Patent · US Expired

Method of towing sources of seismic energy behind a vessel, and an arrangement for use in the method

US5157636A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 9, 1991
Grant dateOct 20, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 9, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A90/30
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In towing sources of seismic energy behind a vessel, especially in connection with seismic surveys in waters which are covered with ice, the buoyancy floats and also the sources of seismic energy are readily influenced by broken up ice collecting behind the icebreaking towing vessel. In order to stabilize the tow of sources of seismic energy a towing line (7) is secured between the buoyancy means (4) belonging to the tow of sources of energy (3) and the vessel (1) at a point (10) which is located in the area of the waterline, so that towing line (7) will extend in the area of the waterline. Another towing line (8) is connected directly with the array of sources of seismic energy (5) and is secured to a towing point (11) on the vessel (1) located below the waterline. An arrangement is also disclosed for securing the towing line (8) in a suitable location to avoid influence from ice and, furthermore, the design of floats (4) avoids influence from the ice.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.