Hybrid passive/automated flow proportional fluid sampler
OwnerDamien J. Smith, Joseph A. Rainwater +1inventors
InventorsDamien J. Smith, Joseph A. Rainwater, Jan Boll
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Abstract
The invention discloses a flow proportional fluid sampler. A turbine pump unit has a pump that is powered by the fluid flow of the test site, such as a stream, thereby eliminating the need for outside power for the pump and proportioning the volume of sample taken to the flow velocity. The invention also incorporates a simple pulse counter that monitor's the revolutions of the turbine propeller and can be used to measure velocity. The invention also provides a collection and distribution unit that can collect and store numerous samples in a small, light-weight container.
Claims6
A fluid sampler turbine pump unit comprising:
- a housing forming an open cylinder and having a first open end and a second open end an axis,
- an axle in the cylinder and located along the axis, wherein the axle further comprises a propeller end and an eccentric end,
- a propeller located in the cylinder and mounted on the propeller end of the axle,
- an eccentric mounted at the eccentric end of the axle, wherein the eccentric is driven directly by the axle,
- a rod having a first end and a second end,
- wherein the first end rides on and is actuated by the eccentric end, and
- a pump connected to the second end of the rod the pump having an inlet to draw fluid in and an outlet to pump fluid out.
A fluid sampler comprising:
- a housing having a first open and and a second open end and an axis,
- an axle running on the axis and having an eccentric, wherein the eccentric actuates a rod, the rod having an eccentric end actuated by the eccentric and an actuation end,
- a turbine mounted on the axle, and
- a pump connected to the actuation end of the rod, the pump having an inlet to draw fluid in from a fluid source and, an outlet conduit to pump the fluid out,
- a collector to receive the fluid from the outlet conduit, and a valve to keep the fluid in the collector,
- a second fluid conduit connected to the collector to receive the fluid released from tho collector when the valve is opened,
- a distributor connected to the second fluid conduit to direct the fluid received from the second fluid conduit to one of a plurality of sample containers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.