Abstract:
A low cost sensing system that can measure both chlorophyll concentration and turbidity is provided. The system is an optical system that utilizes at least three light sensors for measuring side-scattered and forward scattered light, as well as fluorescence. The system is able to take optical density measurements, steady state fluorescence measurements and maximum fluorescence measurements, and can be configured for wireless control and data transmission. The system may also be housed in one or more fluidtight housings so as to make it submersible.
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:
An apparatus for performing real-time analysis of a subterranean formation fluid includes a light source configured to transmit at least a sample signal through a sample of the subterranean formation fluid and a reference signal, at least one photodetector configured to continuously detect the sample and reference signals, and an electronics assembly configured to compensate for drift in the detected sample signal in real-time based on the value of the detected reference signal.
Abstract:
An apparatus for performing real-time analysis of a subterranean formation fluid includes a light source configured to transmit at least a sample signal through a sample of the subterranean formation fluid and a reference signal, at least one photodetector configured to continuously detect the sample and reference signals, and an electronics assembly configured to compensate for drift in the detected sample signal in real-time based on the value of the detected reference signal.
Abstract:
A bathyphotometer system is described for detecting photoluminescent signals excited by a grid disposed in a marine vehicle. The system uses photodiodes to convert the optical signals into electrical signals which are sampled, integrated and coupled to output terminals for transmission to a surface host vehicle. In one embodiment the signals are digitized and encoded as FSK tones for transmission to the surface host vehicle.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for optically measuring scalar irradiance or incident flux of radiant energy and for optically measuring naturally occurring chlorophyll fluorescence or upwelling radiance in a parcel of water in a natural setting. From a comparison of the two measurements, rate of primary photosynthetic production is calculated by appropriately programmed computer means. Readout means are provided to indicate the rate of primary production. Further, concentrations of chlorophyll that generate the primary production are also determined by means of the apparatus of this invention. The method of this invention, employing measurement instruments of the type disclosed, enables the determination of concentrations of chlorophyll and primary production in parcels of water.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom. The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor. Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environmentsuch as marine life, turbidity, etc.
Abstract:
A submersible fluorometer of the type having a source transmitting light pulses into the fluid in which the fluorometer is submersed to cause material in suspension to fluoresce and a fluoroescence detector, wherein a second detector is used to measure the intensity of light output of the source during each pulse of light, the outputs of the fluorescence detector and the second detector are sampled during each pulse of light and a ratioing circuit is used to determine the intensity of the fluorescence relative to the intensity of the light causing fluorescence. This arrangement compensates the output for both short and long term drift effects particularly in the light source. Preferably both the light transmitted to the said fluid and the light received therefrom is filtered, in the first case to remove light having wavelengths equal to or longer than that of the fluorescence and in the second case to remove light having wavelengths shorter than that of the fluoroscence.
Abstract:
An onboard power supply and metering unit is connected, via an overboard cable e.g., 1000 meters long, to an underwater light-pulse projecting unit and a fluoroescence-sensing receiver unit. The operating power is transmitted to the underwater units by an onboard constant-current source, instead of a voltage source. Likewise, the output signal of the receiver unit is transmitted through the cable in the form of a current, not a voltage. The current of the receiver's photodiode is integrated, the peak value of the integral determined and held, this held value logarithmized, the logarithmized value sampled and held, and the held voltage converted to a current constituting the output signal. The offset of the peak detector and the input stage of the log amplifier are balanced automatically, by a balancing signal applied during pulse measurements, but derived between pulse measurements. The balancing signal is derived by integrating a signal derived from the log amplifier's output signal, and is applied to the input of the peak detector, with the peak detector converted to simple voltage-follower operation during the deriving of the balancing signal.