Feedback-controlled oxygen regulation system for benthic flux chambers and method for maintaining a constant volume of oxygen therefor
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorDavid B. Chadwick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for maintaining oxygen levels in an isolated volume f fluid (e.g. water) is provided. The method and apparatus are adaptable for use with a benthic flux sampling device and rely upon periodically measuring the oxygen concentration in the isolated volume with an oxygen sensor system, monitoring the oxygen sensor system with a control unit, and automatically dispensing oxygen into the isolated volume of fluid with an oxygenation system to maintain a predetermined constant level of oxygenation that corresponds to the ambient.
Claims22
An apparatus for oxygenation of an isolated volume of fluid comprising:
- a container disposed to isolate said isolated volume from ambient water and air;
- a sensor system mounted on said apparatus in communication with said isolated volume of fluid to monitor oxygen concentrations thereof;
- an oxygenation system mounted on said apparatus in communication with said isolated volume of fluid to deliver oxygen thereto;
- and
- a control unit mounted on said apparatus in electronic communication with said sensor system and said oxygenation system to activate said oxygenation system when oxygen concentrations in said isolated volume of fluid fall below a predetermined minimum level and to deactivate said oxygenation system when oxygen concentrations in said isolated volume of fluid rise above a predetermined maximum level.
An apparatus for maintaining ambient oxygen concentrations in a volume of water comprising:
- a container to isolate said volume of water near an ocean floor;
- an oxygen sensor system mounted on said container in fluid communication with ambient water and the isolated volume of water to provide initial ambient oxygen concentration level measurements in surrounding water and to provide periodic oxygen concentration measurements in said isolated volume of water in said container;
- a control unit in electronic communication with said oxygen sensor to continuously monitor said initial ambient oxygen concentration measurements and said periodic oxygen concentration measurements of said oxygen sensor;
- and
- an oxygenation system in electronic communication with said control unit and in fluid communication with said container, said oxygenation system includes an oxygen storage tank connected to a pressure regulator in fluid communication with an oxygen control valve and an oxygen diffuser to automatically deliver oxygen to said isolated volume of water in said container to maintain a oxygen concentration level within said container that is substantially the same as said ambient oxygen concentration level.
A method for maintaining a constant oxygen concentration in an isolated volume of fluid comprising:
- measuring an ambient oxygen concentration in ambient fluid and an isolated volume oxygen concentration in said isolated volume of fluid with an oxygen sensor;
- monitoring said oxygen sensor with a control unit attached in electronic communication with said oxygen sensor;
- and
- selectively dispensing oxygen into said isolated fluid with an oxygenation system attached to said control unit by electronically activating said oxygenation system with said control unit to maintain a constant said isolated volume oxygen concentration in said isolated volume of fluid that substantially corresponds to said ambient oxygen concentration in said ambient fluid, said oxygenation system having an oxygen storage tank, a pressure regulator, an oxygen control valve and an oxygen dispenser.
A method according to 18 in which said oxygen control valve is capable of actuation between an open and a closed position to respectively pressurize and de-pressurize said oxygen dispenser.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.