Underwater seismic exploration with a helical conveyor and skid structure
US10114137B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V2210/1427
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to underwater seismic exploration with a helical conveyor and skid structure. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a sensor to identify a case having a hydrodynamic shape, wherein the case stores one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units. The underwater vehicle includes an arm. The underwater vehicle includes an actuator to position the arm in an open state above a cap of the case, or to close the arm. The underwater vehicle can move the arm to a bottom portion of the case opposite the cap. An opening of the case can be aligned with the conveyor of the underwater vehicle. The conveyor can receive, via the opening of the case, a first OBS unit of the one or more OBS units. The conveyor can move the first OBS unit to the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.