Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling of sensor capsules and their inner components during deployment and retrieval of a seismic cable into the sea by a vessel where the seismic cable includes seismic node casings to contain the sensor capsules when the seismic cable is in the sea. The method includes the following steps: withdrawing a sensor capsule from a sensor capsule storage; withdrawing a battery unit from a battery unit storage; withdrawing a control unit from a docking station; combining the control unit and battery unit into a control/battery unit; inserting the control/battery unit into the sensor capsule and closing the sensor capsule; and loading the sensor capsule into a seismic node casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing control units comprises a cabinet (10) with a plurality of rails (41) arranged horizontally along inner sidewalls and is configured to receive a plurality of drawers (40) above each other. Each drawer (40) comprises a plurality of docking sockets (1), each docking socket (1) being configured to receive and retain one control unit. The apparatus comprises a robotic elevator device (20) adapted to move an elevator table (30) in a vertical direction to a vertical position corresponding to a pair of rails (41) into which a drawer (40) is to be inserted or from which the drawer (40) is to be withdrawn. The elevator table (30) comprises a linear motor (32, 34) capable of moving the drawer (40) along a pair of rails (41) in a longitudinal direction. A robotic gripper, which may be internal or external to the apparatus, is capable of putting control units into the docking sockets or withdrawing the control units from the docking sockets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seismic node (100), comprising at least one seismic sensor with associated electronics, a primary oscillator (106) for timing sensor signals, a reference oscillator (104), a memory, a power source, a switch (102) for turning the reference oscillator on and off, and a processor (112) for digitizing sensor signals and storing them in the memory, calibrating a frequency of the primary oscillator (106) based on the frequency of the reference oscillator (104), and turning the reference oscillator on and off.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing control units comprises a cabinet (10) with a plurality of rails (41) arranged horizontally along inner sidewalls and is configured to receive a plurality of drawers (40) above each other. Each drawer (40) comprises a plurality of docking sockets (1), each docking socket (1) being configured to receive and retain one control unit. The apparatus comprises a robotic elevator device (20) adapted to move an elevator table (30) in a vertical direction to a vertical position corresponding to a pair of rails (41) into which a drawer (40) is to be inserted or from which the drawer (40) is to be withdrawn. The elevator table (30) comprises a linear motor (32, 34) capable of moving the drawer (40) along a pair of rails (41) in a longitudinal direction. A robotic gripper, which may be internal or external to the apparatus, is capable of putting control units into the docking sockets or withdrawing the control units from the docking sockets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling of sensor capsules and their inner components during deployment and retrieval of a seismic cable into the sea by a vessel where the seismic cable includes seismic node casings to contain the sensor capsules when the seismic cable is in the sea. The method includes the following steps: withdrawing a sensor capsule from a sensor capsule storage; withdrawing a battery unit from a battery unit storage; withdrawing a control unit from a docking station; combining the control unit and battery unit into a control/battery unit; inserting the control/battery unit into the sensor capsule and closing the sensor capsule; and loading the sensor capsule into a seismic node casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seismic node (100), comprising at least one seismic sensor with associated electronics, a primary oscillator (106) for timing sensor signals, a reference oscillator (104), a memory, a power source, a switch (102) for turning the reference oscillator on and off, and a processor (112) for digitizing sensor signals and storing them in the memory, calibrating a frequency of the primary oscillator (106) based on the frequency of the reference oscillator (104), and turning the reference oscillator on and off.