US4709356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seismic array positioning
Assignee: ALPHA MARINE SERVICE INTERNATIONAL
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Filing: 1985-11-22
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Granted: 1987-11-24
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Expires: 2005-11-22
Abstract
Abstract The positions of seismic subarrays are determined using special hydrophones in a streamer cable which listen for acoustic signals generated from each seismic subarray.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray R. Ayers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/38; G01V1/3817; G01V1/3835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: providing a first acoustic signal receiving means at least near the marine streamer; providing a second acoustic signal receiving means which is spaced-apart from the first acoustic receiving means by a known distance; providing an acoustic signal sending means at least near the seismic subarray; generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at a known time; receiving and detecting the time of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the first and second acoustic signal receiving means; and calculating the distance of the seismic subarray from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal receiving means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: providing a first acoustic signal receiving means at least near the marine streamer; providing a second acoustic signal receiving means which is spaced-apart from the first acoustic receiving means by a known distance; providing an acoustic signal sending means at least near the seismic subarray; generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at a known time; receiving and detecting the time of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the first and second acoustic signal receiving means; and calculating the distance of the seismic subarray from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal receiving means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second acoustic signal receiving means is at least near the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second acoustic signal receiving means is at least near the marine streamer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the acoustic signal receiving means are hydrophones.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the acoustic signal sending means is a transponder which is triggered by acoustic interrogation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the acoustic signal sending means is a responder which is triggered electrically.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: positioning a first acoustic signal sending means at least near the marine streamer; positioning a second acoustic signal sending means which is spaced-apart form the first acoustic signal sending means by a known distance; positioning an acoustic signal receiving means at least near the seismic subarray; generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at known times; receiving and detecting the times of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the acoustic signal receiving means; and calculating the distance of the seismic subarry from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal sending means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: positioning a first acoustic signal sending means at least near the marine streamer; positioning a second acoustic signal sending means which is spaced-apart form the first acoustic signal sending means by a known distance; positioning an acoustic signal receiving means at least near the seismic subarray; generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at known times; receiving and detecting the times of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the acoustic signal receiving means; and calculating the distance of the seismic subarry from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal sending means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the second acoustic signal sending means is at least near the vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the second acoustic signal sending means is at least near the marine streamer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the acoustic signal receiving means is a hydrophone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the acoustic signal sending means are transponders which are triggered by acoustic interrogation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the acoustic signal sending means are responders which are triggered electrically.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: a first acoustic signal receiving means at least near the marine streamer; a second acoustic signal receiving means which is spaced-apart from the first acoustic signal receiving means by a known distance; an acoustic signal sending means at least near the seismic subarray; means for generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at a known time; means for receiving and detecting the time of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the first and second acoustic signal receiving means; and means for calculating the distance of the seismic subarray from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal receiving means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: a first acoustic signal receiving means at least near the marine streamer; a second acoustic signal receiving means which is spaced-apart from the first acoustic signal receiving means by a known distance; an acoustic signal sending means at least near the seismic subarray; means for generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at a known time; means for receiving and detecting the time of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the first and second acoustic signal receiving means; and means for calculating the distance of the seismic subarray from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal receiving means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second acoustic signal receiving means is at least near the vessel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second acoustic signal receiving means is at least near the marine streamer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the acoustic signal receiving means are hydrophones.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the acoustic signal sending means is a transponder which is triggered by acoustic interrogation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the acoustic signal sending means is a responder which is triggered electrically.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: a first acoustic signal sending means at least near the marine streamer; a second acoustic signal sending means which is spacedapart from the first acoustic signal sending means by a known distance; an acoustic signal receiving means at least near the seismic subarray; means for generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at known times; means for receiving and detecting the times of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the acoustic signal receiving means; and means for calculating the distance of the seismic subarray from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal sending means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for determining the position of a seismic subarray in relation to a marine streamer, both being towed behind the stern of a vessel, comprising: a first acoustic signal sending means at least near the marine streamer; a second acoustic signal sending means which is spacedapart from the first acoustic signal sending means by a known distance; an acoustic signal receiving means at least near the seismic subarray; means for generating acoustic signals from the acoustic signal sending means at known times; means for receiving and detecting the times of receipt of the generated acoustic signals by the acoustic signal receiving means; and means for calculating the distance of the seismic subarray from the marine streamer based on the known distance between the first and second acoustic signal sending means, the known times of sending and receiving acoustic signals, and the rate of travel of sound through water at given conditions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second acoustic signal sending means is at least near the vessel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second acoustic signal sending means is at least near the marine streamer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the acoustic signal receiving means is a hydrophone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the acoustic signal sending means are transponders which are triggered by acoustic interrogation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the acoustic signal sending means are responders which are triggered electrically.
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) | 1990-11-23 | 1991-05-25 | 1991-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-23 | 1995-05-25 | 1995-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-23 | 1999-05-25 | 1999-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |