The present disclosure is directed to a MEMS-based rotation sensor for use in seismic data acquisition and sensor units having same. The MEMS-based rotation sensor includes a substrate, an anchor disposed on the substrate and a proof mass coupled to the anchor via a plurality of flexural springs. The proof mass has a first electrode coupled to and extending therefrom. A second electrode is fixed to the substrate, and one of the first and second electrodes is configured to receive an actuation signal, and another of the first and second electrodes is configured to generate an electrical signal having an amplitude corresponding with a degree of angular movement of the first electrode relative to the second electrode. The MEMS-based rotation sensor further includes closed loop circuitry configured to receive the electrical signal and provide the actuation signal. Related methods for using the MEMS-based rotation sensor in seismic data acquisition are also described.

A marine survey node can include a body to be deployed to a seabed, a marine survey receiver coupled to the body and to acquire marine survey data, and a soil sample module associated with the body to collect a soil sample from the seabed. A soil sample module can include a vessel, a first valve coupled to the vessel, and a spike coupled to the vessel. The spike can penetrate an earth surface. The first valve can maintain a pressure difference between the vessel and the spike when closed and equalize a pressure between the vessel and the spike when open. An inlet in the spike can equalize pressure between an inside of the spike and an outside of the spike and to collect a soil sample from the earth surface.

An acoustic array has a frame and multimode transducers positioned along the frame. The multimode transducers are cylindrical and divided into circumferential transducer segments. The transducer segments each have a common ground electrode and an electrode associated with the segment. An elastomeric bushing is between each multimode transducer and the frame. Electrical leads are joined to the electrodes. A proximate plug is provided at one end of the frame, and a distal plug is provided at the other. A connector is positioned in the proximate plug and joined to the electrical leads. An elastomeric hose surrounds the frame and is sealed to the proximate plug and the distal plug. The interior volume is filled with a dielectric fluid.

A seismic sensor assembly can include a housing that defines a longitudinal axis; a sensor; sensor circuitry operatively coupled to the sensor; and overvoltage protection circuitry electrically coupled to the housing.

A seismic device for recording seismic waves includes a housing to be located in a fill-in material and/or a formation, a first assembly located inside the housing, and a first anchor attached to the first assembly and exiting through the housing to contact the fill-in material and/or the formation. The first assembly is configured to measure a quantity indicative of a strain experienced by the formation due to the seismic waves.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body extending along an axis X and having a head portion, a middle portion, and a tail portion, wherein the middle portion is sandwiched between the head portion and the tail portion along the X axis; a cross-section of the middle portion, substantially perpendicular on the X axis, having a triangular-like shape; the head portion including a base portion having the triangular-like shape and configured to match the middle portion; the head portion having a tip that, when projected along the X axis on the base portion, substantially coincides with a centroid of the base portion having the triangular-like shape; and a seismic payload located within the body and configured to record seismic signals.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body extending along an axis X and having a head portion, a middle portion, and a tail portion, wherein the middle portion is sandwiched between the head portion and the tail portion along the X axis; a cross-section of the middle portion, substantially perpendicular on the X axis, having a triangular-like shape; the head portion including a base portion having the triangular-like shape and configured to match the middle portion; the head portion having a tip that, when projected along the X axis on the base portion, substantially coincides with a centroid of the base portion having the triangular-like shape; and a seismic payload located within the body and configured to record seismic signals.

The present invention discloses a new submerged buoy data acquisition system, including a battery compartment, a main control processor, a GPS receiver, a gigabit Ethernet interface module, and a plurality of data acquisition boards, where the GPS receiver is connected to the main control processor, and the main control processor is connected to a host computer by using the gigabit Ethernet interface module; the data acquisition board includes a hydrophone sensor, a front-end drive circuit, an AD conversion circuit, a clock module, a DA conversion circuit, an FPGA, an ARM processor, and a storage module; the hydrophone sensor is connected to the AD conversion circuit by using the front-end drive circuit, the AD conversion circuit is connected to the FPGA, the FPGA is connected to the ARM processor, the storage module is connected to the ARM processor, the DA conversion circuit is connected to the FPGA and the clock module, the clock module is connected to the FPGA, and the ARM processor is connected to the main control processor. The present invention improves acquisition performance of the submerged buoy data acquisition system, and implements synchronous acquisition and control of the entire system.

A system and method for improved coupling of geophysical sensors is disclosed. The method includes determining conditions at an installation location, and selecting a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a threaded device having a shaft with a foot and a head. The threaded device has a cavity that is open at the foot and extends inside the shaft from the foot to the head. The sensor assembly further includes a baseplate configured to couple to the threaded device. The method also includes preparing the installation location for installation of the selected sensor assembly and installing the selected sensor assembly at the installation location.

A multi-function acquisition device comprising a connector having two connection terminals, and an electronic circuit that comprises an acquisition circuit configured for enabling the digital conversion of analogic signals from a sensor, and the memorization of the digitized signals in a memory; a harvesting circuit configured for enabling the transmission of data stored in the memory to a harvesting device; a charging circuit configured for enabling the charging of a battery with the power provided by a powering device. A control unit controls the activation of the acquisition circuit, the activation of the harvesting circuit, and the activation of the charging circuit.