US3786410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seismic cable assembly
Assignee: Shawcor Ltd
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Filing: 1971-12-27
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract The seismic cable assembly disclosed is made up of a plurality of lengths of cable with each link having a plurality of electrical conductors and a tensile member extending throughout its length. The lengths of cable are strung end to end and the adjacent ends of each of the lengths are connected together by connectors that connect the tensile members of adjacent cable lengths. In this way, the entire cable assembly can be moved from position to position by dragging the assembly along the ground with the load imposed on the cable by the friction between the ground, and the cable being transmitted to the towing vehicle through the tensile members. The cable assembly is connected to the towing vehicle by a connector assembly that includes a shear pin designed to fail when the force required to move the cable assembly reaches a predetermiend amount. This protects the cable from damage should it hang up as it is being dragged along the ground. The geophones and the connectors between the lengths of cable are enclosed in housings to provide smooth surfaces for sliding across the ground, and in the case of the geophones, to add weight to the geophone to improve its contact with the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 G Hazelhurst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/16; G01V1/20; G01V1/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A seismic cable assembly for moving from one position to another by dragging the assembly along the Ground, comprising a plurality of electrical conductors and a tensile member, connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of the lengths of cable including means for electrically connecting the electrical conductors in the two lengths and means to connect the tensile members to transmit the force of moving the trailing length to the tensile member of the pulling length, a plurality of geophones connected to the cable assembly cable for movement with the cable assembly as it is dragged along the ground, and means for connecting the cable assembly to a towing vehicle to drag the cable along the ground and move it from one position to another, said means including first and second connection sections, said first section being connected to the tensile member of the end of the cable length adjacent the towing vehicle, means connecting the first and second sections to transmit the drag of the cable assembly from the tensile member of the cable length adjacent the towing vehicle to the second section, and means for connecting the second section to the towing vehicle, said means including frangible means that will fail when the cable drag reaches a predetermined amount and release the cable assembly from the towing vehicle, said frangible means including means connecting the electrical conductors of the cable assembly to the towing vehicle and means for disconnecting said electrical connecting means without damage to the electrical conductors when the frangible means fails releasing the connectors between the cable assembly and the towing vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
A seismic cable assembly for moving from one position to another by dragging the assembly along the Ground, comprising a plurality of electrical conductors and a tensile member, connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of the lengths of cable including means for electrically connecting the electrical conductors in the two lengths and means to connect the tensile members to transmit the force of moving the trailing length to the tensile member of the pulling length, a plurality of geophones connected to the cable assembly cable for movement with the cable assembly as it is dragged along the ground, and means for connecting the cable assembly to a towing vehicle to drag the cable along the ground and move it from one position to another, said means including first and second connection sections, said first section being connected to the tensile member of the end of the cable length adjacent the towing vehicle, means connecting the first and second sections to transmit the drag of the cable assembly from the tensile member of the cable length adjacent the towing vehicle to the second section, and means for connecting the second section to the towing vehicle, said means including frangible means that will fail when the cable drag reaches a predetermined amount and release the cable assembly from the towing vehicle, said frangible means including means connecting the electrical conductors of the cable assembly to the towing vehicle and means for disconnecting said electrical connecting means without damage to the electrical conductors when the frangible means fails releasing the connectors between the cable assembly and the towing vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
A seismic cable assembly for moving from one position to another by dragging the assembly along the ground, comprising a plurality of lengths of cable, each length having a plurality of electrical conductors and a tensile member, connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of the lengths of cable including means for electrically connecting the electrical conductors in the two lengths, said connecting means including first and second connector sections, each section including a housing into which one of said cable length extends, means for connecting the housing to the tensile member of the cable length extending therein to transmit between them all tensile forces imposed thereon, and means for connecting the two connector sections, and a plurality of geophones connected to the cable assembly cable for movement with the cable assembly as it is dragged along the ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A seismic cable assembly for moving from one position to another by dragging the assembly along the ground, comprising a plurality of lengths of cable, each length having a plurality of electrical conductors and a tensile member, connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of the lengths of cable including means for electrically connecting the electrical conductors in the two lengths, said connecting means including first and second connector sections, each section including a housing into which one of said cable length extends, means for connecting the housing to the tensile member of the cable length extending therein to transmit between them all tensile forces imposed thereon, and means for connecting the two connector sections, and a plurality of geophones connected to the cable assembly cable for movement with the cable assembly as it is dragged along the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cable assembly of claim 2 in which the connecting means includes an outer sheath that encloses the connecting means to provide a streamlined outer surface to engage and slide along the ground as the cable is moved from position to position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
228 words
A seismic cable assembly for moving from one position to another by dragging the assembly along the ground, comprising first and second lengths of cable, each length having a plurality of electrical conductors and a tensile member, connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of the lengths of cable including means for electrically connecting the electrical conductors in the two lengths and means to connect the tensile members to transmit the force of moving the trailing length to the tensile member of the pulling length, a plurality of geophones connected to the cable assembly for movement with the cable assembly as it is dragged along the ground, and means for connecting the first length to a towing vehicle, means connecting the first and second lengths to transmit the drag of the second length from the tensile member of the second length to the first length, and means for connecting the first length to the towing vehicle, said means including frangible means that will fail when the cable drag reaches a predetermined amount and release the cable assembly from the towing vehicle, said frangible means including means connecting the electrical conductors of the cable assembly to the towing vehicle and means for disconnecting said electrical connecting means without damage to the electrical conductors when the frangiBle means fails releasing the connectors between the cable assembly and the towing vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
228 words
A seismic cable assembly for moving from one position to another by dragging the assembly along the ground, comprising first and second lengths of cable, each length having a plurality of electrical conductors and a tensile member, connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of the lengths of cable including means for electrically connecting the electrical conductors in the two lengths and means to connect the tensile members to transmit the force of moving the trailing length to the tensile member of the pulling length, a plurality of geophones connected to the cable assembly for movement with the cable assembly as it is dragged along the ground, and means for connecting the first length to a towing vehicle, means connecting the first and second lengths to transmit the drag of the second length from the tensile member of the second length to the first length, and means for connecting the first length to the towing vehicle, said means including frangible means that will fail when the cable drag reaches a predetermined amount and release the cable assembly from the towing vehicle, said frangible means including means connecting the electrical conductors of the cable assembly to the towing vehicle and means for disconnecting said electrical connecting means without damage to the electrical conductors when the frangiBle means fails releasing the connectors between the cable assembly and the towing vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |