Abstract: A switch for a marine seismic sensor. The switch includes a bellows having a closed end, a side portion and an open end, wherein the side portion connects the closed end to the open end, the closed end includes a conductive surface, and the side portion acts as a spring; a base plug that includes first input and first output contacts on a first side and second input and second output contacts on an opposite side; and a plug located in the open end of the bellows and configured to form a chamber, inside which the second input contact and the second output contact are provided. The conductive surface short-circuits the second input contact and the second output contact when a pressure larger than a predetermined pressure (P) acts on the conductive surface.

Abstract: A method of assisting the deployment/retrieval of linear acoustic antennas towed by a vessel, said linear antennas each having geophysical data sensors, means for measuring the distance of at least one adjacent linear antenna, during the course of which at least one of said linear acoustic antennas has at least longitudinal mobility in relation to said vessel, including: at least one phase for configuring cells (Cn) each defined by a central position corresponding to a distance-measuring means (T), and by at least one peripheral position corresponding to another distance-measuring means (T) in proximity to said distance-measuring means (T) for said central position, reference distances between said central positions and said peripheral positions being predetermined; and at least one phase for controlling said central and peripheral positions with respect to said reference distances, by establishing communication between at least some of said distance-measuring means (T).

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically detecting marine animals, carried out by a detection device. The method includes obtaining acoustic signal measurements collected by at least one acoustic sensor in a underwater environment; and at least one of a first branch for detecting frequency modulated sounds and a second branch for detecting impulsive sounds; each branch comprising a step of detecting sounds by: implementing in parallel several detection channels each having a different and fixed value for at least one degree of freedom; selecting the detection channel having a maximum signal to noise ratio; and comparing the signal to noise ratio of the selected detection channel to a determined threshold. The method further includes taking an alarm decision, indicating the presence of at least one marine animal, as a function of an output of the first branch and/or an output of the second branch.

Abstract: Discloses herein is 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: A marine device has a floating buoy containing electronics, a submerged payload containing electrical devices and electronics, a power source and a mooring line. At least a part of the power source is submerged and electrically connected to at least one of the submerged payload and the floating buoy, and the mooring line extends between the buoy and at least one of the power source submerged part, the submerged payload and a submerged anchor having a mass allowing it to stay under the water surface.

Abstract: A module is provided for processing geophysical data coming from at least one geophysical sensor. The module includes: an electronic board configured to enable the processing of geophysical data captured by the at least one geophysical sensor; and two cable sections each including, at one extremity, a connector designed to be connected to said electronic board. Each connector forms one half-shell and is arranged so as to cooperate with one other half-shell in such a way as to form a shell in which the electronic board is placed.

Abstract: A seismic cable including sensors, data transmission lines extending the length of the seismic cable for conveying data signals issued from the sensors. Controllers distributed along the seismic cable operate as an interface between the sensors and the data transmission lines. Power supplying lines supply power to the controllers and the sensors. X power supplying lines are alternately connected to one out of X successive controllers. Each controller is adapted for applying on a power supplying line detected as defective the electrical tension provided by another power supplying line. Y data transmission lines are alternately connected to one out of Y successive controllers. Each controller is adapted to redirect towards at least one adjacent controller the data associated with a data transmission line which is determined to be defective.

Abstract: Method and land-based system for generating seismic signals. The system includes a vehicle configured to move to a desired location above ground, the vehicle having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end; a vibratory source configured to generate seismic waves into the ground; a lifting system connecting the first end of the vehicle to the vibratory source and configured to lift or lower the vibratory source relative to the ground; and a balancing device connected to the second end of the vehicle and configured to lift the second end of the vehicle from the ground.

Abstract: An underwater cable deployment system for deploying an ocean bottom cable on the seabed including a cage having a lower frame and an upper frame, which lower frame is adapted to receive the ocean bottom cable and the upper frame is connected to an umbilical cable mounted on a vessel, the upper frame being removably attached to the lower frame, guiding and tensioning means for deploying the ocean bottom cable on the seabed, the lower frame further including a recording unit which is connected to the ocean bottom cable and is adapted to record data detected by at least one sensor unit of the ocean bottom cable and an electrical power unit adapted to provide power to the recording unit and to the ocean bottom cable.

