초록 ▼

A sensor arrangement is provided for use in the seismic investigation of geological formations below the seabed. A plurality of sensor nodes (20) are provided and are positioned gfor deployment on the seabed to collect pressure waves and shear waves from the geological formations and to transfer sei

A sensor arrangement is provided for use in the seismic investigation of geological formations below the seabed. A plurality of sensor nodes (20) are provided and are positioned gfor deployment on the seabed to collect pressure waves and shear waves from the geological formations and to transfer seismic data to a surface receiver. Each sensor node (20) may include a cylindrical structure (22), which is intended to penetrate downwardly into the seabed. At least one, preferably three, geophones (30-32) are positioned in connection with this structure (22). An advantageous method for operating a seismic mapping system with sensor arrangements orderly deployed on the seabed records data concerning system behavior and seismic data. This data may be further processed separately.

대표청구항 ▼

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: 1. A sensor arrangement for use in seismic investigation of geological formations below the seabed comprising: a plurality of sensor nodes (20), which are positioned for deployment on the seabed to acquire pressure waves and shear waves from t

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: 1. A sensor arrangement for use in seismic investigation of geological formations below the seabed comprising: a plurality of sensor nodes (20), which are positioned for deployment on the seabed to acquire pressure waves and shear waves from the geological formations and to transfer seismic data to a surface receiver, wherein each sensor node (20): (a) comprises a substantially cylindrical skirt (22) having a bottom with an opening, the bottom adapted to penetrate into the seabed; (b) comprises a housing (27) that encloses at least a first geophone (30) and that is positioned at the top of the cylindrical skirt (22); and, (c) is connected to a control unit (11) through an acoustic insulated cable (21), wherein the cable (21) is received into the sensor node (20) through an outlet formed in the upper part of the skirt (22), wherein the outlet discharges sediment when the sensor node is deployed. 2. A sensor arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an open cage (37) that encloses at least a first hydrophone (38) and is positioned above the housing (27). 3. A sensor arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a grip (40) that is fixed at the top for use with a ROV ROT. 4. A sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each cylindrical skirt is manufactured of aluminum. 5. A sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a hydrophone (38) is placed about 10 cm above the geophone (30). 6. A sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the housing (27) encloses three geophones (30-32) that are positioned with a 90�� angle in relation to each other, and a tiltmeter. 7. A sensor arrangement for use in seismic investigation of geological formations below the seabed comprising: a plurality of sensor nodes (20) that are positioned for deployment on the seabed to acquire pressure waves and shear waves from the geological formations and to transfer seismic data to a surface receiver, each sensor node (20) comprises: (a) a substantially cylindrical skirt (22) having a top and a bottom, the bottom has an opening and penetrates into the seabed, the skirt also has a pair of outlets (24, 25) that discharge sediment when the sensor node is deployed; (b) a plate (23) attached to the top of the skirt (22); (c) a geophone housing (27) for holding at least a first geophone (30), the geophone housing (27) extends below the plate (23) and into the opening in the skirt (22) and comprises an upper portion (28) attached to the plate (23); (d) a hydrophone cage (37) for holding a hydrophone (38), the hydrophone cage (37) is positioned above the plate (23) and comprises a cover (29) that attaches to the upper portion (28) of the geophone housing (27) and a plurality of poles (36) extending upward from the cover (29); (e) a grip (40) that is gripped by a gripping tool on a ROV, the grip is attached to a plate (39) that is attached to tops of the poles (36); (f) an acoustic insulated cable (21) having a first end connected to an associated control unit (11) and a second end connected to the geophone housing (27) below the plate (23), the cable is received through one of the outlets (24, 25). 8. A sensor arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the geophone housing (27) encloses three geophones (30-32) that are positioned with a 90�� angle in relation to each other, and a tiltmeter. 9. A sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the geophone housing (27) further comprises a coupling card (33). 10. A sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the geophone housing (27) further comprises an attachment plate (34) that attaches to a cable connection (35) of the cable (21). 11. A sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the geophone housing (27) is substantially cylindrical and the upper portion (28) of the geophone housing (27) comprises a flange. 12. A sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the cylindrical skirt is manufactured of aluminum. 13. A sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the hydrophone (38) is positioned about 10 cm above at least one of the geophones (30-32). 14. A sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the bottom of the skirt (22) comprises teeth to achieve better contact with the seabed sediments.