# US 2019/0377097 A1 · Sensor node attachment mechanism and cable retrieval system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0377097 A1 - Document ID: US20190377097A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/436,874 - Filed: 2019-06-10 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-08 - Assignees: ION Geophysical Corporation - Applicants: ION Geophysical Corporation - Inventors: Timothy A. Dudley; Darrell Burch; Paul Brettwood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190377097A1 ## CPC - G01V 1/201: {Constructional details of seismic cables, e.g. streamers (integrated optoseismic systems G01V1/226; line connectors in general H01R, transducer mountings in general G10K11/004)} - G01V 1/3843: {Deployment of seismic devices, e.g. of streamers (equipment for marine deployment in general B63B)} - B63B 27/36: {Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment} for floating cargo {(deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts of hoists B63B27/16)} - B65H 75/425: {attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel} - G01V 1/20: Arrangements of receiving elements, e.g. geophone pattern - G01V 1/3835: {measuring position, e.g. by GPS or acoustically} - H02G 1/10: in or under water - H02G 9/12: supported on or from floats, e.g. in water - B63B 21/66: Equipment specially adapted for towing underwater objects or vessels, e.g. fairings for tow-cables ({paravanes for dragging fishing nets A01K73/02; } salvaging underwater vessels or objects B63C7/00; towed underwater vessels B63G8/42) - B63B 2027/165: {Deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts or hoists} - G01V 1/3852: {to the seabed} - G01V 2210/1423: Sea - G01V 2210/1427: Sea bed - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract An attachment system for releasably attaching a sensor node to a cable when in a coupled state includes a clamp base and a clamp grip. The clamp base is fixed to a surface of the sensor node. The clamp base further includes a latch that is biased in a latched position when the attachment system is in both the coupled state and an uncoupled state. The clamp grip is pivotably attached the clamp base and biased in an open position when the attachment system is in the uncoupled state. The clamp grip is secured to the clamp base by the latch when the attachment system is in the coupled state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An attachment system for releasably attaching a sensor node to a cable, the attachment system comprising a clamp base fixed to a surface of the sensor node, wherein the clamp base further comprises a latch that is biased in a latched position when the attachment system is in both the coupled state and an uncoupled state; and a clamp grip pivotably attached the clamp base and biased in an open position when the attachment system is in the uncoupled state; wherein the clamp grip is secured to the clamp base by the latch when the attachment system is in the coupled state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The attachment system of claim 1, further comprising a channel disposed between the clamp base and the clamp grip within which the cable is positioned when the attachment system is attached to the cable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The attachment system of claim 2, wherein a first portion of the channel is defined within the clamp grip and a second portion of the channel is defined within the clamp base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The attachment system of claim 3, wherein a plurality of raised ribs extend from a surface of the first portion of the channel, a surface of the second portion of the channel, or both. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the clamp base further comprises a first set of hinge knuckles formed thereon; the clamp grip further comprises a second set of hinge knuckles formed thereon and configured to pivotably interface with the first set of hinge knuckles; and a hinge pin is positioned between and within the first and second sets of hinge knuckles to form a hinged attachment between the clamp base and the clamp grip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the clamp grip further comprises a plurality of latch fingers which are secured to the clamp base by the latch when the attachment system is in the coupled state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The attachment system of claim 6, wherein the latch further comprises a latch pin with a plurality of latch plates separated by a plurality of keyways, wherein the latch fingers are configured to fit within the keyways when the latch is forced into an open position by a first external force and further when the clamp grip is forced into a closed position by a second external force when the attachment system is in the uncoupled state; and the latch fingers are retained within the latch by the latch plates to maintain the clamp grip in the closed position when the first and second external forces are removed such that the latch returns to the latched position. ### Claim 8 A seismic sensor node apparatus comprising a cable configured for deployment to a seismic medium; and a plurality of seismic sensor nodes coupled to the cable, wherein each sensor node comprises a seismic sensor disposed within a housing and configured to generate signals responsive to seismic energy propagating in the seismic medium; and a coupling mechanism fixed to an exterior of the housing for removably coupling the housing to the cable, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a clamp configured to grip the cable in a coupled state and biased in an open position in an uncoupled state; and a clamp latch configured to secure the clamp in the coupled state and biased in a latched position both when the clamp is secured the coupled state and biased in the open position in the uncoupled state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a channel disposed within the coupling mechanism within which the cable is positioned when the coupling mechanism is attached to the cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 9, wherein a first portion of the channel is defined within a first portion of the clamp and a second portion of the channel is defined within a second portion of the clamp. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 10, wherein a plurality of raised ribs extend from a surface of the first portion of the channel, a surface of the second portion of the channel, or both. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 8, wherein the clamp further comprises a first set of hinge knuckles formed in a first portion of the clamp; a second set of hinge knuckles formed in a second portion of the clamp and configured to pivotably interface with the first set of hinge knuckles; and a hinge pin positioned between and within the first and second sets of hinge knuckles to form a hinged attachment between the first portion of the clamp and the second portion of the clamp. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second portion of the clamp further comprises a plurality of latch fingers which are secured to the first portion of the clamp by the latch when the coupling mechanism is in the coupled state. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 13, wherein the latch further comprises a latch pin defining a plurality of latch plates separated by a plurality of keyways; the latch fingers are configured to fit within the keyways when the latch is forced into an open position by a first external force and further when the clamp is forced into a closed position by a second external force when the coupling mechanism is in the uncoupled state; and the latch fingers are retained within the latch by the latch plates to maintain the clamp in the closed position when the first and second external forces are removed such that the latch returns to the latched position. ### Claim 15 A cable retrieval system for paying out or retrieving a length of a cable with sensor nodes attached thereto, the system comprising an overboarding unit through which the cable travels during payout or retrieval from deployment; a position sensing device positioned with respect to the overboarding unit such that a field of view of the position sensing device includes a path of the cable either forward or aft, or both, of the overboarding unit before sections of the cable reach the overboarding unit; and a control system connected to the position sensing device and to the overboarding unit; wherein the control system is configured to receive position information from the position sensing device of one of the sensor nodes attached to the cable when the one of the sensor nodes is within the field of view; and the control system is configured to process the position information to time control signals to operate the overboarding unit such that the one of the sensor nodes avoids contact with structures on the overboarding unit as the cable passes through the overboarding unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The cable retrieval system of claim 15, wherein the overboarding unit further comprises a rotating frame; a plurality of rotating sheaves mounted on the rotating frame at spaced apart positions; and a locking system under control of the control system configured to arrest rotation of the rotating frame, wherein the control system is configured to engage the locking system and prevent rotation of the rotating frame when the position sensing device does not detect one of the sensor nodes within the field of view; and the control system is configured to disengage the locking system to allow rotation of the rotating frame when the position sensing device detects one of the sensor nodes within the field of view and the sensor node reaches a threshold position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The cable retrieval system of claim 16, wherein the one of the sensor nodes is positioned between two adjacent rotating sheaves when the locking system is disengaged. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The cable retrieval system of claim 17, wherein the control system engages the locking system to lock the rotating frame in a position such that the one of the sensor nodes does not contact any of the rotating sheaves before the one of the sensor nodes is positioned between the two adjacent rotating sheaves. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The cable retrieval system of claim 17, wherein the control system engages the locking system to lock the rotating frame in a position such that the one of the sensor nodes does not contact any of the rotating sheaves when the one of the sensor nodes passes beyond the overboarding unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The cable retrieval system of claim 15, wherein the position sensing device is one or more of a stereoscopic camera, a laser curtain generator, or a proximity sensor.