Woods Hole Oceanographic' Institution

Mclane Research Laboratories, Inc.

Other

Kenneth W Doherty

John M Toole

Susumu Honjo

Craig D Taylor

Steven James Manganini

Frederik T Thwaites

John D Billings

Jeffrey K O'Brien

Neil L Brown

Daniel Frye

Alan Fougere

Bruce A Lancaster

Robert C Millard

Terence R Hammer

Daniel E Frye

The present invention relates to profiler systems and methods for observing and sensing aspects of a body of water at a plurality of depths. A water profiler is disclosed comprising, generally, a vessel body connected to an external mooring mechanism via an attachment mechanism, a drive mechanism for maneuvering the vessel body longitudinally about the mooring mechanism; an articulating mechanism; and a sensor array capable of measuring a parameter for study wherein the vessel body is capable of articulating about the mooring mechanism. In alternate embodiments, the articulation allows the vessel body to be placed in relation with the three dimensional current such that at least one sensor is positioned into the current so as to sample or measure undisturbed water. In alternate embodiments, hydrofoils or wings are mounted to the vessel body that can be manipulated to harness the current force and maneuver the vessel body.

Articulating moored profiler system

The present invention relates to profiler systems and methods for observing and sensing aspects of a body of water at a plurality of depths. A water profiler is disclosed comprising, generally, a vessel body connected to an external mooring cable via an attachment means, a drive means for maneuvering the vessel body longitudinally about the mooring cable; an articulating mechanism; and a sensor array capable of measuring a parameter for study wherein the vessel body is capable of articulating about the mooring cable. In alternate embodiments, the articulation allows the vessel body to be placed in relation with the three dimensional current such that at least one sensor is positioned into the current so as to sample or measure undisturbed water. In alternate embodiments, hydrofoils or wings are mounted to the vessel body that can be manipulated to harness the current force and maneuver the vessel body.

A filter assembly is provided for collecting samples in a fluid environment, the assembly utilizing a laminar convective flow to cause the flow of a preservative/fixative and a filtrate through a filter. A substantially concave dead space around the filter is flushed free of the preservative and the differential in density of the preservative and filtrate causes the more dense fluid to collect in the reservoir and preserve the collected specimen.

Fixation filter assembly

A sequential processing reactor vessel and method is disclosed for accelerated extraction and fractionation of chemical analytes from complex solid sample materials. The device and method provide for sequential extraction of elemental constituents from solid materials by sequentially contacting target samples within a single reaction vessel using a series of different reagents at temperatures as high as 150&deg; C. and pressures up to 150 psi to accelerate reactions. The aggressive chemical treatments provided by the disclosed device and method enable the complete digestion of solid samples in liquid analyte samples that can be directly analyzed by conventional spectrometry or other suitable methods. The disclosed device and method provide for efficient sample processing and accelerated reactions to significantly reduce processing times and costs for elemental analysis of solids while improving accuracy, precision and reliability of results compared to conventional devices and methods. The disclosed device and method are compatible with both conventional convection and radiant heating sources as well as microwave heating and can be readily adapted to marine, geological, environmental, industrial and research solids analysis applications.

Sequential processing reaction vessel for chemical fractionation and analysis

A sampling apparatus that allows multiple uncontaminated samples to be taken from hydrothermal vents and the oceanic or limnological water column. The apparatus includes a sampling nozzle for taking in the sample. A sample collection unit is in fluid communication with the sampling nozzle and includes at least one sampling module for the collection of a predetermined type of sample. A fluid intake module is in fluid communication with the sample collection unit and the sampling nozzle. The fluid intake module includes at least one pump for drawing a sample fluid through the sampling nozzle and sample collection unit. A control module is in electrical communication with the fluid intake module. The control module includes a micro-controller for controlling the fluid intake module and a computer readable memory for storing sampling data for use by a user. In operation, the sampling nozzle is moved into a desired sampling location and the micro-controller sends a signal to said fluid intake module to initiate collection of a sample. The fluid intake module then draws the sample fluid through said sampling nozzle and into said sample collection unit. The sampling module then stores a sample and the computer readable memory stores the sampling data for use by a user.

