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US 11,768,131 B2Granted
Hands-free liquid sampling methods and apparatus
AssigneeDuke Energy Corporation
InventorsIsaac John Medford, Maverick James Raber, Jason Chadwick Green
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Liquid sampling apparatus and methods enable hands free collection of low-level metals and other contaminant-sensitive samples from surface waters via drone or other remote delivery systems. The apparatus and methods allow for limited exposure to contaminants during a sampling process by remotely opening and closing sample containers while submerged under water at a sampling location.
Claims19
A liquid sampling apparatus, comprising:
- a base comprising at least one bottle holder;
- an upper portion;
- at least one elongate rod coupling the base and the upper portion in spaced-apart relation to each other;
- and
- an intermediate portion movably secured to the at least one elongate rod between the base and the upper portion, the intermediate portion comprising:
- a float configured to provide buoyancy to the liquid sampling apparatus such that the liquid sampling apparatus floats on a liquid surface;
- and
- a cap engagement apparatus configured to remove a cap from a bottle supported within the at least one bottle holder, and to resecure the cap to the bottle, wherein the cap engagement apparatus comprises a socket configured to releasably engage the cap.
5 more elements
A liquid sampling apparatus, comprising:
- a base comprising at least one bottle holder;
- an upper portion;
- at least one elongate rod coupling the base and the upper portion in spaced-apart relation to each other;
- an intermediate portion movably secured to the at least one elongate rod between the base and the upper portion, the intermediate portion comprising:
- a float configured to provide buoyancy to the liquid sampling apparatus such that the liquid sampling apparatus floats on a liquid surface;
- and
- a cap engagement apparatus configured to remove a cap from a bottle supported within the at least one bottle holder, and to resecure the cap to the bottle, the cap engagement apparatus comprising a socket configured to releasably engage the cap, an electric motor configured to rotate the socket, and an electronic controller operable to control operation of the electric motor;
- and
- a liquid detection switch configured to detect when the liquid sampling apparatus is in the liquid;
- wherein the electronic controller controls operation of the electric motor such that the cap engagement apparatus removes the cap from the bottle in response to a signal received from the liquid detection switch.
7 more elements
A liquid sampling method, comprising:
- lowering a floatable sampling apparatus into a liquid, the floatable sampling apparatus comprising a base supporting a bottle, and a rotatable cap engagement apparatus configured to threadingly remove a cap from the bottle and to threadingly resecure the cap to the bottle;
- threadingly removing the cap from the bottle via the rotatable cap engagement apparatus, thereby causing the bottle to fill with the liquid;
- and lifting the floatable sampling apparatus from the liquid, thereby causing the rotatable cap engagement apparatus to move downwardly to engage the bottle and threadingly resecure the cap to the bottle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.