CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR SEISMOMETER CABLE ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 2014 - IPC G01V1/20 

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to marine seismic researches and, in particular, to a connection system intended for connection of equipment to a marine seismometer cable assembly and disconnection of it from the latter. The proposed group of inventions comprises a connection system to attach an external device to the section of an underwater cable, a bush for rotary joint of the external device to a seismic cable, a method to connect the external device, installed on the underwater cable and fixed to a pair of cups, to a pair of bushes each of which is fitted by a belt element and a raised projection, as well as a method to disconnect the external device, installed on the underwater cable and fixed to a pair of cups each of which is made with a gap, from a pair of bushes each of which is fitted by a raised projection. The connection system comprises the first bush fixed around the underwater cable in a certain location point and fitted by a belt element and a raised projection on its outer surface, the second bush fixed around the underwater cable at a distance from the first bush and fitted by a belt element and a raised projection on its outer surface, the first C-shape cup attached to the first bush so that to be able of turning to the first bush and fitted by the inner surface intended for sliding along the belt element of the first bush, and a gap formed in the said cup by the longitudinal opening between the ends of the C-shape profile while the width of the opening between the said ends is more than the maximal circular size of the projection provided on the first bush or is equal to it, the second C-shape cup attached to the second bush so that to be able of turning to the second bush and fitted by the inner surface intended for sliding along the belt element of the second bush, and a gap formed in the said cup by the longitudinal opening between the ends of the C-shape profile while the width of the opening between the said ends is more than the maximal circular size of the projection provided on the second bush or is equal to it. The proposed bush is fitted by a belt element passing in circular direction around the bush periphery, a raised collar set on the rear end of the belt element and a raised collar set on the opposite front end of the belt element and passing along the part of the bush periphery. The proposed connection method of the external device involves connection of the pair of cups provided with gaps to the external device, turning of bushes in respect to each other to match the projections made on both bushes, pulling of the cups onto the cable in radial direction through the said gap, moving of the cups in the longitudinal direction along the cable so that the matched projections pass through the gaps to the specified position around the inner bush and turning of bushes in respect to each other to shift the projections in respect to each other. The proposed disconnection method of the external device involves turning of bushes in respect to each other to match the projections made on both bushes, moving of the cups in the longitudinal direction along the bushes so that the matched projections are in the gaps until they pass the bush and demounting of the cup fixed to the external device from the cable in radial direction.

EFFECT: at following sea, the said external devices are provided with reliable fixation and such pushing forward of the external device is prevented when the cups are disengaged from the belt elements, the above is ensured due to the fact that the projection prevents the cup from leaving the belt element when the gap is shifted circumferentially in relation to the projection.

26 cl, 7 dwg