Seismic autonomous underwater vehicle

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed. In one embodiment, the AUV comprises a buoyant body coupled to a pressure vessel that contains substantially all of the AUV's electronic components. The pressure vessel may comprise a plurality of composite components coupled together by a metallic ring to provide a substantially cylindrical shape to the pressure vessel. The AUV body provides lift to the AUV during lateral movement and compensates for an overall negative buoyancy of the AUV. The AUV may include a plurality of thrusters for propulsion. A vertical thruster may be used to create an upwards attack angle during takeoff and to maintain depth and orientation during flight. During normal flight operations, the AUV is configured to travel horizontally and vertically in a body of water by using only the horizontal thrusters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals on the ocean bottom during a marine seismic survey, the AUV comprising:
 a pressure vessel coupled to a buoyant body, wherein the pressure vessel houses a plurality of electronic components;   a propulsion system configured to control the AUV while travelling underwater;   a power supply;   an accelerometer; and   one or more seismic sensors.   
     
     
         2 . The AUV of  claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer and the one or more seismic sensors are located within the pressure vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The AUV of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure vessel is located exterior to the buoyant body. 
     
     
         4 . The AUV of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure vessel is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         5 . The AUV of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wings, wherein the accelerometer or the one or more seismic sensors is mechanically coupled to the plurality of wings for increased seabed coupling. 
     
     
         6 . An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals on the ocean bottom during a marine seismic survey, the AUV comprising:
 a pressure vessel that houses a plurality of electronic components, wherein the plurality of electronic components comprises one or more seismic sensors;   a propulsion system;   a plurality of upper wings; and   a plurality of lower wings.   
     
     
         7 . The AUV of  claim 6 , further comprising a buoyant body coupled to the pressure vessel. 
     
     
         8 . The AUV of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of upper wings is buoyant. 
     
     
         9 . The AUV of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of upper wings is configured to provide lift. 
     
     
         10 . The AUV of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of lower wings is coupled to the pressure vessel. 
     
     
         11 . The AUV of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of lower wings is configured to couple to the seabed. 
     
     
         12 . The AUV of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of lower wings comprises stabilizing wings. 
     
     
         13 . The AUV of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of lower wings comprises landing fins. 
     
     
         14 . The AUV of  claim 6 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a plurality of thrusters, wherein each of the plurality of thrusters is located on a side of the AUV between the plurality of upper wings and the plurality of lower wings. 
     
     
         15 . An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals on the ocean bottom during a marine seismic survey, the AUV comprising:
 a pressure vessel coupled to a buoyant body, wherein the pressure vessel houses a plurality of electronic components, wherein the pressure vessel is negatively buoyant, wherein the buoyant body comprises a foam body that is positively buoyant;   a propulsion system configured to propel and steer the AUV while travelling underwater; and   one or more seismic sensors.   
     
     
         16 . The AUV of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure vessel is located substantially beneath the buoyant body. 
     
     
         17 . The AUV of  claim 15 , wherein the buoyant body has a contoured shape that is configured to provide lift to the AUV. 
     
     
         18 . The AUV of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of contoured wings that is configured to provide lift to the AUV. 
     
     
         19 . The AUV of  claim 15 , wherein the AUV comprises a negative buoyancy, wherein the AUV is configured to provide lift during lateral subsea movement to overcome the negative buoyancy of the AUV. 
     
     
         20 . The AUV of  claim 15 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a single vertical thruster that is configured to provide all vehicle pitch control for the AUV.