Sensor node attachment mechanism and cable retrieval system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11313985-B2
Application number	US-201916436874-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2019
Priority date	Jun 8, 2018
Publication date	Apr 26, 2022
Grant date	Apr 26, 2022

Abstract

An attachment system for releasably attaching a sensor node to a cable when in a coupled state includes a clamp base and a clamp grip. The clamp base is fixed to a surface of the sensor node. The clamp base further includes a latch that is biased in a latched position when the attachment system is in both the coupled state and an uncoupled state. The clamp grip is pivotably attached the clamp base and biased in an open position when the attachment system is in the uncoupled state. The clamp grip is secured to the clamp base by the latch when the attachment system is in the coupled state.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment system for releasably attaching a sensor node to a cable, the attachment system comprising:
a clamp base fixed to a surface of the sensor node, wherein the clamp base further comprises a latch that is biased in a same position when the attachment system is in both a coupled state and an uncoupled state; and
a clamp grip pivotably attached to the clamp base and biased in an open position when the attachment system is in the uncoupled state,
wherein the clamp grip is secured to the clamp base by the latch when the attachment system is in the coupled state.

2. The attachment system of claim 1 , further comprising a channel disposed between the clamp base and the clamp grip within which the cable is positioned when the attachment system is attached to the cable.

3. The attachment system of claim 2 , wherein a first portion of the channel is defined within the clamp grip and a second portion of the channel is defined within the clamp base.

4. The attachment system of claim 3 , wherein a plurality of raised ribs extend from a surface of the first portion of the channel, a surface of the second portion of the channel, or both.

5. The attachment system of claim 1 , wherein
the clamp base further comprises a first set of hinge knuckles formed thereon;
the clamp grip further comprises a second set of hinge knuckles formed thereon and configured to pivotably interface with the first set of hinge knuckles; and
a hinged pin is positioned between and within the first and second sets of hinge knuckles to form a hinged attachment between the clamp base and the clamp grip.

6. The attachment system of claim 1 , wherein the clamp grip further comprises a plurality of latch fingers which are secured to the clamp base by the latch when the attachment system is in the coupled state.

7. The attachment system of claim 6 , wherein
the latch further comprises a latch pin with a plurality of latch plates separated by a plurality of keyways, wherein
the latch fingers are configured to fit within the keyways when the latch is forced into an open position by a first external force and further when the clamp grip is forced into a closed position by a second external force when the attachment system is in the uncoupled state; and
the latch fingers are retained within the latch by the latch plates to maintain the clamp grip in the closed position when the first and second external forces are removed such that the latch returns to the same position.

8. A seismic sensor node apparatus comprising:
a cable configured for deployment to a seismic medium; and
a plurality of seismic sensor nodes coupled to the cable, wherein each sensor node comprises
a seismic sensor disposed within a housing and configured to generate signals responsive to seismic energy propagating in the seismic medium; and
a coupling mechanism fixed to an exterior of the housing for removably coupling the housing to the cable, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises
a clamp configured to grip the cable in a coupled state and biased in an open position in an uncoupled state; and
a latch configured to secure the clamp in the coupled state and is biased in a same position both when the clamp is secured in the coupled couple state and when the clamp is biased in the open position in the uncoupled state.

9. The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a channel disposed within the coupling mechanism within which the cable is positioned when the coupling mechanism is attached to the cable.

10. The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the channel is defined within a first portion of the clamp and a second portion of the channel is defined within a second portion of the clamp.

11. The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 10 , wherein a plurality of raised ribs extend from a surface of the first portion of the channel, a surface of the second portion of the channel, or both.

12. The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the clamp further comprises
a first set of hinge knuckles formed in a first portion of the clamp;
a second set of hinge knuckles formed in a second portion of the clamp and configured to pivotably interface with the first set of hinge knuckles; and
a hinge pin positioned between and within the first and second sets of hinge knuckles to form a hinged attachment between the first portion of the clamp and the second portion of the clamp.

13. The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the clamp further comprises a plurality of latch fingers which are secured to the first portion of the clamp by the latch when the coupling mechanism is in the coupled state.

14. The seismic sensor node apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the latch further comprises a latch pin defining a plurality of latch plates separated by a plurality of keyways;
the latch fingers are configured to fit within the keyways when the latch is forced into an open position by a first external force and further when the clamp is forced into a closed position by a second external force when the coupling mechanism is in the uncoupled state; and
the latch fingers are retained within the latch by the latch plates to maintain the clamp in the closed position when the first and second external forces are removed such that the latch returns to the same position.

Assignees

• Ion Geophysical Corp

Inventors

• Dudley Timothy A
• Burch Darrell
• Brettwood Paul

Classifications

• G01V1/3843 Primary

  Deployment of seismic devices, e.g. of streamers (equipment for marine deployment in general B63B) · CPC title

• G01V1/3852

  to the seabed · CPC title

• H02G1/10

  in or under water · CPC title

• G01V1/201 Primary

  Constructional details of seismic cables, e.g. streamers (integrated optoseismic systems G01V1/226; line connectors in general H01R, transducer mountings in general G10K11/004) · CPC title

• G01V1/20

  Arrangements of receiving elements, e.g. geophone pattern · CPC title