Underwater seismic exploration system - uses self-propelled floats travelling adjacent to ship to tow seismic detectors and remotely controlled by mother

摘要

The system uses detectors (5,6) which are associated with a support vessel. Self-propelled, underwater floats are linked to the vessel by electric cables providing them with power, and are controlled so as to follow a path parallel to the vessel at a constant distance from it. Each float has its own propeller screw (14) and rudder (15) and tows behind it, a detector cable. The floats may be controlled from the support vessel by sonar, or acoustic beacon signals. Alternatively there may be arranged to support a number of seismic detectors at intervals between themselves and the support vessel.