As a conventional antifouling measure to prevent adherence of aquatic organisms to a submersible sensor unit, a grease containing a stimulant, such as mustard, capable of repelling aquatic organisms is applied onto a sensing part thereof, thereby preventing adherence of the aquatic organisms. However, the irritant-containing grease applied onto the sensing part will come off within one to two months, resulting in disappearance of its effect. Thus, it is necessary to perform work of pulling up the submersible sensor unit and re-applying the grease, in each case. The present invention provides a water flow resistant submersible sensor unit which comprises an aquatic organism adherence preventive film capable of preventing adherence of aquatic organisms even when used in the submersible sensor unit for about half a year, almost without involving any underwater movement, and capable of, after use, being easily peeled off from the submersible sensor unit.

The present disclosure relates to 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.

The invention concerns a method for measuring the concentration of a substance or mixture of substances and/or determining the level in a fluid with intrinsic fluorescence, preferably fuel systems. The invention also refers to the optical device suitable for implementing the method, which comprises a unit which generates light for excitation of the sample; a unit of detection of the signal emitted by the sample and a unit of signal processing.

The device and method by which it is implemented also allow the determination of the spatial distribution of the substance or mixture of liquid substances and/or the fluid level in a container. One of the main applications is the measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the fuel tank of aircrafts, based on the measurement of the intrinsic fluorescence of the fuel.

Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a fluid 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.

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.

The present invention is directed toward the early detection of harmful algal blooms. The system employs the ability of whole cell non-contact micro Raman spectroscopy to detect cell pigmentation in such a way that distinct patterns or fingerprints can be assembled. Light field microscopy will provide a fundamentally innovative increase in image and sample volume. Furthermore, darkfield microscopy is employed to capture high-resolution, color images of the detected plankton to increase the accuracy of species identification and classification. Together, this new instrument will provide a powerful yet elegantly simple solution to detection of HAB cells and characterization of environmental conditions.

As a conventional antifouling measure to prevent adherence of aquatic organisms to a submersible sensor unit, a grease containing a stimulant, such as mustard, capable of repelling aquatic organisms is applied onto a sensing part thereof, thereby preventing adherence of the aquatic organisms. However, the irritant-containing grease applied onto the sensing part will come off within one to two months, resulting in disappearance of its effect. Thus, it is necessary to perform work of pulling up the submersible sensor unit and re-applying the grease, in each case. The present invention provides a water flow resistant submersible sensor unit which comprises an aquatic organism adherence preventive film capable of preventing adherence of aquatic organisms even when used in the submersible sensor unit for about half a year, almost without involving any underwater movement, and capable of, after use, being easily peeled off from the submersible sensor unit.

A submersible inspection system for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers having a wirelessly controlled submersible inspective device. A submersion depth of the submersible can be controlled using a ballast system. The system can also include an input/output selector to switch between camera images from the submersible. A heartbeat signal indicative of a health of the transmitted signal can be transmitted to the submersible, and redundant channel selection logic can facilitate switching to a channel that includes a current heartbeat. A plurality of status interrogation systems disposed on the submersible can capture data regarding inspection procedures performed on the transformer, and the submersible can include tools for repair procedures. Data transmitted from the submersible, and overlayed with input data from an operator, can facilitate real time inspection analysis. The system can also form a model of an internal in the transformer, as well as produce a three-dimensional field of view.

The present invention is directed toward the early detection of harmful algal blooms. The system employs the ability of whole cell non-contact micro Raman spectroscopy to detect cell pigmentation in such a way that distinct patterns or fingerprints can be assembled. Light field microscopy will provide a fundamentally innovative increase in image and sample volume. Furthermore, darkfield microscopy is employed to capture high-resolution, color images of the detected plankton to increase the accuracy of species identification and classification. Together, this new instrument will provide a powerful yet elegantly simple solution to detection of HAB cells and characterization of environmental conditions.

The present invention refers to a device for sensing photoluminescent materials, said device comprising at least a source of light configured to generate a beam of light that is transmitted to the outside of said device and hits a photoluminescent material; a photon counting detector configured to receive a response light generated by the illumination of photoluminescent material with said beam of light and convert it into an electrical signal; a signal processing electronic system configured to process said generated electrical signal; and a signal transmission means configured to transmit the signals generated by the said signal processing electronic system towards the outside of the said device.