Reduced-drag towing of geophysical equipment

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9250345
APP PUB NO 20140269176A1
SERIAL NO

13831503

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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Techniques are disclosed relating to reducing drag on cables towed behind a vessel in a body of water. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a signal source coupled to a survey vessel via a source cable, and the source cable includes a plurality of floats along its length. The floats may in some embodiments allow the source cable to be lifted partially, substantially, or entirely above the surface of the water. Lifting the cable above the surface of the water may in turn decrease the amount of hydrodynamic drag on the cable, reducing the force necessary (e.g., from lateral deflectors on the cable or at the signal source) to tow the source and/or the force necessary to attain a desired lateral position for the signal source. The disclosed techniques may in some embodiments be used to tow such sources at relatively wide lateral separations.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

  • PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS

International Classification(s)

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  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Mattsson, Anders Goran Singapore, SG 5 25

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