A system (1) for attaching a plurality of seismic nodes (110, 110a) along a main carrier rope (101). The main carrier rope is made of steel or synthetic fibre, and comprises no power or communication lines. The system has a length measuring device (210) for providing a measured length (L.sub.m) of deployed main carrier rope (101); a data source (220, 230, 240) for providing positioning data affecting the rope position of each seismic node (110, 110a) on the main carrier rope (101); a control unit (200) for providing an attachment command whenever the measured length (L.sub.m) corresponds to a rope position of a seismic node (110, 110a) computed from the positioning data; and a node attaching unit (100) for attaching a seismic node (110, 110a) to the main carrier rope (101) in response to the attachment command. The system is capable of attaching nodes (110) with different node spacing between some or all nodes along the main carrier rope (101). As the rope positions are determined by the measured length (L.sub.m), the system automatically compensates for creep or stretch in the main carrier rope (101). Attaching a seismic node (110) to the main carrier rope (101) at any rope position by means of a clamping device, a suspension device and a fly line is also disclosed.

A system (1) for attaching a plurality of seismic nodes (110, 110a) along a main carrier rope (101). The main carrier rope is made of steel or synthetic fibre, and comprises no power or communication lines. The system has a length measuring device (210) for providing a measured length (L.sub.m) of deployed main carrier rope (101); a data source (220, 230, 240) for providing positioning data affecting the rope position of each seismic node (110, 110a) on the main carrier rope (101); a control unit (200) for providing an attachment command whenever the measured length (L.sub.m) corresponds to a rope position of a seismic node (110, 110a) computed from the positioning data; and a node attaching unit (100) for attaching a seismic node (110, 110a) to the main carrier rope (101) in response to the attachment command. The system is capable of attaching nodes (110) with different node spacing between some or all nodes along the main carrier rope (101). As the rope positions are determined by the measured length (L.sub.m), the system automatically compensates for creep or stretch in the main carrier rope (101). Attaching a seismic node (110) to the main carrier rope (101) at any rope position by means of a clamping device, a suspension device and a fly line is also disclosed.

A mechanical attachment mechanism includes a clamp and a receptacle. The clamp includes a trigger arm and catchment fingers biased to pivot toward the trigger arm. The receptacle includes an aligner and curved grooves. The curved grooves each have open exterior and closed interior ends. The trigger arm of the clamp is biased from a triggered position toward secured and extended positions. The extended position is for the trigger arm beginning and ending contact between the trigger arm and the aligner. The extended position is also for the trigger arm capturing the catchment fingers of the clamp from the open exterior end of the curved grooves of the receptacle. The triggered position is for the trigger arm releasing the catchment fingers into the curved grooves. The secured position is for securing the clamp and the receptacle together with the catchment fingers engaging the closed interior end of the curved grooves.

A mechanical attachment mechanism includes a clamp and a receptacle. The clamp includes a trigger arm and catchment fingers biased to pivot toward the trigger arm. The receptacle includes an aligner and curved grooves. The curved grooves each have open exterior and closed interior ends. The trigger arm of the clamp is biased from a triggered position toward secured and extended positions. The extended position is for the trigger arm beginning and ending contact between the trigger arm and the aligner. The extended position is also for the trigger arm capturing the catchment fingers of the clamp from the open exterior end of the curved grooves of the receptacle. The triggered position is for the trigger arm releasing the catchment fingers into the curved grooves. The secured position is for securing the clamp and the receptacle together with the catchment fingers engaging the closed interior end of the curved grooves.