Dynamic analysis of deep-towed seismic array based on relative-velocity-element-frame

Before analyzing the distribution of submarine minerals, the positions of hydrophones installed in seismic array cables must be known. Generally, the hydrophone positions are computed through inversion calculation based on assumptions that conflict with the facts, and some assumed parameters are adjusted repeatedly to reduce the spatial aliasing in seismic reflection profiling. Furthermore, the inversion calculation cannot study the relations between the cable shape and working conditions. Dynamic analysis is proposed to predict the hydrophone positions and investigate these relations herein. The array cable is modeled by the lumped mass method with respect to the relative-velocity-element-frame. The results of the dynamic analysis and inversion calculation are verified using the recorded depth data. Although the cable shape by inversion calculation is the same as that by dynamic analysis, the cable depth by inversion calculation demonstrates an obvious shift in comparison with the depth data; meanwhile, the results obtained via dynamic analysis match well with the depth data. Additionally, three virtual maneuvers—diving and rising, depth change, and lateral current—are designed to study the relation between the cable shape and working conditions. The obtained results may help guide exploration and promote the development of exploration equipment.