Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber-optic seismic sensor (200) with a test body (110), characterized in that the test body (110) comprises several separate dishes (113, 114, 115, 116) that are distributed around the direction of the sensitive axis of the sensor and two star-shaped elements (120, 130) placed on either side of the dishes (113, 114, 115, 116) and mechanically linking said dishes (113, 114, 115, 116) together.

Abstract: A submarine vehicle able to control the navigation of a towed submerged object (3). The vehicle includes a body (5) equipped with stabilizing fins (7a, 7b, 7c), at least one of which (7c) is free to rotate and is ballasted, or linked to a ballast, for roll stabilization and/or orientation of the vehicle when it is in motion.

Abstract: Discloses herein is a a system of acquiring seismic date in a marine environment, which includes: seismic streamers towed by a vessel; and means for detecting and/or locating marine mammals, characterised in that said marine mammal detection and/or location means are secured to said seismic streamers.

Abstract: The apparatus has a sensor disposed on the first end of an elongate connector by means of fixed interface link. A recorder unit is disposed on the second end of the connector opposite the first end. The connector is bendable within a predefined curvature range. When the apparatus is deployed into the sea, it is adapted to free-fall through the body of water and to land on the seafloor such that the sensor is spaced apart from the recorder unit. The apparatus is additionally adapted to substantially vibrationally de-couple the sensor from the recorder unit. The length of the connector is dynamically variable within a predefined range so as to minimize vibration coupling between the recorder unit to the sensor. Physical separation of the sensor and the recorder unit, together with the mechanical characteristics of the connector, ensure that the sensor is substantially vibrationally de-coupled from the recorder unit.

Abstract: An accelerometer uses variations in capacitance to detect and measure the movement of a moving mass in relation to a fixed part. The accelerometer comprises a first series of electrodes, which are solidly connected to the mass and which are interdigitated with a second series of electrodes. The second series of electrodes are solidly connected to the fixed part. The accelerometer further comprises an electronic circuit which: detects the variation in at least one capacitance between the moving mass and the fixed part, in the form of a moving mass displacement indicator; and also generates an electrostatic stress in order to return the moving mass to the initial position thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for data acquisition, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises an analog/digital converter (510) sampling at an imperfect frequency FE provided by a local clock (100) data acquired by a sensor (500) thus providing a series of sampled and dated data E[k], a time-stamping module (300) for measuring the frequency error of the local clock (100) by determining the sampling dates according to a universal time UTC(t), and a resampling module (400) for correcting the sampled and dated data E[k].

Abstract: A system and method of laser machining rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation, and translates the workpiece in a first direction along the axis of rotation. A mask defining a shape is translated in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a laser beam is directed at the mask such that the laser beam is scanned across the mask and at least a portion of the laser beam passes through the mask and toward the workpiece. The mask and the workpiece are translated with coordinating opposing motion to cause the laser beam to be imaged onto the workpiece with a shape or pattern corresponding to a shape or pattern defined by the mask. Rotation of the workpiece and the shape of the image on the workpiece produce different vectorial intensities such that material of the workpiece is removed to different respective depths to form a three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for multiplexing Fiber Optic Interferometric Sensors (FOISs), which apparatus comprises means (1) forming the an optical source for providing m*n distinct wavelengths ?11, ?12, . . . , ?1n, ?21, ?22, . . . , ?2n, . . . , ?m1, ?m2, . . . , ?mn, the optical source including means for generating m groups (111, 112, . . . , 11m) of light pulses, each group 11j (1?j?m) being made up of n light pulses Pk(?j1), Pk(?j2), . . . , Pk(?jn) of distinct wavelengths ?j1, ?j2, . . . , ?jn, the n light pulses Pk(?j1), Pk(?j2), . . . , Pk(?jn) being time delayed one from another, Fiber Optic Interferometric Sensors distributed in m groups (51, 52, . . .

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for emitting seismic vibration waves mountable on a movable platform (100) comprising a vibration system for transmitting the waves into the ground and a system for supporting a device (200) on the ground, wherein the system for supporting on the ground is fixable to the movable platform (100) and transfers a charge to a ground-mounted vibration system in a ground support direction (1). Said ground-mounted vibration system is fixable to the system for supporting on the ground by compensation means (251, 252, 253) for compensating perpendicularity defects between the ground general plane and the around support direction (1).

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system includes a plurality of sensors which are arranged so they can be used to measure translation movements of a medium with three independent spatial components and of the rotation movements around each of the three independent spatial components, thus forming a six-component system.

Abstract: A pulley for assisting in the deployment or take-up of a heterogeneous system including modules configured to be placed or being placed in an environment. These modules are connected via connecting members and the pulley is configured to be mounted rotatably on a shaft placed above the environment. The pulley includes first cooperating members configured to cooperate with the connecting members and second cooperating members configured to cooperate with the modules. The first and second cooperating members are configured to produce two successive operating states, namely, a first state during which the pulley is substantially stationary in rotation around the shaft and a second state corresponding to the passage of the modules, during which the pulley is driven in rotation around the shaft.

Abstract: A variable astigmatic focal beam spot is formed using lasers with an anamorphic beam delivery system. The variable astigmatic focal beam spot can be used for cutting applications, for example, to scribe semiconductor wafers such as light emitting diode (LED) wafers. The exemplary anamorphic beam delivery system comprises a series of optical components, which deliberately introduce astigmatism to produce focal points separated into two principal meridians, i.e. vertical and horizontal. The astigmatic focal points result in an asymmetric, yet sharply focused, beam spot that consists of sharpened leading and trailing edges. Adjusting the astigmatic focal points changes the aspect ratio of the compressed focal beam spot, allowing adjustment of energy density at the target without affecting laser output power. Scribing wafers with properly optimized energy and power density increases scribing speeds while minimizing excessive heating and collateral material damage.

Abstract: A variable astigmatic focal beam spot is formed using lasers with an anamorphic beam delivery system. The variable astigmatic focal beam spot can be used for cutting applications, for example, to scribe semiconductor wafers such as light emitting diode (LED) wafers. The exemplary anamorphic beam delivery system comprises a series of optical components, which deliberately introduce astigmatism to produce focal points separated into two principal meridians, i.e. vertical and horizontal. The astigmatic focal points result in an asymmetric, yet sharply focused, beam spot that consists of sharpened leading and trailing edges. Adjusting the astigmatic focal points changes the aspect ratio of the compressed focal beam spot, allowing adjustment of energy density at the target without affecting laser output power. Scribing wafers with properly optimized energy and power density increases scribing speeds while minimizing excessive heating and collateral material damage.

Abstract: A hydrophone includes a body formed of a flexible, plastic material. The body includes a plurality of channels and each channel may have one or more wells. The wells are adapted to receive an active element which includes mounting hardware. The mounting hardware includes a soft, rubber grommet or other means which suspends the active element, thereby permitting the flexing of the body without introducing that motion to the active element.

Abstract: A lift off process is used to separate a layer of material from a substrate by irradiating an interface between the layer of material and the substrate. According to one exemplary process, the layer is separated into a plurality of sections corresponding to dies on the substrate and a homogeneous beam spot is shaped to cover an integer number of the sections.

Abstract: A method for compensating the effect of gravity on seismic sensors such as geophones and a gravity effect-free seismic sensor are disclosed. The gravity effect-free seismic sensor of the present invention includes primary sensor (100) operatively responsive to seismic movements and hence generating a seismic signal by having a coil placed in a magnetic field in a first axis of sensitivity (105); an auxiliary sensor (210) operatively responsive to a gravity field for generating a tilt signal, thus provide current to the coil of the primary sensor (100) to induce a force on the coil that at least partially compensates for a weight of the coil, thus ameliorating or eliminating a gravity effect on the primary sensor (100).

Abstract: A lift off process is used to separate a layer of material from a substrate by irradiating an interface between the layer of material and the substrate. According to one exemplary process, the layer is separated into a plurality of sections corresponding to dies on the substrate and a homogeneous beam spot is shaped to cover an integer number of the sections.

Abstract: A lift off process is used to separate a layer of material from a substrate by irradiating an interface between the layer of material and the substrate. According to one exemplary process, the layer is separated into a plurality of sections corresponding to dies on the substrate and a homogeneous beam spot is shaped to cover an integer number of the sections.

Abstract: An electronic-carrying module (640), for example for use with a seismic data acquisition cable (400), is disclosed. The preferred electronic-carrying module (640) includes, first, an electronics carrier (106) having access means (107) for providing an easy-to-reach access to wrap-around circuitry fitted inside a curved space (104a) within the electronics carrier (106). Second, a pair of rigid end-fittings (102) spaced apart axially by the electronics carrier (106) for connecting to a section of the seismic data acquisition cable (400). And third, an axial hole (100) formed in the electronics carrier (106) and the rigid end-fittings (102) defining the curved space (104a) between the axial hole (100), the access means (107) and the rigid end-fittings (102).

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition unit includes a data acquisition and digital circuit which receives an analog seismic signal and digitizes the signal. The digitized seismic data uses data telemetry and a repeater device to receive the compressed data and transmit the compressed data to a seismic central control unit. The data decompressor takes the data from the data compressor and decompresses the data. The decompressed data is then compared with the original digitized data to determine the amount of noise resulting from the compression process. The compression noise is compared to the ambient noise, and if the compression noise exceeds a predefined criterion, then the compression ratio in the data compressor is adjusted for a lower degree of compression. The process is repeated until the amount of compression noise, relative to ambient noise, is satisfactory.