Abstract: System and method for providing an anti-fouling function to a streamer to be towed under water for seismic survey data collection. The method includes mixing a thermoplastic material with a biocide material to form an external sheath material; and forming an external sheath over a main sheath of the streamer to provide the anti-fouling function. The external sheath is formed from the external sheath material such that the biocide material is distributed throughout the external sheath.

Abstract: A streamer for seismic prospection comprising directional sensors (20), such as geophones or accelerometers, distributed along the streamer, characterized in that said streamer comprises at least two tilt sensors (30, 40) located in remote positions and in locations distant from the directional sensors (20) and means which determined the effective orientation of each directional sensor (20) by interpolating along the streamer the tilt detected by the two tilt sensors (30, 40).

Abstract: A seismic survey is conducted by positioning an array of remote acquisition units (RAUs). Each of the RAUs records seismic data derived torn one or more geophones in digital form in local memory. The data is collected by a harvester unit traversed across the survey territory as by an aircraft using point-multipoint communications, and subsequently transferred from the harvester unit to a central control unit.

Abstract: An anti-stiction method is proposed in an inertial micro-electro-mechanical device. The device includes: a mobile mass, suspended to an armature via a spring, and having at least one mobile electrode; and at least one fixed electrode rigidly attached to the armature, each fixed electrode cooperating with one of the at least one mobile electrode to form a pair of electrodes. The anti-stiction method carries out a step of detecting, for at least one stuck pair of electrodes, a stiction associated to a stiction force and a step of applying, during a predetermined time period, a predetermined voltage between the electrodes of at least one of the pair or pairs of electrodes, so as to create an electrostatic force which generates a displacement of the mobile mass according to the direction of the stiction force.

Abstract: Networks of data acquisition modules may include wireless and cabled networks. The data acquisition modules may include no antennas, one antenna, or two antennas. The antennas may be removable from a port on the data acquisition node allowing a common module design between the wireless and cabled networks. A rigid shell with arms may be constructed to house the antennas and a cable connector. The rigid shell may protect the antennas during transport, installation, and use of the data acquisition modules. For example, when driving a module into the ground, the rigid shell may prevent damage to the antennas.

Abstract: A seismic survey is conducted by positioning an array of remote acquisition units (RAUs). Each of the RAUs records seismic data derived from one or more geophones in digital form in local memory. The data is collected by a harvester unit traversed across the survey territory as by an aircraft using point-multipoint communications, and subsequently transferred from the harvester unit to a central control unit.

Abstract: A seismic survey is conducted by positioning an array of remote acquisition units (RAUs) (10). Each of the RAUs (10) records seismic data derived from one or more geophones in digital form in local memory. The data is collected by a harvester unit traversed across the survey territory as by an aircraft (24) using point-multipoint communications, and subsequently transferred from the harvester unit to a central control unit (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, a method and an apparatus for acquiring data, the device comprising a wireless network including a set of nodes (100), each node (100) including a sender (140) and a receiver (150) for sending and/or receiving and/or relaying data and/or commands, and a satellite positioning system (130), characterized in that each satellite positioning system (130) includes means for providing specific data used for time-stamping the data relative to a common time reference, organizing an access to the wireless network in a perfectly controlled manner, and routing data and/or commands within the network.

Abstract: A connector is provided, which is configured for being connected to a similar connector. The connector has a global cylindrical shape around a longitudinal axis and includes a connection zone having comprising at least one electrical contact. A housing extends at least partly around the connection zone and has at least two projecting members. A cylindrical locking nut surrounds the housing and is at least partly movable relative to the housing. The housing and the locking nut are configured for respectively cooperating with corresponding locking nut and housing of the similar connector.

Abstract: A stress-relief device is provided, which is configured for being mounted on a geophysical equipment or node connected to at least two cables. The device includes a case configured for surrounding the geophysical equipment or node and for making at least an opening for enabling a connection between each of the at least two cables and the geophysical equipment or node. The device also includes a housing for housing a portion of each of the two cables, the housing being configured for substantially preventing any movement of said portions of the two cables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for managing the acoustic performances of a network of acoustic nodes arranged along towed acoustic linear antennas. The network of acoustic nodes is adapted to determine inter-node distances allowing to locate the acoustic linear antennas. The method includes: obtaining a determined layout of the network of acoustic nodes; obtaining at least one marine environment property relating to an area of performance of a survey with the network of acoustic nodes; and quantifying the acoustic performances of the network of acoustic nodes, using a sound propagation model, the at least one marine environment property and the determined layout.