Sampling apparatus for collecting samples from underwater hydrothermal vents and the marine or limnological water column

The present invention provides a subsurface instrument and a system for the collection and transmission of deep ocean data utilizing standard buoy mooring lines. The system includes a moored surface buoy and a submerged data collection instrument both inductively coupled to the buoy cable. The instrument has a transducer responsive to the characteristics of seawater. A slave modem is interconnected to the transducer through an A/D converter allowing analog transducer signals to be converted to standard telephone modem signals. The modem signals are inductively coupled into the mooring cable and received by a master modem located in the buoy. The buoy may contain a satellite transceiver allowing transmission of the signals to a remote location. The subsurface instrument is battery powered and battery life is extended by powering down when the instrument is not in use. Upon receipt of a signal from the master modem or an internal timer, a wake-up circuit in the instrument is activated causing the transmission of ocean data to be initiated.

Inductively coupled underwater modem

A portable syringe dispenser system capable of holding one or more syringes containing different types of fluid medicine therein. Filled syringes, holding enough fluid medicine for multiple injections, are placed into syringe holders in the dispenser and inserted into a sterile mixing chamber. The dosage of each type of fluid medicine in each syringe is independently adjusted employing a dose adjusting indicator system. An activation system allows all doses of the fluid medicine to be simultaneously injected through a replaceable sterile needle. The sterile needle can remain on the dispenser system. The sterile needle maintains its sterility by sealing it with a sealing cap. This allows the needle to be reused. In addition, a dosage/time recording unit can be attached to the portable syringe dispensing system to accurately record at least the time, date and amount of fluid medicine injected. A plurality of these recordings can be made.

Portable syringe dispenser system

A water profiling apparatus having a streamlined body with a traction drive capable of repeatedly profiling along a moored or suspended cable or wire, for transporting sensing and sampling equipment through a body of water, such as an ocean, lake or river. The water profiling apparatus is able to operate unattended on a pre-programmed schedule over long periods of time, profiling to full ocean depth, with the option of changing its schedule depending on the observations it makes or operating situations encountered.

Moored water profiling apparatus

A frame, freely-falling on a cable or wire, for transporting sensing and sampling equipment at a near constant velocity through a body of water, such as an ocean, lake or river. Said apparatus' downward motion is stopped at or near the end of the cable or wire, and the apparatus is subsequently retrieved by raising the cable or making the frame buoyant.

Free-fall, wire-guided hydrographic profiler

An automated water sampling system collects multiple samples of sample water at a remote site. A multiport valve provides a plurality of ports and respective port inlets. A sample water intake line is coupled to the respective port inlets. A plurality of sample receivers or sample containers are coupled to respective ports of the multiport valve. At least one container of cleaning liquid is also coupled to a port of the multiport valve. An output manifold provides a plurality of manifold outlets coupled to the respective sampler receivers and to at least one container of cleaning liquid. A pumping water output line is coupled to the plurality of manifold outlets. A reversible pump is coupled in the water output line for pumping and drawing sample water through the intake line into selected sample receivers and for pumping and pushing cleaning liquid from said at least one cleaning liquid container out the sample water intake line. The multiport valve opens and closes the ports one at a time. The water sample receivers are each constructed as an elongate container having a sample water opening at one end, a pumping water opening at the other end, and a slidable sealing piston container within and slidable between the ends of the elongate container in response to differential pressure across the piston. The cleaning liquid container is similarly constructed and a flushing liquid container may also be coupled to a port of the multiport valve for flushing away the cleaning liquid.

Automated water sample collecting system

A multiport valve for a water transfer system passes water, drawn by a pump, through a plurality of collectors. A programmable controller controls operation of the pump and a stepper motor which positions the multiport valve in a time series sequence according to user instructions. The multiport valve is formed with a first valve head having an intake port and multiple separate outlet ports. The respective outlet ports are connected to the respective collectors at respective collector inlets. A first rotor bears against the first valve head and forms a seal between the first rotor and first valve head. The first rotor is formed with a first coupling channel for coupling the intake port of the first valve head to different outlet ports according to the rotational position of the first rotor. The multiport valve incorporates a second valve head formed with an exhaust port and a plurality of separate inlet ports coupled to the respective plurality of collectors at respective collector outlets. A second rotor bears against the second valve head substantially forming a seal between the second rotor and second valve head. The second rotor is formed with a second coupling channel for coupling the exhaust port to different inlet ports according to the rotational position of the second rotor for exhausting water.

Growing community of inventors

Falmouth, MA, United States of America

Kenneth W Doherty