Patent US3126068A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4716553A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4716553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Float for use in seismic surveys of the sea bed
Assignee: Westerngeco AS
•
Filing: 1984-12-24
•
Granted: 1987-12-29
•
Expires: 2004-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A float for use in seismic surveys of the sea bed supports a plurality of seismic pulse transmitters (6) which are suspended on lines (7) beneath the float (1). At a distance from the front end of the float (1), on one sidewall thereof, a fastening device for a towing cable and a lead-in for control lines and lines for supplying operating medium to the pulse transmitters are provided. These lines and cables are gathered in a common line (3) which extends behind the tow ship. The line (3), at a distance away from the float (1), is connected to a line (4) which leads to a length-regulating device (12) inside the front section of the float. The float is also provided with at least one motor (10) with a drive shaft (9) leading to hoisting drums (8) for the lines (7) to the respective seismic pulse transmitters (6). Both the motors (10, 12) and the seismic pulse transmitters (6) are connected to the pneumatic supply line. The control lines lead to control devices at the separate components, permitting active steering of the system from on board the ship.
Inventors
- 👤 Inge Dragsund
- 👤 Einar Gjestrum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/38; G01V1/3861; B; B63; B63G; B63G8/00; B63G8/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
317 words
In a float for use in seismic surveys of the sea bed wherein an elongated float connected to a towing cable from a vessel for towing the float has at least one shaft rotatably mounted thereon, at least one seismic pulse transmitter suspension and hoisting drum on said shaft, a suspension line member on said at least one suspension and hoisting drum, a seismic pulse transmitter suspended on said suspension line, and drive means for rotating said at least one shaft and suspension and hoisting drum for raising and lowering said at least one seismic pulse transmitter with respect to said float, the improvement comprising: an attachment means for the towing cable on said float; at least one utility line extending from the vessel to the float for conducting power means for controlling operation of said at least one seismic pulse transmitter and drive means, the power means being operatively connected to said at least one seismic pulse transmitter and drive means; said at least one seismic pulse transmitter being pneumatically driven; said drive means being at least one pneumatically driven motor; a steering control line engaging near one end thereof with the float at a position spaced from said towing cable attachment means and having the other end connected to said towing cable at a position spaced from said towing cable attachment means; and pneumatically driven motor means mounted on said float and connected to said one end of said steering control line for adjusting the length of said steering control line to guide and control the position of the float so that varying the length of said steering control line varies the lateral deviation of the course of the float as it is towed from the longitudinal course of the vessel; said power means of said at least one utility line being operatively connected to said length adjustment means for operating said length adjustment means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
317 words
In a float for use in seismic surveys of the sea bed wherein an elongated float connected to a towing cable from a vessel for towing the float has at least one shaft rotatably mounted thereon, at least one seismic pulse transmitter suspension and hoisting drum on said shaft, a suspension line member on said at least one suspension and hoisting drum, a seismic pulse transmitter suspended on said suspension line, and drive means for rotating said at least one shaft and suspension and hoisting drum for raising and lowering said at least one seismic pulse transmitter with respect to said float, the improvement comprising: an attachment means for the towing cable on said float; at least one utility line extending from the vessel to the float for conducting power means for controlling operation of said at least one seismic pulse transmitter and drive means, the power means being operatively connected to said at least one seismic pulse transmitter and drive means; said at least one seismic pulse transmitter being pneumatically driven; said drive means being at least one pneumatically driven motor; a steering control line engaging near one end thereof with the float at a position spaced from said towing cable attachment means and having the other end connected to said towing cable at a position spaced from said towing cable attachment means; and pneumatically driven motor means mounted on said float and connected to said one end of said steering control line for adjusting the length of said steering control line to guide and control the position of the float so that varying the length of said steering control line varies the lateral deviation of the course of the float as it is towed from the longitudinal course of the vessel; said power means of said at least one utility line being operatively connected to said length adjustment means for operating said length adjustment means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A float as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said length adjustment means comprises a control line drum rotatably mounted on said float and engaging with said steering control line so that said steering control line is wound on or unwound from said control line drum by rotation of said control line drum; and said pneumatically driven motor means for adjusting the length of said steering control line is operatively connected to said control line drum for rotating said control line drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
A float as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said at least one shaft comprises a plurality of separate shafts; said at least one seismic pulse transmitter suspension and hoisting drum comprises at least one separate drum on each separate shaft within the float, a suspension line being provided on each separate drum and a seismic pulse transmitter being provided on each suspension line; and said at least one pneumatically driven motor comprises a separate pneumatically driven motor for each separate shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A float as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said at least one utility line extends outwardly from the stern of the float for connection to said at least one seismic pulse transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A float as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: watertight compartments in said float, said at least one pneumatically driven motor and said pneumatically driven motor means for adjusting the length of said steering control line being disposed in said watertight compartments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A float as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: an auxiliary line having one end detachably connected to said utility line externally of the float; and a regulating means operatively connected to said pneumatically driven motor means for adjusting the length of said steering control line and to the other end of said auxiliary line so that said pneumatically driven motor means regulates the length of said auxiliary line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A float as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: an auxiliary rudder operatively mounted on the stern of said float; and means for operating said auxiliary rudder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A float as claimed in claim 1 wherein: steering guide means is mounted on said float; and said steering control line passes through said steering guide means so that said steering guide means comprises the position on the float at which the force of said steering control line is exerted for steering the float.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A float as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said towing cable attachment means is mounted approximately at the middle of the float; and said steering guide means is mounted near the front of said float.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A float as claimed in claim 9 wherein: said steering guide means comprises a roller assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
A float as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said length adjustment means comprises a control line drum rotatably mounted on said float and engaging with said steering control line so that said steering control line is wound on or unwound from said control line drum by rotation of said control line drum; and said pneumatically driven motor means for adjusting the length of said steering control line is operatively connected to said control line drum for rotating said control line drum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A float as claimed in claim 11 and further comprising: first measuring means for measuring the length of the suspension line wound on said suspension and hoisting drum; and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A float as claimed in claim 12 and further comprising: an auxiliary rudder operatively mounted on the stern of said float; and means for operating said auxiliary rudder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3309652A
Cited
US3611977A
Cited
US3718207A
Cited
US3805730A
Cited
US4080921A
Cited
US4200052A
Cited
US4506352A
Cited
US4552086A
Cited
US4436049A
Cited
US4455961A
Cited
US4480574A
Cited
SU1087413A1
Cited
US4570245A
Cited
US4581723A
Cited
US4516517A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-28 | 1991-06-29 | 1991-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-28 | 1995-06-29 | 1995-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-28 | 1999-06-29 | 1999-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |