Instrumentation probe for in situ measurement and testing of seabed

Abstract

A probe assembly ( 1 ) suitable for use with apparatus for use in the investigation and/or analysis of an underwater floor of a body of water such as, for example, a seabed. The apparatus includes a depth penetration device ( 10 ), and an underwater floor testing tool ( 11, 12 ). The probe assembly ( 1 ) includes a first coupling for operatively connecting the probe to the depth penetration device ( 10 ) and a second coupling for operatively connecting the probe assembly ( 1 ) to the underwater floor testing tool ( 11, 12 ). The probe assembly ( 1 ) further includes a signal processing module ( 5 ) for processing information from the tool, a data transmission module ( 2 ) for the transmission of data from the signal processing module ( 5 ), a power source ( 3 ) for operating the data transmission module ( 2 ) and the signal processing module ( 5 ) and a switch module ( 4 ) for selectively connecting from the power source ( 3 ) to the data transmission module ( 2 ) and signal processing module ( 5 ).

1 . Apparatus for in situ geochemical measurement of an underwater bed of a body of water, the apparatus comprising:
 a seabed platform having a depth penetration device;   an underwater bed testing tool adapted to be received within a borehole in the underwater bed; and   a probe assembly adapted to be coupled between the depth penetration device and the underwater bed testing tool and to be received within the borehole;   wherein, the probe assembly is configured to receive information from the underwater bed testing tool and wirelessly transmit data via the depth penetration device to the seabed platform.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to claim , 1 , wherein the probe assembly comprises:
 a power source module for powering the probe assembly and the underwater bed testing tool.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the probe assembly further comprises:
 a signal processing module for processing the information received from the underwater bed testing tool; and.   a data transmission module for wirelessly transmitting the data via the depth penetration device to the seabed platform.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe assembly includes an acoustic transmitter for the wireless transmission of data as an acoustic signal via the depth penetration device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , further including a receiving microphone near an end of the depth penetration device remote from the probe assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the receiving microphone is positioned in a liquid-filled enclosure which is pressure-equalized to ambient water pressure at the underwater bed of the body of water. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe assembly includes a wireless communications device for electromagnetic or magnetic wireless communication between the probe assembly and a further wireless communications device provided as part of the seabed platform. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the probe assembly further comprises:
 a switch device configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power source module to the data transmission module, the signal processing module or the underwater bed testing tool.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the switch device is actuated when the probe assembly is in the proximity of the seabed platform. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the switch device is a self-actuating switch device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the switch device is responsive to a magnetic field to cause the switch device to electrically connect or disconnect the power source module, the magnetic field generated in the region of the seabed platform. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic field is generated by a magnet assembly mounted to the seabed platform. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the switch device includes a magnetically transparent housing, an electrically insulated switch body within the magnetically transparent housing, and a switch element. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the signal processing module, the power source module and the data transmission module are arranged end to end, with a first coupling to the depth penetration device and a second coupling to the underwater bed testing tool positioned at or near opposite ends of the probe assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the data transmission module is positioned at the end near the first coupling and the signal processing module is positioned at the other end near the second coupling. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the depth penetration device comprises a drillstring. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the drillstring is a variable length of interconnected drill pipes that are stored on the seabed platform before use as part of the drillstring. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe assembly is covered by an extension tube that provides an annular passage between an outer surface of the probe assembly and an inner surface of the extension tube. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the extension tube is connected at one end to the underwater bed testing tool. 
     
     
         20 . A method for in situ geotechnical measurement of an underwater bed of a body of water, the method comprising the steps of:
 deploying a seabed platform having a depth penetration device to the underwater bed;   selecting an underwater bed testing tool and coupling a probe assembly between the underwater bed testing tool and the depth penetration device;   deploying the underwater bed testing tool, the probe assembly and at least part of the depth penetration device into a borehole in the underwater bed;   receiving information at the probe assembly from the underwater bed testing tool; and   wirelessly transmitting data from the probe assembly via the depth penetration device to the seabed platform.