Abstract: A retriever is provided for a marine seismic cable or other tool. The retriever first comprises a housing. Disposed within the housing is a canister for containing gas under pressure. An inflatable bag is fluidly connected to the gas canister within the housing. Gas is prohibited from exiting the gas canister and inflating the bag until hydrostatic pressure acting upon the retriever exceeds a designated amount. If the cable sinks to a certain depth within a water body, the corresponding hydrostatic pressure acting upon the cable will exceed the preset pressure level. An actuating mechanism is then actuated, causing gas to exit the gas canister and to inflate the inflatable bag. In one arrangement, a pop-open cover is provided on the housing. As the bag inflates, it acts to release the pop-open cover from the housing and to further inflate outside of the housing of the retriever. The inflated bag will cause the cable to be buoyantly lifted to the surface of the water body.

Abstract: A retriever is provided for a marine seismic cable or other tool. The retriever first comprises a housing. Disposed within the housing is a canister for containing gas under pressure. An inflatable bag is fluidly connected to the gas canister within the housing. Gas is prohibited from exiting the gas canister and inflating the bag until hydrostatic pressure acting upon the retriever exceeds a designated amount. If the cable sinks to a certain depth within a water body, the corresponding hydrostatic pressure acting upon the cable will exceed the preset pressure level. An actuating mechanism is then actuated, causing gas to exit the gas canister and to inflate the inflatable bag. In one arrangement, a pop-open cover is provided on the housing. As the bag inflates, it acts to release the pop-open cover from the housing and to further inflate outside of the housing of the retriever. The inflated bag will cause the cable to be buoyantly lifted to the surface of the water body.

Abstract: A cluster of seismic streamer cable utility modules is provided with a set of hinged latching members. The hinged latching members are adapted secure the cluster to the steamer cable by closing the hinged latches around corresponding collars mounted on the streamer cable. The collars form an inner race while the closed hinged latches form an outer race to allow free relative rotation between the streamer cable and the cluster of modules.

Abstract: A marine seismic streamer cable retriever is activated promptly when the cable and its attached retriever exceed a pre-selected safe depth. In an alternative scenario, an electronics module in the cable retriever monitors the presence of through-cable communications traffic between a mother ship and the various sensors in the cable. If an interruption in communications traffic is detected, a clock starts a count-down and sends a warning to the operator aboard ship. At the end of a count-down period, absent prior operator intervention, the cable retriever is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cable leveling device for a seismic marine cable. The cable leveling device features a motor which controls diving planes by way of direct mechanical linkage. The motor is controlled by a stored program digital processor connected in a closed loop feedback circuit. Optical reflective sensors are employed in the feedback loop to monitor the position of the mechanical linkage to directly determine the angle of the diving planes. A telemetry unit is provided to telemeter data from the cable leveling device to shipboard via the marine cable.

Abstract: An apparatus to remotely control the depth in the water of a marine cable, such as a streamer of seismic geophones or hydrophones towed behind an exploration boat during seismic surveys of submerged formations, and maintain the cable at a desired depth. The depth at which the cable is maintained may be remotely adjusted for a range of selected depths. A new and improved attaching mechanism for attaching the depth control apparatus to the cable is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus to control the depth in the water of a marine cable, such as a streamer of seismic geophones or hydrophones towed behind an exploration boat during seismic surveys of submerged formations, and maintain the cable at a desired depth. The apparatus includes structure to prevent damage from obstacles in the water and other imparing of performance. The apparatus includes other structure to improve performance characteristics in operation.

Abstract: An apparatus to control the depth in the water of a cable, such as a cable streamer of seismic geophones or hydrophones towed behind an exploration boat during seismic surveys of submerged formations, and maintain the cable at a desired depth while operating at reduced noise levels and with improved operating characteristics. The depth at which the cable is maintained may be adjusted for a range of selected depths.