There is described an apparatus and method for deploying a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors (5) joined together by connection cables (6) in one or more “chains”, and connected to an input/output device (8). An input/output connection unit (7, 15) is provided on a carrier (10), and the
There is described an apparatus and method for deploying a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors (5) joined together by connection cables (6) in one or more “chains”, and connected to an input/output device (8). An input/output connection unit (7, 15) is provided on a carrier (10), and the sensors are held on or in deployment devices (14a-14e) mounted to the carrier with their connection cables (6) connected to the input/output connection unit (7, 15). The input/output device (8) may also be mounted to the carrier, and connected to the connection unit (7, 15). The carrier (10), sensors, and input/output device (8) may be delivered as a single package to the area where the sensor array is to be deployed. The sensors are then moved from the carrier to their final positions. The deployment devices (14a-14e) may be detached from the carrier and moved sequentially to the sensor positions, and a sensor may be removed from the deployment device at each sensor position.
대표청구항▼
1. A method of deploying a seabed seismic sensor array over an area of seabed to be investigated, the method comprising: lowering to the seabed a deployment package comprising: a frame;a connection hub mounted to the frame;an inputoutput riser cable having one free end and one end connected to the c
1. A method of deploying a seabed seismic sensor array over an area of seabed to be investigated, the method comprising: lowering to the seabed a deployment package comprising: a frame;a connection hub mounted to the frame;an inputoutput riser cable having one free end and one end connected to the connection hub; anda number of cartridges detachably mounted to the frame, each cartridge containing a plurality of sensor units joined together in a chain by connecting cables, and one end of each chain being connected to the inputoutput riser cable at the connection hub; anddeploying the sensor units over the area of seabed, by: detaching the cartridge from the frame;sequentially moving the cartridge to a plurality of sensor operating positions in the area of seabed; andat each respective sensor operating position, ejecting a respective one of the sensor units from the cartridge;wherein each sensor unit comprises: a housing enclosing a number of sensors;an internal cavity within the housing; anda connecting cable within the cavity;wherein while the cartridge is being moved between sensor operating positions, the connecting cable moves out of the cavity of one of a last-deployed sensor unit and a next sensor unit to be deployed. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting cable within the cavity of each sensor unit is wound on a respective spool, and wherein while the cartridge is being moved between sensor operating positions, the connecting cable is paid out from the spool of the next sensor unit to be deployed. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the spool of the next sensor unit to be deployed is driven in rotation to pay the connecting cable out of that sensor unit while the cartridge is being moved between sensor operating positions. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting cable within the cavity of each sensor unit: is flaked down within the cavity, and wherein while the cartridge is being moved between sensor operating positions, the connecting cable is pulled out of the cavity of one of the last-deployed sensor unit and the next sensor unit to be deployed. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein respective formations on two adjacent sensor units within a cartridge are co-operable to define a cavity adapted to enclose the connecting cable joining the two adjacent sensor units. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting cables are fiber optic cables. 7. A deployment package for deploying a seabed seismic sensor array, the deployment package comprising: a frame adapted to be lowered to a seabed location;a connection hub mounted to the frame;an input/output riser cable having one free end and one end connected to the connection hub; anda number of cartridges detachably mounted to the frame, each cartridge containing a plurality of sensor units mounted for sequential ejection from the cartridge, wherein each sensor unit comprises: a housing enclosing a number of sensors;an internal cavity within the housing, anda connecting cable within the cavity;wherein the sensor units are joined together in a chain by the connecting cables, and one end of each chain is connected to the input/output riser cable at the connection hub. 8. The deployment package of claim 7, wherein the connecting cable is wound on a spool. 9. The deployment package of claim 7, wherein the connecting cable is flaked down in the cavity, so that by pulling an end of the connecting cable, the connecting cable may be drawn out of the cavity. 10. The deployment package of claim 7, wherein respective formations on two adjacent sensor units within a cartridge are co-operable to define a cavity adapted to enclose the connecting cable joining the two adjacent sensor units. 11. The deployment package of claim 7, wherein the connecting cables are fiber optic cables. 12. The deployment package of claim 7, wherein the cartridge includes an ejection tool for sequentially engaging the sensor units and sequentially removing the sensor units from the cartridge. 13. The deployment package of claim 7, wherein the cartridge is configured to be mounted to a submarine vehicle. 14. A sensor unit for a deployment package used in deploying a seabed seismic sensor array, the sensor unit comprising: a housing enclosing a number of seismic sensors;a cavity within the housing for removably receiving a length of connecting cable;a first connector that connects a first end of the cable to the sensors; anda second connector that connects the first end of the cable to a second end of a connecting cable of another sensor unit. 15. The sensor unit of claim 14, wherein the connecting cable is wound on a spool mounted within the cavity. 16. The sensor unit of claim 15, wherein the spool is provided with a driving mechanism engagable from outside the housing to rotate the spool. 17. The sensor unit of claim 14, wherein the connecting cable is received in the cavity as a coil, or flaked down in a serpentine or figure-8 configuration, and is configured to be drawn out of the cavity by tension applied to the second end of the cable. 18. A cartridge for a deployment package used in deploying a seabed seismic sensor array, the cartridge adapted to be releasably mounted to the deployment package, the cartridge configured to contain a plurality of seismic sensor units according to claim 14 mounted for sequential ejection from the cartridge, the cartridge comprising an urging mechanism to move the seismic sensor units so as to sequentially present the sensor units at an ejection position in the cartridge. 19. The cartridge of claim 18, further comprising an ejection tool mounted to the cartridge and co-operable with a sensor unit at the ejection position to eject the sensor unit from the cartridge. 20. A cartridge for a deployment package used in deploying a seabed seismic sensor array, the cartridge adapted to be releasably mounted to the deployment package, the cartridge configured to contain a plurality of seismic sensor units according to claim 14 mounted for sequential ejection from the cartridge, the cartridge comprising a mechanism that holds the plurality of sensor units in fixed positions within the cartridge, each sensor unit being ejectable from the cartridge from its fixed position. 21. The cartridge of claim 20, further comprising an ejection tool mounted for movement relative to the cartridge and sequentially co-operable with the sensor units to eject the sensor units from the cartridge.
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