Node storage, deployment and retrieval system
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for storing, deploying and retrieving a plurality of seismic devices is described. The apparatus includes a ramp device coupled to a portion of a trailing end of a vessel, a cable handling device positioned between the ramp device and a leading end of the vessel to define a cable path across the ramp device, and at least one conveyor system having a first end located adjacent the ramp device and a second end extending toward the leading end of the vessel. A deployment method includes providing nodes from a storage area to a workstation where the nodes may be attached to a cable. A retrieval method includes routing a cable through a workstation to detach nodes from the cable section and transfer the detached nodes to the storage area.
1. A seismic device handling system for a marine vessel, comprising:
a ramp device coupled to a portion of a trailing end of the vessel;
a cable handling device positioned between the ramp device and a leading end of the vessel to define a cable path across the ramp device; and
at least one conveyor system having a first end located adjacent the ramp device and a second end extending toward the leading end of the vessel, the conveyor system comprising:
a plurality of conveyor sections positioned substantially parallel with at least a portion of the cable path each conveyor section comprising a movable surface; and
a staging section positioned between the ramp device and the plurality of conveyor sections to transfer seismic devices to and from the ramp device, at least a portion of the staging section positioned orthogonally to the cable path, wherein each of the plurality of conveyor sections are vertically stacked.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of conveyor sections are positioned end to end.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the staging section comprises a stationary conveyor and an elevating conveyor.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the conveyor sections comprise a movable belt.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the staging section comprises at least two conveyors.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each of the at least two conveyors comprise a movable belt.
7. A seismic device handling system for a marine vessel, comprising:
a ramp device coupled to a portion of a trailing end of the vessel;
a cable handling device positioned between the ramp device and a leading end of the vessel to define a cable path across the ramp device; and
at least one conveyor system having a first end located adjacent the ramp device and a second end extending toward the leading end of the vessel, the conveyor system comprising:
a plurality of conveyor sections positioned substantially parallel with at least a portion of the cable path, each conveyor section comprising a movable surface; and
a staging section positioned between the ramp device and the plurality of conveyor sections to transfer seismic devices to and from the ramp device, at least a portion of the staging section positioned orthogonally to the cable path, wherein the plurality of conveyor sections are vertically stacked and positioned end to end.
8. A method for deploying a plurality of seismic sensor units from a backdeck of a marine vessel, comprising;
providing a length of flexible cable from a cable storage device disposed on the vessel to a cable handling device;
routing the cable to pass adjacent a workstation;
providing seismic sensor units along a conveyor belt system to the workstation;
attaching individual seismic sensor units to the cable as the cable passes the workstation; and
releasing the cable through the cable handling device to a body of water, wherein the attachment comprises attaching a lanyard coupled to the individual seismic sensor units to the cable.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the lanyard is non-conductive.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
coupling a clamp device disposed on the lanyard to the cable.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the cable is flexible.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cable consists essentially of a non-conductive material.
13. A method for retrieving a mainline seismic cable from a sub-surface location, comprising:
retrieving a free-end of the mainline seismic cable from a body of water;
routing the free-end to a cable handler and adjacent a workstation;
pulling the mainline cable across the workstation;
detaching individual seismic sensor units from the mainline cable; and
transferring detached seismic sensor units across a plurality of conveyor devices to a storage location wherein at least one of the conveyor devices is vertically movable.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein each of the conveyor devices comprises a conveyor belt.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the storage location comprises at least one conveyor belt.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the conveyor device includes a stationary conveyor coupled to the workstation at one end and a vertically movable conveyor at another end.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stationary conveyor and the movable conveyor comprises a conveyor belt.