Seismic sensor transfer device
AssigneeFairfield Industries Incorporated
InventorsJames N. Thompson, Reagan N. Woodard, Jr., Clifford H. Ray
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for storing, transporting, and transferring one or more sensor devices is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a transfer device having a frame, and a movable platform coupled to the frame. A mesh material may be coupled to the frame and surround at least one side of the movable platform and a mating interface is formed in a side of the frame that is adapted to couple with a remotely operated vehicle in an underwater location.
Claims29
A method of installing a sensor array in a marine environment, comprising:
- deploying a remotely operated vehicle from a vessel, the remotely operated vehicle carrying a first plurality of sensor devices in a storage compartment;
- placing each of the first plurality of sensor devices in selected locations in the marine environment;
- deploying a transfer skid from the vessel having a second plurality of sensor devices disposed on a platform integral to the transfer skid;
- and
- transferring each of the second plurality of sensor devices from the transfer skid to the storage compartment at a subsurface location.
A method of installing a plurality of sensor devices in a marine environment, comprising:
- a) deploying a remotely operated vehicle from an operations platform, the remotely operated vehicle having a portion of the plurality of sensor devices disposed in a storage compartment;
- b) placing each of the sensor devices at selected locations on a seabed using the remotely operated vehicle until the storage compartment is depleted;
- c) deploying a transfer skid from the operations platform, the transfer skid having a payload comprising another plurality of sensor devices, and
- d) transferring the payload to the storage compartment at a subsurface location.
A method of retrieving a plurality of sensor devices from a subsurface location, comprising:
- a) retrieving a portion of the sensor devices from a seabed using a remotely operated vehicle in the subsurface location and placing the each of the retrieved sensor devices in a storage compartment;
- b) transferring the retrieved sensor devices from the storage compartment to a transfer skid in the subsurface location;
- and
- c) lifting the transfer device to a vessel for unloading of the retrieved sensor devices as the remotely operated vehicle retrieves another portion of the sensor devices from the seabed.
A method of installing a plurality of sensor devices in a marine environment, comprising:
- deploying a remotely operated vehicle from an operations platform, the remotely operated vehicle having a portion of the plurality of sensor devices disposed in a storage compartment;
- placing each of the sensor devices at selected locations on a seabed using the remotely operated vehicle until the storage compartment is depleted;
- and
- placing one or more transfer skids at selected locations on the seabed, wherein each of the one or more transfer skids includes another portion of the plurality of sensor devices.
A transfer skid capable of storing one or more seismic devices, comprising:
- a frame;
- a movable platform coupled to the frame;
- a mating interface formed in a side of the frame that is adapted to couple to a guide pin disposed on a remotely operated vehicle;
- and
- a power receptacle disposed on the side of the frame adjacent the mating interface to provide power to a motor disposed on the frame.
A transfer skid capable of storing one or more seismic devices, comprising:
- a frame having a mesh material forming a basket structure on an upper surface thereof to house the one or more seismic devices;
- a platform disposed within the basket structure adapted to support the one or more seismic devices;
- and
- a mating interface formed in the frame in a parallel orientation to a plane of the base of the basket structure, the mating interface adapted to receive at least one guide pin extending from a remotely operated vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.