Marine survey apparatus, system, and method with a rigid structure

摘要

One aspect relates to using seismic source element modules 448 which may each include a seismic source element 450. Members or spacer modules 452 coupled between the source elements can each have a hydrofoil shape (fig.6). The source element modules 448 and the spacer modules 452 collectively form a rigid structure. The spacer modules may include a hinged trailing edge configured to operate as a rudder. In another aspect, there is a method of deploying a marine survey system in a fluid volume in an approximately horizontal orientation. A tow line winch is operated to retract tow lines connected to an umbilical and a rigid structure of the system until the rigid structure is in a vertical orientation. Another aspect relates to operating the winch so that the rigid structure moves from the vertical orientation to a horizontal one.