Ocean bottom seismic sensor deployment vehicle
AssigneeFairfield Industries Incorporated
InventorsStephen W. Jewell, Etienne Marc, James N. Thompson, Reagan N. Woodard, JR.
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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.
Claims20
An apparatus for transferring seismic sensor devices, comprising:
- 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.
An apparatus for transferring seismic sensor devices, comprising:
- a frame structure having one or more pairs of linear rails disposed thereon defining at least one exit path for one or more seismic sensor devices;
- a drive mechanism disposed in at least one of the linear rails;
- and
- a motor coupled to the drive mechanism.
A method for placing seismic sensor devices on a seafloor, comprising:
- suspending a frame structure in a water column from a surface vessel, the frame structure having a first end and a second end containing one or more columns comprising a plurality of sensor devices;
- actuating a drive device to move the plurality of sensor devices in one of the one or more columns toward the second end and releasing a first sensor device from one of the one or more columns out of the second end of the frame structure at a first intended locational position on the seafloor;
- and
- moving the suspended frame structure to a second intended locational position on the seafloor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.