IMPROVED SENSORS AND AN IMPROVED DATA SENSING AND RECORDING APPARATUS

摘要

The apparatus (40) has a sensor (41) disposed on the first end (42) of an elongate connector (43) by means of fixed interface link (79). A recorder un it (44) is disposed on the second end (45) of the connector (43) opposite the first end (42). The connector (43) is bendable within a predefined curvature range. When the apparatus (40) is deployed into the sea, it is adapted to fr ee- fall through the body of water and to land on the seafloor such that the sensor (41) is spaced apart from the recorder unit (44). The length of the connector (43) is dynamically variable within a predefined range so as to eradicate or minimise coupling of any vibration of the recorder unit (44) to the sensor (41). The physical separation of the sensor (41) and the recorder unit (44), together with the mechanical characteristics of the connector (43 ), ensure that the sensor (41) is substantially vibrationally de-coupled from t he recorder unit (44). In other words, the mass of the recorder unit (44) does not inhibit the sensor (41) from responding to seismic waves, and any vibration of the recorder unit (44) (for example due to any water currents that may be flowing in the vicinity of the recorder unit (44) ) is not substantially transmitted to the sensor (41). Hence, the connector (43) constitutes a positive mechanical connection between the sensor (41) and the recorder unit (44) so far as maximum separation distance is concerned, howev er not so far as seismic or flow induced vibrations are concerned.