-disposed reinforcement member (11) is enclosed by a sheath (14) of dielectric material enclosed in turn by a screening structure (15).
6. An array as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the centrally-disposed reinforcement member (11) and screening structure (15) are in turn enclosed by inner (20) and outer (21) co-axial sheaths of plastics material.
7. An array as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the sensors (12) are set in beds (30) of acoustic coupling material, the beds (30) being acoustically isolated from surrounding portions of the body (10) of the array.
B. An array as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a structure (40) embraces the centrally-disposed reinforcement member (11) and the sheath (14) of dielectric material, and serves to convey output signals from the sensors (12) and/or to convey electrical power within the array (1).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NO90903735A NO903735L (en) | 1988-02-24 | 1990-08-24 | DEVICE FOR INSTALLATION WITH WIRELESS FORM. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8804314A GB2215461B (en) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-02-24 | Improvements in or relating to arrays of filamentary form |
GB8804314 | 1988-02-24 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1989008270A1 true WO1989008270A1 (en) | 1989-09-08 |
Family
ID=10632288
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1989/000186 WO1989008270A1 (en) | 1988-02-24 | 1989-02-23 | Improvements in or relating to arrays of filamentary form |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0409863A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU3355189A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2215461B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1989008270A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NO308681B1 (en) * | 1998-06-19 | 2000-10-09 | Cit Alcatel | Seismic cable with integrated sensor housing and the electrical and optical conductors arranged externally around the sensor housing |
US7184364B2 (en) | 2002-10-29 | 2007-02-27 | Geospace Engineering Resources International, Lp | Armored seabed laid seismic cable and method and apparatus for manufacturing same |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1548503A1 (en) * | 1966-07-29 | 1970-07-30 | Prakla Gmbh | Measuring cable for seismic sea measurements |
US4510588A (en) * | 1981-12-22 | 1985-04-09 | Shell Oil Company | Hydrophone cable decoupler |
US4689777A (en) * | 1981-04-21 | 1987-08-25 | Shell Oil Company | Filled hydrophone mounts |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3531760A (en) * | 1968-09-12 | 1970-09-29 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Solid seismic streamer |
US3978446A (en) * | 1975-08-25 | 1976-08-31 | Gte Sylvania Incorporated | Electret cable hydrophone array |
EP0134684A3 (en) * | 1983-08-18 | 1986-01-15 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Low noise digital seismic streamer and method of marine seismic exploration |
US4694436A (en) * | 1984-05-29 | 1987-09-15 | Western Geophysical Company Of America | Noise-attenuating streamer-cable bulkhead |
-
1988
- 1988-02-24 GB GB8804314A patent/GB2215461B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1989
- 1989-02-23 AU AU33551/89A patent/AU3355189A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1989-02-23 WO PCT/GB1989/000186 patent/WO1989008270A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1989-02-23 EP EP19890904152 patent/EP0409863A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1548503A1 (en) * | 1966-07-29 | 1970-07-30 | Prakla Gmbh | Measuring cable for seismic sea measurements |
US4689777A (en) * | 1981-04-21 | 1987-08-25 | Shell Oil Company | Filled hydrophone mounts |
US4510588A (en) * | 1981-12-22 | 1985-04-09 | Shell Oil Company | Hydrophone cable decoupler |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
IEEE Transactions on Sonics and Ultrasonics, volume SU-29, no. 4, July 1982, IEEE, (New York, US), A.J. Berni et al.: "Evaluation of a solid hydrophone cable", pages 205-212 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0409863A1 (en) | 1991-01-30 |
GB2215461B (en) | 1992-05-20 |
GB2215461A (en) | 1989-09-20 |
AU3355189A (en) | 1989-09-22 |
GB8804314D0 (en) | 1988-03-23 |
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