Conveyance system and method for underwater seismic exploration
The present disclosure is directed to a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include a case having a cylindrical portion. A cap is positioned adjacent to a first end of the case. A conveyor having a helix structure is provided within the case. The conveyor can receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the conveyer and transport the OBS unit via the helix structure to a second end of the conveyor to provide the OBS unit on the seabed to acquire the seismic data. The system can include a propulsion system to receive an instruction and, responsive to the instruction, facilitate movement of the case.
1. A system to acquire seismic data from a seabed, comprising:
a case;
a cap positioned adjacent to a first end of the case;
a first fin extending from the cap;
a second fin extending from the cap, the first fin separated from the second fin by a predetermined angle to control rotation of the case through an aqueous medium;
a first conveyor having a first helix structure and provided within the case to receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the first conveyor and transport the OBS unit via the first helix structure to a second end of the first conveyor to provide the OBS unit on the seabed to acquire the seismic data, a first distance between the first end of the first conveyor and the cap less than a second distance between the second end of the first conveyor and the cap, the OBS unit comprising a geophone;
a support structure extending through a central axis of the first helix structure of the first conveyor and configured to support the first conveyor, the support structure comprising a pole at a center of the first helix structure, the pole comprising grooves configured to couple with the first conveyor; and
a propulsion system comprising a propeller, the propulsion system to receive an instruction and, responsive to the instruction, facilitate movement of the case.
2. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a control unit having one or more processors to provide the instruction to the propulsion system.
3. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a control unit, remote from the case, to transmit a wired or wireless transmission comprising the instruction to the propulsion system.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instruction comprises an instruction to follow an object moving through an aqueous medium.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises:
an energy source to provide energy; and
an engine to convert the provided energy to mechanical energy to push surrounding water away from the case in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the case.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises:
a means to generate force to push surrounding water away from the case in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the case.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises at least one of:
a thruster;
a paddle;
an oar;
a waterwheel;
a screw propeller;
a fixed pitch propeller;
a variable pitch propeller;
a ducted propeller;
an azimuth propeller;
a water jet;
a fan; or
a pump.
8. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a steering device to control a direction of the movement of the case.
9. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a second conveyor having a second helix structure provided within the case, the second conveyor configured to support a second one or more OBS units.
10. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a plurality of conveyors provided within the case; and
the support structure configured to support the plurality of conveyors.
11. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
the support structure configured to extend through a central axis of a second helix structure of a second conveyor provided within the case.
12. A method of delivering a payload towards an ocean bottom, comprising:
providing a case;
providing a cap positioned adjacent to a first end of the case;
providing a first fin extending from the cap;
providing a second fin extending from at least one of the cap or the case, the first fin separated from the second fin by a predetermined angle to control rotation of the case through an aqueous medium;
providing a first conveyor having a first helix structure and provided within the case to receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the first conveyor and transport the OBS unit via the first helix structure to a second end of the first conveyor to provide the OBS unit on a seabed to acquire seismic data, a first distance between the first end of the first conveyor and the cap less than a second distance between the second end of the first conveyor and the cap, the OBS unit comprising a geophone;
providing a support structure that extends through a central axis of the first helix structure of the first conveyor and that supports the first conveyor, the support structure comprising a pole at a center of the first helix structure, the pole comprising grooves configured to couple with the first conveyor;
receiving, by a propulsion system of the case, an instruction to move the case, the propulsion system including a propeller; and
moving, by the propulsion system responsive to the instruction, the case.
13. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
providing, by a control unit having one or more processors, the instruction to the propulsion system.
14. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
transmitting, by a control unit remote from the case, a wired or wireless transmission comprising the instruction to the propulsion system.
15. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
providing the instruction comprising an instruction to follow an object moving through an aqueous medium.
16. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
providing an energy source to provide energy; and
converting, by an engine, the provided energy to mechanical energy to push surrounding water away from the case in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the case.
17. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
pushing, by a means to generate force, surrounding water away from the case in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the case.
18. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
providing a plurality of conveyors within the case; and
supporting, by the support structure, the plurality of conveyors.
19. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
providing the support structure to extend through a central axis of a second helix structure of a second conveyor provided within the case.
20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the propulsion system comprises at least one of:
a thruster;
a paddle;
an oar;
a waterwheel;
a screw propeller;
a fixed pitch propeller;
a variable pitch propeller;
a ducted propeller;
an azimuth propeller;
a water jet;
a fan; or
a pump.