Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank are described herein. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for detecting oil proximate to a body of ice is disclosed herein. An example system includes an energy emitter disposed proximate to a first surface of a body of ice. An energy detector is disposed proximate to a second surface of the body of ice. The energy detector is used to map a distribution of oil proximate to the body of ice based, at least in part, on differences in energy transmitted through the body of ice.
Abstract:
An optical sensor to measure the turbidity of wash water in a household washing machine or dishwasher, includes a housing having a housing interior containing a measurement module having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, the measurement module defining a measurement light path which extends from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element and passes outside the housing over a part of its path length. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are arranged together in a first subspace of the housing interior, and the measurement light path extends over a part of its path length through at least one second subspace of the housing interior, which is sealed from the first subspace. All the electrical/electronic components of the measurement module are fitted in the first subspace, so that any ingress of wash water into the second subspace does not compromise the electrical functionality of the sensor.
Abstract:
The systems, methods, and apparatus described herein use a combination of video and flow cytometric technology to both capture images of organisms for identification and measure chlorophyll fluorescence associated with each image. Images can be automatically classified with software based on a support vector machine, while the measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence allow us to more efficiently analyze phytoplankton cells by triggering on chlorophyll-containing particles. Quantitation of chlorophyll fluorescence in large phytoplankton cells enables the interpretation of patterns in bulk chlorophyll data, and the discrimination of heterotrophic and phototrophic cells.
Abstract:
A ring lamp includes a light source having a first hollow cylinder with a lighting device disposed therein. The light source has an emitting surface with a light-emitting direction oriented toward an axis of the hollow cylinder. The lamp also includes a light directing device configured to direct light emission. The light directing device includes a lens system having a lens formed as a second hollow cylinder and configured to focus light into a radial plane which is orthogonal to the axis. The lens system has a ring-shaped aperture diaphragm disposed centrally in an optical path of the light emission behind the lens. The emitting surface of the light source and the lens system have a same length, are coaxial and axially aligned with each other. A radial surface which is defined by an inner radius of the lens system and the length of the lens system spans a delimited volume.
Abstract:
A multichannel fluorosensor includes an optical module and an electronic module combined in a watertight housing with an underwater connector. The fluorosensor has an integral calibrator for periodical sensitivity validation of the fluorosensor. The optical module has one or several excitation channels and one or several emission channels that use a mutual focusing system. To increase efficiency, the excitation and emission channels each have a micro-collimator made with one or more ball lenses. Each excitation channel has a light emitting diode and an optical filter. Each emission channel has a photodiode with a preamplifier and an optical filter. The electronic module connects directly to the optical module and includes a lock-in amplifier, a power supply and a controller with an A/D converter and a connector. The calibrator provides a response proportional to the excitation intensity, and matches with spectral parameter of fluorescence for the analyzed fluorescent substance.
Abstract:
A high intake, defined excitation, vertical profiling survey bioluminescence bathyphotometer system designed to measure, from a statistically significant sample with a calibrated hydromechanical stimulus, (1) the bioluminescence of phytoplankton and zooplankton organisms in the oceanic water column to depths of 400 meters in absolute units of photons per second per volume (intensity) or photons per volume (total flux), (2) the concentration of bioluminescent population in flashes per volume, (3) the average light intensity per bioluminescent event, and (4) population flash dynamics.
Abstract:
A computer controlled fluorometer device and method of operating same, said device being made to include a pump flash source and a probe flash source and one or more sample chambers in combination with a light condenser lens system and associated filters and reflectors and collimators, as well as signal conditioning and monitoring means and a programmable computer means and a software programmable source of background irradiance that is operable according to the method of the invention to rapidly, efficiently and accurately measure photosynthetic activity by precisely monitoring and recording changes in fluorescence yield produced by a controlled series of predetermined cycles of probe and pump flashes from the respective probe and pump sources that are controlled by the computer means.