Optical sediment trap sensor and wiper assembly

A submersible system, comprising:

• a submersible vehicle having a housing;
• a sensor assembly coupled to the housing of the submersible vehicle, the sensor assembly including a housing portion, wherein the housing portion defines a detection surface for collecting particles;
• and
• a wiper member coupled to the sensor assembly, wherein the wiper member is configured to move between at least a first position, where the wiper member surrounds the detection surface, and a second position, where the wiper member is spaced apart from the detection surface.

A method of operating a sensor assembly, the method comprising:

• coupling a sensor assembly to a submersible vehicle, wherein the sensor assembly includes:
• a source portion having a housing, wherein the source portion is configured to generate an optical beam;
• a detect portion having a housing spaced from the housing of the source portion, wherein the housing of the detect portion defines a detection surface for receiving the generated optical beam;
• and
• a wiper member coupled to the detect portion, wherein the wiper member is movably coupled to the detect portion such that the wiper member can move between at least a first position, where the wiper member surrounds the detection surface, and a second position, where the wiper member is spaced apart from the detection surface;
• deploying the submersible vehicle;
• collecting, with the detection surface, particles;
• measuring, with the sensor assembly, the particles collected by the detection surface;
• and
• moving the wiper member from the first position to the second position.