Voltage leakage detection for serially connected electrical nodes in a seismic surveying system

Abstract

A seismic survey apparatus includes a plurality of serially connected electrical nodes; a power supply capable of supplying power to the electrical nodes and detecting a voltage leakage among the electrical nodes; and a software component capable of locating the leakage upon its detection. A method for use in seismic surveying includes powering a plurality of serially connected electrical nodes in a seismic surveying system; automatically detecting a voltage leakage among the electrical nodes on the power domain; and automatically locating the detected voltage leakage.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for use in seismic surveying, comprising:
 powering a plurality of serially connected electrical nodes in a seismic surveying system;   detecting a voltage leakage among the electrical nodes on the power domain; and   locating the detected voltage leakage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein powering the electrical nodes includes powering the electrical nodes from a single side. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein powering the electrical nodes includes powering the electrical nodes from a both sides. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein powering the electrical nodes comprises powering at least one of seismic sensors, power supplies, and data routers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting the voltage leakage includes instructing the electrical nodes to open a respective power switch therefore. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the voltage leakage includes detecting an earth leakage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting the voltage leakage includes detecting an error voltage generated by the voltage leakage. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein locating the detected voltage leakage includes performing a linear search or a binary search. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use in seismic surveying, comprising:
 means for powering a plurality of serially connected electrical nodes in a seismic surveying system;   means for detecting a voltage leakage among the electrical nodes on the power domain; and   means for locating the detected voltage leakage.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powering means includes means for powering the electrical nodes from a single side. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powering means includes powering the electrical nodes from a both sides. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powering means includes means for powering at least one of seismic sensors, power supplies and data routers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein detection means leakage includes means for instructing the electrical nodes to open a respective power switch therefore. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the detection means includes means for detecting an earth leakage. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the detection means includes means for detecting an error voltage generated by the voltage leakage. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the location means includes means for performing a linear search or a binary search.