Takeout anchor and protective cover

Details Takeout anchor and protective cover Takeout anchor and protective cover

1999-02-19

2001-09-25

Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)

Electricity: conductors and insulators

With fluids or vacuum

With fluid-condition responsive and/or indicating means

C174S076000, C174S07700S

Reexamination Certificate

active

06294727

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of takeout structures which connect a seismic sensor string to a cable, and particularly to an enclosure for a seismic sensor which simultaneously serves as an anchor for the sensor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To conduct an ocean bottom seismic survey, a cable having a plurality of pairs of electrical conductors is laid out along a survey line and connected at one end to a recording device. At spaced locations along the cable, a “takeout” is provided that enables the leader wire of a string of geophones to be electrically connected to one of the pairs of conductors inside the cable. Each pair of conductors and the phones connected to it form a data channel so that acoustic waves that are reflected upward from underground geologic structures are recorded on that channel. Once a set a data has been captured and recorded along the survey line, the cable is commonly dragged to the next survey line in preparation for another set of data. The cable may also be retrieved and redeployed in a new location to acquire another set of data.
In dragging or redeploying the cable from one survey line to the next, the seismic sensor package is commonly subjected to a number of potentially damaging obstacles on the ocean floor. In the past, the sensor, takeout, and the region of the cable in close proximity to them have been wrapped in heavy tape, and sometimes enclosed in a shrink-wrap plastic to minimize this damage. Unfortunately, this wrapping has often proved less than satisfactory, resulting in damage to the cable, the sensor, and often leading to catastrophic seawater in-leakage at the cable penetrations.
Aside from sealing the takeout, the tape and wrap applied to the cable are intended to anchor the sensor package along with its connecting leader cable. As the wrapping is damaged, the sensor package with the connecting leader cable is allowed to move freely, causing a further mechanical damage to the sensors and connecting cable.
Thus, there remains a need for an enclosure to mechanically protect and anchor the sensor package with all its connecting cable to the seismic cable. Such an enclosure should still permitting free access of seawater into the sensor held within the enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention solves these and other drawbacks of the prior art by providing a three part enclosure system. The enclosure system includes a combination takeout and anchor, molded to the cable; an opposing anchor; and a substantially cylindrical enclosure body, referred to herein as a protective cover, adapted to engage the combination takeout/anchor and the opposing anchor.
The combination takeout/anchor is molded to the cable after the leader wire is electrically connected to one of the pairs of conductors inside the cable. This way, the combination takeout/anchor seals the takeout, and anchors it in place. The opposing anchor is spaced apart from the combination takeout/anchor and may alternatively provide for a takeout as well.
Each of the combination takeout/anchor and the opposing anchor define an annular groove to receive a mating flange of the cylindrical enclosure body. The enclosure body or protective cover is preferably formed of a pair of enclosure halves which are clamped down to engage the annular grooves by way of a cable clamp or other appropriate means.
The interior surface of the cylindrical enclosure body defines three substantially cylindrical cavities, one each for the cable body, the sensor assembly, and connecting wires. The cylindrical enclosure body further defines at least one opening through the body to allow seawater to flow inside the body, thereby permitting an acoustic signal to reach the sensor assembly inside.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3163703 (1964-12-01), McLoad
patent: 4811311 (1989-03-01), Woodall, Jr. et al.
patent: 5245133 (1993-09-01), DeCarlo et al.
patent: 5417592 (1995-05-01), West
patent: 5555220 (1996-09-01), Minto
patent: 5774423 (1998-06-01), Pearce et al.
patent: 5987990 (1999-11-01), Worthington et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Takeout anchor and protective cover does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Takeout anchor and protective cover, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Takeout anchor and protective cover will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2462208