Marine vibrators and marine vibrator systems are provided herein having one or more remotely located components. An exemplary marine vibrator includes at least one electromagnetic transducer, a control -monitoring electronics system, and a frame, where the at least one electromagnetic transducer is at least partially within the frame. The at least one electromagnetic transducer receives alternating current (AC) electrical power from one or more power amplifiers, via at least one umbilical that connects the at least one electromagnetic transducer and the one or more power amplifiers, where the one or more power amplifiers are remotely located from the marine vibrator.
Systems and methods and described herein that can enable accurate forecasting of ship motions and the useful displaying of such forecasts to users. In general, the ship motion forecasting systems and methods provide users with graphical indication of ship motion forecasts in the form of operational period indicators. These operational period indicators are generated such that the ship motion forecasts under at least one motion threshold for a time period exceeding a time threshold are indicated in a first way, while ship motion forecasts not under the at least one motion threshold for the time period exceeding the time threshold are indicated in a second way, different from the first way. This can facilitate the quick determination of operational status by a user and thus allow a user to quickly ascertain when conditions are likely to be such that certain ship operations can be safely performed
Systems and methods and described herein that can enable accurate forecasting of ship motions and the useful displaying of such forecasts to users. In general, the ship motion forecasting systems and methods provide users with graphical indication of ship motion forecasts in the form of operational period indicators. These operational period indicators are generated such that the ship motion forecasts under at least one motion threshold for a time period exceeding a time threshold are indicated in a first way, while ship motion forecasts not under the at least one motion threshold for the time period exceeding the time threshold are indicated in a second way, different from the first way. This can facilitate the quick determination of operational status by a user and thus allow a user to quickly ascertain when conditions are likely to be such that certain ship operations can be safely performed.
B63J 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
B63B 39/14 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude for indicating inclination or duration of roll
Methods are provided to package and deploy a marine vibrator for use in connection with marine seismic surveys. Marine vibrators are provided with a number of buoyancy configurations with corresponding techniques for controlling the submergence depth of the marine vibrators. An exemplary marine vibrator comprises a positively buoyant hydrodynamic tow body, comprising: a low frequency electro-acoustic projector; a power electronics system; a control-monitoring electronics system; and a pressure compensation system, wherein the hydrodynamic tow body comprises one or more active control surfaces to adjust a submergence depth and a roll attitude of the hydrodynamic tow body. Additional embodiments employ a free-flooding, load-bearing frame with positive or negative buoyancy.
G01V 1/38 - SeismologySeismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting specially adapted for water-covered areas
G01V 1/145 - Generating seismic energy using mechanical driving means by deforming or displacing surfaces
G01V 1/135 - Generating seismic energy using fluidic driving means, e.g. using highly pressurised fluids by deforming or displacing surfaces of enclosures
5.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WAVE SENSING AND SHIP MOTION FORECASTING USING MULTIPLE RADARS
Ship motion forecasting systems and methods are described herein that can enable accurate real-time forecasting of ocean waves and resultant ship motions. Such systems and methods can be used to improve the efficiency and safety of a variety of ship operations, including the moving of cargo between ships at sea. In general, the systems and methods transmit radar signals from multiple radars, and those radar signals from the multiple radars are reflected off the surface of a body of water. The reflected radar signals are received, and radar data is generated from the received radar signals. The radar data is used to generate ocean wave components, which represent the amplitude and phase of a multitude of individual waves that together can describe the surface of the ocean. These ocean wave components are then used generate ship motion forecasts, which can then be presented to one or more users.
G01S 13/60 - Velocity or trajectory determination systemsSense-of-movement determination systems wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G01S 7/24 - Cathode-ray tube displays the display being orientated or displaced in accordance with movement of object carrying the transmitting and receiving apparatus, e.g. true-motion radar
B63B 39/14 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude for indicating inclination or duration of roll
G01S 13/86 - Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
6.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WAVE SENSING AND SHIP MOTION FORECASTING WITH SCROLLING FORECAST DISPLAYS
Systems and methods for ship motion forecasting are described herein. These ship motion forecasting systems can enable accurate real-time forecasting of waves and resultant vessel motions, and the useful displaying of such forecasts to users. In general, the ship motion forecasting systems and methods provide users with useful indications of ship motion forecasts by generating scrolling graphical representations of the ship motion forecasts. For example, the systems can be implemented to display on a first window portion a plurality of graphical representations of ship motion forecasts generated over a plurality of forecast cycles, where the graphical representations of new ship motion forecasts are added as generated, and where the graphical representations of previously generated ship motion forecasts are scrolled as new ship motion forecasts are added.
B63B 39/14 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude for indicating inclination or duration of roll
G01S 13/86 - Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
G01S 13/60 - Velocity or trajectory determination systemsSense-of-movement determination systems wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
G01S 7/24 - Cathode-ray tube displays the display being orientated or displaced in accordance with movement of object carrying the transmitting and receiving apparatus, e.g. true-motion radar
Systems and methods for ship motion forecasting are described herein. These ship motion forecasting systems can enable accurate real-time forecasting of waves and resultant vessel motions, and the useful displaying of such forecasts to users. In general, the ship motion forecasting systems and methods provide users with useful indications of ship motion forecasts by generating scrolling graphical representations of the ship motion forecasts. For example, the systems can be implemented to display on a first window portion a plurality of graphical representations of ship motion forecasts generated over a plurality of forecast cycles, where the graphical representations of new ship motion forecasts are added as generated, and where the graphical representations of previously generated ship motion forecasts are scrolled as new ship motion forecasts are added.
