Seismic autonomous underwater vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017137098-A1
Application number	US-201615292816-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 13, 2016
Priority date	Oct 16, 2015
Publication date	May 18, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed. In one embodiment, the AUV comprises a buoyant body coupled to a pressure vessel that contains substantially all of the AUV's electronic components. The pressure vessel may comprise a plurality of composite components coupled together by a metallic ring to provide a substantially cylindrical shape to the pressure vessel. The AUV body provides lift to the AUV during lateral movement and compensates for an overall negative buoyancy of the AUV. The AUV may include a plurality of thrusters for propulsion. A vertical thruster may be used to create an upwards attack angle during takeoff and to maintain depth and orientation during flight. During normal flight operations, the AUV is configured to travel horizontally and vertically in a body of water by using only the horizontal thrusters.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals on the ocean bottom during a marine seismic survey, the AUV comprising:
a body that is positively buoyant; a pressure vessel coupled to the buoyant body that houses a plurality of electronic components within the pressure vessel; a propulsion system configured to propel and steer the AUV while travelling underwater; and one or more seismic sensors configured to record seismic signals while the AUV is resting on the bottom of the ocean.

2 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein an exterior portion of the pressure vessel comprises one or more carbon-fiber components.

3 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein the pressure vessel comprises a first end coupled to a second end by a metallic connector.

4 . The AUV of claim 3 , wherein the first and second parts are substantially cylindrical.

5 . The AUV of claim 3 , wherein the first and second ends are substantially non-metallic.

6 . The AUV of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of electronic components external to the pressure vessel and coupled to the electronics components through a hub connector that forms an exterior portion of the pressure vessel.

7 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a plurality of thrusters, wherein at least one of the plurality of thrusters comprises a vertical thruster.

8 . The AUV of claim 7 , wherein the vertical thruster is configured to provide the AUV with a negative vertical force when operated in a first direction and a positive vertical force when operated in a second direction.

9 . The AUV of claim 1 , further comprising one vertical thruster that is configured to provide all vehicle pitch control for the AUV.

10 . The AUV of claim 9 , wherein the vertical thruster is configured to provide lift-off force from the seabed for the AUV for raising at least one end of the AUV from the seabed.

11 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a plurality of thrusters, wherein at least one of the plurality of thrusters is coupled to the pressure vessel by a pressure sealed connector or penetrator.

12 . The AUV of claim 1 , further comprising at least one external electronic device coupled to the pressure vessel, wherein the at least one external electronic device comprises a first flat surface configured to electrically couple with a second flat surface of the pressure vessel for data communications.

13 . The AUV of claim 12 , wherein one or more data connectors is located within a first opening on the first flat surface and a second opening on the second flat surface.

14 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of thrusters are rim driven thrusters.

15 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of thrusters is coupled to a braking system configured to prevent rotation of the thrusters while the AUV is on the seabed when the AUV propulsion system is powered off.

16 . The AUV of claim 1 , further comprising one or more seabed landing legs.

17 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein the buoyant body has a shape that provides lift to the AUV during horizontal movement of the AUV.

18 . The AUV of claim 1 , wherein the AUV has a negative buoyancy at all times in a body of water.

19 . The AUV of claim 1 , further comprising an altimeter located entirely within the pressure vessel.

20 . The AUV of claim 1 , comprising an integrated seismic and AUV control system that is configured to control the one or more seismic sensors and the propulsion system, wherein the control system comprises at least a digital autonomous recorder (DAR).

21 . An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey, the AUV comprising:
a body that is configured to house a plurality of electronic components; a propulsion system comprising a plurality of thrusters configured to propel and steer the AUV while travelling underwater; a seismic payload comprising one or more seismic sensors configured to record seismic signals; and an integrated control system configured to control both the seismic payload and the propulsion system.

22 . The AUV of claim 21 , wherein the integrated control system comprises a digital autonomous recorder (DAR) configured to control the propulsion system.

23 . The AUV of claim 22 , wherein the DAR is coupled to an acoustic guidance system of the AUV.

24 . A method for performing a marine seismic survey, comprising
deploying an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to the bottom of the ocean, wherein the AUV comprises one or more seismic sensors configured to record seismic signals while the AUV is resting on the bottom of the ocean, wherein the AUV comprises at least one vertical thruster and at least one horizontal thruster; recording seismic signals by the one or more seismic sensors; lifting the AUV off of the seabed by the following steps:
activating the at least one vertical thruster on the AUV and
lifting a first end of the AUV off of the seabed solely by using the at least one vertical thruster; and
changing the vertical position of the AUV by using the at least one horizontal thruster.

Assignees

• Seabed Geosolutions Bv

Inventors

• Valsvik Geir
• Rokkan Arne Henning
• Naes Johan Fredrik
• Silvia Matthew E
• Von Alt Christopher J

Classifications

• B63G8/16

  by direct use of propellers or jets · CPC title

• B63B3/13

  Hulls built to withstand hydrostatic pressure when fully submerged, e.g. submarine hulls · CPC title

• G01V1/3808

  Seismic data acquisition, e.g. survey design · CPC title

• B63G2008/004

  autonomously operating · CPC title

• G01V1/3852

  to the seabed · CPC title