Abstract: Apparatus and methods to operationally deploy land-based seismic nodes. An autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes apparatus for placing, monitoring, testing, servicing, and collecting nodes in a harsh environment such as, e.g., tundra or desert. Associated methods of node deployment and retrieval are disclosed including a ‘rollover deployment.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring the temperature of a battery located within a seismic node is disclosed herein. The device comprising a geophone, having a coil configured to generate an electrical signal in response to a seismic vibration; a circuit configured to measure a value of an electrical property of the coil; a nontransitory storage medium storing program code, configured to convert the electrical property to a temperature.

Abstract: Machinery and methods are described whereby a free flying, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can safely capture and take on board lightly managed seismic sensor devices (payload) while they are in-transit via a surface vessel in a (deep) water column. ROV payload can be replenished without the need for the ROV to return to the surface vessel to receive additional payload and to do so without the need for heavy launch and recovery machinery. The reverse process of returning payload from the ROV to the surface vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A real-time, marine acoustic monitoring system and method for detecting, tracking, recording, analyzing, communicating and otherwise obtaining and manipulating data indicative of marine presence and/or activity, and using such data to avoid or mitigate detrimental impact on the marine environment. The system includes sub-sea instrumentation packages (SPs) including sensors recording acoustic signals and other sensor data that allow elapsed and/or real-time, in-situ data communications and control of the individual instrumentation packages and system configuration. Each SP may have wireless, acoustic, and/or optical modules or components to enable the communication between SPs and/or other collection points such as surface vessels, ROVs, sub-sea transceivers, or AUVs.

Abstract: A computing system and method for determining the x, y energy receiver (node) positions regardless of the angle at which the energy was released from the source. The process and computing system involves an iterative looping technique that is executed in data processing software wherein an initial model position based on, in essence, a best guess as to a node's location, followed with the iterative process of statistically comparing model data to actual data and then adjusting the model position by some predetermined amount and comparing this new result to the actual data to determine if the newly adjusted position is statistically better or worse than the originally selected position assumption. The process can be repeated using continuously smaller distance adjustments to the previously determined best position. Once satisfied that the true best position has been achieved, the processing can cease and the XY position data may be used in the normal course of generating seismic maps.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) including a deployable anchor and a method for operating an AUV having a deployable anchor in a hover mode.

Abstract: An item storage, dispensing, and receiving apparatus includes a frame assembly having a height and length, including at least one section thereof having two opposing side wall sections, wherein each opposing side wall section includes vertically spaced rails disposed on an inner surface thereof such that each rail on a respective side wall section is located opposite a corresponding rail on the opposing side wall section, further wherein the at least one section has an open space fully extending between the vertically spaced rails between the two opposing side wall sections over the height and length, and a conveyance mechanism located within the open space along at least a portion of the length, wherein the conveyance mechanism is movable in a vertical direction in the open space along the height.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to operationally link (couple/decouple) a plurality of relatively massive, complimentary payload platforms (i.e., suspended machinery and ROV) at relatively deep working depths in an unstable marine environment (water column) while the payload platforms are in-transit. An apparatus includes a suspended machinery, an ROV, a capture collar, an extendable/retractable harpoon, and actuating machinery to controllably effect extension and retraction thereof. A method includes providing an in-transit suspended machinery having a capture collar, providing an in-transit ROV having an extendable/retractable harpoon, approaching the in-transit suspended machinery with the ROV, maneuvering the ROV so as to bring an end of the partially extended harpoon into aligned proximity with the capture collar, and further extending the harpoon so that it securely engages the capture collar.

Abstract: The present invention permits RMS traveltime error in a seismic data acquisition to be minimized. Field measurements of source and receiver coordinates, speed of sound in water as a function of depth and time, receiver timing, and clock drift are first collected. The seismic data is then examined to measure travel time from each source to each reciever. A model travel time can then be computed based on the field measurements. By iteratively perturbing at least one of the field measured data using a look-up table and calculating the travel time after each perturbation until an acceptable RMS error has been achieved, conditioned seismic data that takes into account the dynamic nature of the water column will provide the basis for creating an accurate seismic map that is unaffected by the changing water conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method of transferring seismic equipment to and from a marine vessel and subsurface location. In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel includes a deck having a plurality of seismic sensor devices stored thereon, two remotely operated vehicles, each comprising a seismic sensor storage compartment, and a seismic sensor transfer device comprising a container for transfer of one or more of the seismic sensor devices from the vessel to the sensor storage compartment of at least one of the two remotely operated vehicles.