G01S 7/24 - Cathode-ray tube displays the display being orientated or displaced in accordance with movement of object carrying the transmitting and receiving apparatus, e.g. true-motion radar
G01S 13/50 - Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
G01S 13/60 - Velocity or trajectory determination systemsSense-of-movement determination systems wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
G01S 13/86 - Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G01S 13/937 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of marine craft
G01S 13/91 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control
B63B 39/14 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude for indicating inclination or duration of roll
8.
Systems and methods for wave sensing and ship motion forecasting using multiple radars
Ship motion forecasting systems and methods are described herein that can enable accurate real-time forecasting of ocean waves and resultant ship motions. Such systems and methods can be used to improve the efficiency and safety of a variety of ship operations, including the moving of cargo between ships at sea. In general, the systems and methods transmit radar signals from multiple radars, and those radar signals from the multiple radars are reflected off the surface of a body of water. The reflected radar signals are received, and radar data is generated from the received radar signals. The radar data is used to generate ocean wave components, which represent the amplitude and phase of a multitude of individual waves that together can describe the surface of the ocean. These ocean wave components are then used generate ship motion forecasts, which can then be presented to one or more users.
G01S 7/24 - Cathode-ray tube displays the display being orientated or displaced in accordance with movement of object carrying the transmitting and receiving apparatus, e.g. true-motion radar
G01S 13/937 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of marine craft
G01S 13/60 - Velocity or trajectory determination systemsSense-of-movement determination systems wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
G01S 13/86 - Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G01S 13/91 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control
G01S 13/50 - Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
B63B 39/14 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude for indicating inclination or duration of roll
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systemsAnalogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
Methods are provided to package and deploy a marine vibrator for use in connection with marine seismic surveys. Marine vibrators are provided with a number of buoyancy configurations with corresponding techniques for controlling the submergence depth of the marine vibrators. An exemplary marine vibrator comprises a positively buoyant hydrodynamic tow body, comprising: a low frequency electro-acoustic projector; a power electronics system; a control-monitoring electronics system; and a pressure compensation system, wherein the hydrodynamic tow body comprises one or more active control surfaces to adjust a submergence depth and a roll attitude of the hydrodynamic tow body. Additional embodiments employ a free-flooding, load-bearing frame with positive or negative buoyancy.
A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An exemplary underwater sound projector comprises a plurality of pistons actuated by an electromagnetic force generator having components comprising a stator, armatures, electrical coils, and permanent magnets. The pistons and the components are arranged to create mechanical and magnetic symmetry about a geometric center of the projector to reduce reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The stator and the armatures have magnetic poles that employ a tapered geometry. The projector optionally includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and/or change the depth and roll when the projector is configured as a tow body. A plurality of such projectors can be configured in an array. An umbilical can connect the projectors to a vessel, transmit electrical power and compressed gas to each array element and/or provide a data transmission medium between the projector and the vessel.
A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An exemplary underwater sound projector comprises a plurality of pistons actuated by an electromagnetic force generator having components comprising a stator, armatures, electrical coils, and permanent magnets. The pistons and the components are arranged to create mechanical and magnetic symmetry about a geometric center of the projector to reduce reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The stator and the armatures have magnetic poles that employ a tapered geometry. The projector optionally includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and/or change the depth and roll when the projector is configured as a tow body. A plurality of such projectors can be configured in an array. An umbilical can connect the projectors to a vessel, transmit electrical power and compressed gas to each array element and/or provide a data transmission medium between the projector and the vessel.
A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An exemplary underwater sound projector comprises a plurality of pistons actuated by an electromagnetic force generator having components comprising a stator, armatures, electrical coils, and permanent magnets. The pistons and the components are arranged to create mechanical and magnetic symmetry about a geometric center of the projector to reduce reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The stator and the armatures have magnetic poles that employ a tapered geometry. The projector optionally includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and/or change the depth and roll when the projector is configured as a tow body. A plurality of such projectors can be configured in an array. An umbilical can connect the projectors to a vessel, transmit electrical power and compressed gas to each array element and/or provide a data transmission medium between the projector and the vessel.
A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An underwater sound projector for producing time-harmonic waveforms comprises two pistons positioned on either side of an electro-magnetic force generator substantially having mechanical and magnetic symmetry about its geometric center thereby creating a virtual node to substantially cancel reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The underwater sound projector optionally also includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and change the depth and roll when it is configured as tow body. A plurality of underwater sound projectors can be configured in an array. A load-bearing umbilical can connect the underwater sound projectors to a ship, transmit electrical power to each array element and serve as a duplex data transmission medium to route commands from the ship to the projector and report machinery status to the ship.
A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An underwater sound projector for producing time-harmonic waveforms comprises two pistons positioned on either side of a single electro-magnetic force generator substantially having mechanical and magnetic symmetry about its geometric center to substantially cancel reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The underwater sound projector optionally also includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and change the depth and roll when it is configured as tow body. A plurality of underwater sound projectors can be configured in an array. A load-bearing umbilical can connect the underwater sound projectors to a ship, transmit electrical power to each array element and serve as a duplex data transmission medium to route commands from the ship to the projector and report machinery status.
Low cost miniature vector sensors are provided. An acoustic vector sensor is provided that comprises at least one accelerometer to measure at least one component of acoustic particle acceleration, wherein the at least one accelerometer has a resonant frequency within a measurement band of the acoustic vector sensor. In addition, a method is disclosed for measuring an acoustic signal. The method comprises the steps of configuring an array of acoustic vector sensors comprised of at least one accelerometer to measure at least one component of acoustic particle acceleration; operating the at least one accelerometer at a resonant frequency within a measurement band of the acoustic vector sensor; and generating a voltage using one or more of the acoustic vector sensors representative of the acoustic signal as the acoustic signal propagates past the array. The voltage optionally indicates a bearing of the acoustic signal.
G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
G01V 1/18 - Receiving elements, e.g. seismometer, geophone
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