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US 6,000,481 AGranted
Method and apparatus for environmental sampling
AssigneeSimulProbe Technologies, Inc.
InventorsNoah Heller, Jeffrey Gamble
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sampling device capable of collecting fluid and soil samples includes a sensor for measuring a fluid parameter. The sensor is coupled to a monitor which records the fluid parameter measurements. A regenerative gas is passed through the sensor to regenerate the sensor so that a number of measurements may be taken. A movable drive tip covers an opening through which the fluid sample is collected.
Claims19
A sampling method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a sampling device having a fluid entrance, a soil sample chamber, and a fluid parameter sensor;
- driving the sampling device into a subsurface so that a soil sample enters the sample chamber;
- sensing a fluid parameter with the fluid parameter sensor;
- contacting the fluid parameter sensor with a regenerating fluid after the sensing step, the regenerating fluid enabling the fluid parameter sensor to be used for a subsequent sampling;
- and
- sensing another fluid parameter after the contacting step;
- and
- removing the sampling device from the subsurface after the step of sensing another fluid parameter.
5 more elements
A sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample, comprising:
- a body including an exterior surface, a soil sample chamber;
- a fluid parameter sensor mounted to the body, the fluid parameter sensor being configured to detect a fluid parameter;
- a fluid entrance in the exterior surface for admitting a fluid sample;
- and
- a fluid channel coupled to the fluid entrance and the fluid parameter sensor;
- and
- a vacuum pump coupled to the fluid parameter sensor.
4 more elements
A sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample having a fluid parameter sensor
- a body having a soil sample chamber;
- a fluid parameter sensor mounted to the body, the fluid parameter sensor being configured to detect a fluid parameter;
- a fluid entrance for admitting a fluid sample;
- and
- a fluid channel coupled to the fluid entrance and the fluid parameter sensor;
- a vacuum pump coupled to the fluid parameter sensor;
- and
- a source of regenerative gas fluidly coupled to the fluid parameter sensor, the source of regenerative gas having a gas selected to regenerate the fluid parameter sensor for conducting a number of fluid sampling events.
5 more elements
A sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample having a fluid parameter sensor
- a body having a soil sample chamber, a movable tip, an opening leading to the soil sample chambers, the movable tip being movable from a first position covering the opening to a second position spaced apart from the opening;
- a fluid parameter sensor mounted to the body, the fluid parameter sensor being configured to detect a fluid parameter;
- a fluid entrance for admitting a fluid sample;
- and
- a fluid channel coupled to the fluid entrance and the fluid parameter sensor.
2 more elements
A sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample having a fluid parameter sensor
- a body having a soil sample chamber;
- a fluid parameter sensor mounted to the body, the fluid parameter sensor being configured to detect a fluid parameter, the fluid parameter sensor mounted to a shock absorber which is mounted to the body;
- a fluid entrance for admitting a fluid sample;
- and
- a fluid channel coupled to the fluid entrance and the fluid parameter sensor.
2 more elements
A method of fluid sampling, comprising:
- providing a sampling device having a fluid entrance and a soil sample chamber;
- passing a first fluid sample through the fluid entrance;
- driving the sampling device into a subsurface after the first passing step while preventing a soil sample from being forced into the soil sample chamber;
- passing a second fluid sample through the fluid entrance after the first driving step;
- driving the sampling device into the subsurface after the second passing step thereby forcing a soil sample into the soil sample chamber;
- and
- removing the sampling device from the subsurface.
4 more elements
A method of fluid sampling, comprising:
- providing a sampling device having a fluid entrance, a soil sample chamber;
- passing a first fluid sample through the fluid entrance;
- directing the first fluid sample to a fluid parameter sensor coupled to the sampling device, the fluid parameter sensor being configured to measure a fluid parameter;
- driving the sampling device into a subsurface after the first passing step;
- passing a second fluid sample through the fluid entrance after the first driving step;
- driving the sampling device into the subsurface after the second passing step thereby forcing a soil sample into the soil sample chamber;
- and
- removing the sampling device from the subsurface.
5 more elements
A method of fluid sampling, comprising:
- providing a sampling device having a fluid entrance and a soil sample chamber;
- passing a first fluid sample through the fluid entrance;
- driving the sampling device into a subsurface after the first passing step;
- passing a second fluid sample through the fluid entrance after the first driving step;
- directing the first and second fluid samples to a fluid parameter sensor coupled to the sampling device, the fluid parameter sensor being configured to measure a fluid parameter;
- and
- flowing a regenerative fluid into contact with the fluid parameter sensor after the first passing step and before the second passing step.
4 more elements
A sampling method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a sampling device having a soil sample chamber and a movable tip, the movable tip being movable from a first position, which covers an opening leading to the soil sample chamber, to a second position which Partially exposes the opening and a third position, which is spaced further apart from the opening than the second position;
- driving the sampling device into a subsurface;
- moving the movable tip from the first position to the second position after the driving step;
- collecting a fluid sample through the opening with the tip in the second position;
- and
- moving the tip to the third position and driving the sampling device into the subsurface after the moving step so that a soil sample enters the sample chamber.
3 more elements
A sampling method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a sampling device having a soil sample chamber and a drive cone, the drive cone being movable between a first position, which covers an opening leading to the soil sample chamber, and a second position, which is spaced-apart from the opening, sampling device further having a fluid sample chamber and a fluid parameter sensor;
- driving the sampling device into a subsurface;
- moving the drive cone from the first position to the second position after the driving step;
- collecting a fluid sample through the opening and into the fluid sample chamber after the moving step, the collecting step including contacting the fluid parameter sensor with the fluid sample;
- and
- driving the sampling device into the subsurface so that a soil sample enters the sample chamber.
3 more elements
A sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample, comprising:
- a body having a soil sample chamber;
- a drive tip movable between a first position, which covers an opening leading to the soil sample chamber, a second position which partially exposes the opening and a third position, which is spaced further apart from the opening than the second position to create a soil entrance into the sample chamber;
- and
- a fluid path for collecting a fluid sample, the fluid path including a fluid entrance including at least a part of the opening partially exposed when the tip is in the second position.
1 more element
A sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample, comprising:
- a body having a soil sample chamber;
- a drive tip movable from a first position, which covers an opening leading to the soil sample chamber, and a second position, which is spaced apart from the opening;
- a fluid path for collecting a fluid sample, the fluid path including a fluid entrance including at least a part of the opening;
- a fluid parameter sensor configured to measure a fluid parameter;
- a vacuum pump coupled to the fluid parameter sensor;
- and
- a source of regenerative gas coupled to the fluid parameter sensor, the source of regenerative gas being a gas selected to regenerate the fluid parameter sensor for conducting a number of fluid sampling events.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.