초록 ▼

A method and apparatus is disclosed for performing a seismic survey below the surface of a body of water and on the seabed. In one embodiment, a plurality of seismic data receivers are removably loaded in a carrier located above the surface of the water and the carrier is lowered into the water and

A method and apparatus is disclosed for performing a seismic survey below the surface of a body of water and on the seabed. In one embodiment, a plurality of seismic data receivers are removably loaded in a carrier located above the surface of the water and the carrier is lowered into the water and placed at a depth relatively close to the seabed. Each of the receivers has a memory for recording the vibrations of the seabed and has a switch for activating the memory. A ROV is used to unload the receivers from the carrier and to deposit each receiver on the seabed and along a survey line. In one embodiment, the receivers comprise a frame, a pressure vessel for housing the memory and remotely activated controls, and a geophone that is separately planted into the seabed at a relatively short distance from the frame.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of seismic exploration, comprising the steps of:(a) loading a plurality of seismic data receivers in a carrier located on a ship floating on the surface of a body of water, each carrier comprising a plurality of compartments that are adapted to removably hold said seismic data receivers,

1. A method of seismic exploration, comprising the steps of:(a) loading a plurality of seismic data receivers in a carrier located on a ship floating on the surface of a body of water, each carrier comprising a plurality of compartments that are adapted to removably hold said seismic data receivers, each of said receivers having a seismic sensor, having a memory for recording compression and shear waves emanating from the seabed, and having a switch for activating said memory;(b) lowering said carrier into the water and to a depth near the seabed by using a crane on said ship;(c) using a ROV located in the water and tethered to said ship to unload said data receivers from said carrier, to deposit each on the seabed, and to position said sensor along a survey line; and(d) remotely operating said switches to activate said memories and begin recording the response of the seabed to sound injected into the water from a vessel floating in or on said body of water.2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receivers comprise:(a) a frame having means for removably coupling to said ROV; and(b) plate means for helping said frame from sinking into said seabed.3. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:(e) using said ROV to move said data receivers from the seabed to said carrier; and(f) using said crane to lift said carrier from the water.4. The method of claim 3, wherein each compartment has a pin that fits in an aperture in a receiver, and where said pin moves in and out of said aperture in response to contact with said ROV.5. Ocean bottom survey apparatus, comprising:(a) a carrier comprising at least eight of generally open compartments that are arranged side-by-side and back-to-back on two levels;(b) a frame adapted to be removable inserted in one of said compartments;(c) at least one pressure vessel carried by said frame, said vessel comprising two mating units and a seal between said units for forming a water-tight joint between the interior and the exterior of said vessel at least to a depth of 4000 feet;(d) a plurality of batteries located within the interior of said vessel;(e) a seismic sensor of shear waves and compression waves that is adapted to be in acoustic communication with the seabed and electrically connected to a memory;(f) a switch that operatively connects said memory to said batteries;(g) a control module carried by said frame for operating said switch in response to a signal transmitted into the water; and(h) a coupling carried by said frame and adapted to be removably connected to an arm extending from an ROV.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said vessel comprises two hollow hemispheres.7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said carrier has a front side and a back side back, and each side comprises two rows of compartments and two columns of compartments.8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said pressure vessel is generally in the shape of a cylinder.9. The apparatus of claim 5, further including means carried by said carrier for removably locking a frame in each compartment.