Self-propelled sensor apparatus for in situ analysis of enviromental parameters
AssigneeUniversity of South Florida
InventorsDavid P Fries, Michelle L Janowiak, George Steimle, Heather A Broadbent
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Abstract
A submersible, self-propelled apparatus for analyzing a component contained in a liquid medium. The submersible, self-propelled apparatus uses kinetic energy of the apparatus to drive a liquid under analysis through the apparatus. This is accomplished by use of a conveyance system that is attached to the analytical system of the apparatus. A sensor system is used to analyze the component collected within the confines of an analysis chamber, a part of the analysis system. The invention also includes a method of using the analytical apparatus.
Claims25
A submersible, self-propelled apparatus for analysis of a component contained in a liquid medium, the apparatus comprising:
- an analytical system comprising
- a liquid inlet to receive liquid from the liquid medium, a liquid outlet connected to the liquid inlet via a liquid conduit that defines a liquid pathway, wherein the liquid outlet dispels at least a portion of the liquid medium received by the liquid inlet, an analysis chamber connected to the liquid conduit, positioned intermediate to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet in the liquid pathway and having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the analysis chamber houses the component, a first separator positioned at the proximal end of the analysis chamber in the liquid pathway to at least temporarily prevent unwanted material from entering the analysis chamber, a second separator positioned at the distal end of the analysis chamber in the liquid pathway to at least temporarily prevent the component from exiting the analysis chamber, and a sensor system positioned within the analysis chamber and in communication with the liquid pathway to sense the component;
- and
- a conveyance system to move the apparatus through the liquid medium and facilitate liquid flow through the liquid conduit when the apparatus is submersed in the liquid medium.
A method of analyzing a component contained in a liquid medium using a submersible, self-propelled apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing a submersible, self-propelled apparatus comprising:
- an analytical system comprising
- a liquid inlet to receive liquid from a liquid medium,
- a liquid outlet connected to the liquid inlet via a liquid conduit that defines a liquid pathway, wherein the liquid outlet dispels at least a portion of the liquid received by the liquid inlet,
- an analysis chamber connected to the liquid conduit, positioned intermediate to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet in the liquid pathway and having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the analysis chamber houses the component,
- a first separator positioned at the proximal end of the analysis chamber in the liquid pathway to at least temporarily prevent unwanted material from entering the analysis chamber,
- a second separator positioned at the distal end of the analysis chamber in the liquid pathway to at least temporarily prevent the component from exiting the analysis chamber, and
- a sensor system positioned within the analysis chamber and in communication with the liquid pathway to sense the component, and
- a conveyance system to move the analytical system through the liquid medium and facilitate liquid flow through the liquid conduit;
- introducing the analytical system into the liquid medium to permit the flow of the liquid medium through the analytical system;
- and
- recording data on the component contained in the liquid medium using the sensor system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.