Apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismometers
AssigneeFairfield Industries Incorporated
InventorsJames N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A deployment and retrieval apparatus for ocean bottom seismic receivers, the apparatus being a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a carrier attached thereto and carrying a plurality of receivers. The carrier includes a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing the receivers. The structure includes one or more movable conveyors disposed to move receivers along a linear path relative to the frame in order to discharge and retrieve ocean bottom seismic receivers.
Claims25
An apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismic data receivers, said apparatus comprising:
- a remotely operated vehicle;
- and a carrier attached to said remotely operated vehicle, wherein said carrier is disposed to carry at least two ocean bottom seismic data receivers removeably secured therein, said carrier further comprising a frame and multiple separate, movable conveyors housed within said frame, wherein said plurality of receivers can be disposed on said conveyor, wherein at least one of said conveyors comprises a belt, and wherein said at least one belt conveyor is defined along a linear path and is disposed to move receivers along its linear path, wherein said path has a first end and a second end and linearly extends between its first end and a second end.
An apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismic data receivers, said apparatus comprising:
- a remotely operated vehicle;
- and a carrier attached to said remotely operated vehicle, wherein said carrier is disposed to carry at least two ocean bottom seismic data receivers removeably secured therein, said carrier further comprising:
- a frame and a movable conveyor housed within said frame, wherein said plurality of receivers can be disposed on said conveyor, wherein said conveyor comprises a belt, and wherein said conveyor is defined along a linear path and is disposed to move receivers along its linear path, wherein said path has a first end and a second end and linearly extends between its first end and a second end;
- and a discharge port, wherein said conveyor is movable to selectively position a receiver adjacent the discharge port.
An apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismic data receivers, said apparatus comprising:
- a remotely operated vehicle;
- a robotic arm;
- and a carrier attached to said remotely operated vehicle, wherein said carrier is disposed to carry at least two ocean bottom seismic data receivers removeably secured therein, said carrier further comprising a frame and a movable conveyor housed within said frame, wherein said plurality of receivers can be disposed on said conveyor, wherein said conveyor comprises a belt, and wherein said conveyor is defined along a linear path and is disposed to move receivers along its linear path, wherein said path has a first end and a second end and linearly extends between its first end and a second end.
An apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismic data receivers, said apparatus comprising:
- a remotely operated vehicle;
- and a carrier attached to said remotely operated vehicle, wherein said carrier is disposed to carry at least two ocean bottom seismic data receivers removeably secured therein, said carrier further comprising a frame and a movable conveyor housed within said frame, wherein said plurality of receivers can be disposed on said conveyor, wherein the frame is bisected by an elongated axis passing through a first end and a second end of said frame and along which elongated axis is defined a linear path;
- wherein said movable conveyor is disposed to move along the linear path so as to transfer ocean bottom seismic data receivers to a position adjacent the second end of said frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.