Tools and methods for cleaning survey cables

Abstract

At least some disclosed survey cleaning tool embodiments include a cable guide configured to lift a survey cable from the water and to guide it into a scraper mechanism that is configured to clean debris from the survey cable. At least some disclosed method embodiments include moving a cleaning tool along a survey cable deployed in a body of water; lifting the survey cable to a surface of the body of water; and rotating two or more scraper wheels against the survey cable. Some disclosed method embodiments may augment or replace the scraper wheels with two or more scraper blades.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one cable guide configured to lift a first portion of a survey cable out of a body of water in which the survey cable is deployed such that other portions on each side of the first portion remain submerged in the body of water; and   a cleaning portion that includes one or more scraper devices configured to scrape the first portion of the survey cable as the apparatus moves relative to the survey cable.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a lever element configured to cause retraction of at least one of the one or more scraper devices in response to contacting an increased-diameter portion of the survey cable.   
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a housing for at least one of the one or more scraper devices;   a spring element that presses the scraper device against the survey cable; and   a lever mechanism that includes a lever with a projection that causes the lever mechanism to retract the scraper device within the housing while the projection is in contact with an increased-diameter portion of the survey cable.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the cable guide is attached to the cleaning portion with a flexible connection. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein to lift the first portion of the survey cable, the apparatus is configured to pass the survey cable over a roller mechanism. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the apparatus is configured to use the roller mechanism to drive rotation of the one or more scraper devices. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the cleaning portion includes one or more compliant arms configured to press the one or more scraper devices against the survey cable. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the one or more scraper devices include at least one of a scraper wheel or a scraper blade. 
     
     
         49 . A method comprising:
 moving a cleaning tool along a marine survey cable towed behind a survey vessel in a body of water;   lifting a first portion of the survey cable out of the body of water such that other portions on each side of the first portion remain submerged in the body of water; and   scraping the first portion of the survey cable, using one or more scraper devices.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 retracting at least one of the one or more scraper devices in response to a projecting element contacting an increased-diameter portion of the survey cable.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the lifting includes passing the survey cable over a roller mechanism. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising driving rotation of the one or more scraper devices using the roller mechanism. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the one or more scraper devices include at least one of a scraper wheel or a scraper blade. 
     
     
         54 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one cable guide configured to lift a first portion of a survey cable to the surface of a body of water in which the survey cable is deployed, wherein to lift the first portion, the cable guide is configured to pass the survey cable over a roller mechanism; and   a cleaning portion that includes one or more scraper devices configured to scrape the first portion of the survey cable as the apparatus moves relative to the survey cable.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 a lever element configured to cause retraction of at least one of the one or more scraper devices in response to contacting an increased-diameter portion of the survey cable.   
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 a housing for at least one of the one or more scraper devices;   a spring element that presses the scraper device against the survey cable; and   a lever mechanism that includes a lever with a projection that causes the lever mechanism to retract the scraper device within the housing while the projection is in contact with an increased-diameter portion of the survey cable.   
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the cable guide is attached to the cleaning portion with a flexible connection. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the apparatus is configured to use the roller mechanism to drive rotation of the one or more scraper devices. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the cleaning portion includes one or more compliant arms configured to press the one or more scraper devices against the survey cable. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the one or more scraper devices include at least one of a scraper wheel or a scraper blade.