Submersible multi-parameter sonde having a high sensor form factor sensor

• US 10,302,616 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2017
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: In-Situ Incorporated
• Original Assignee: In-Situ Incorporated
• Inventors: Scott, Elijah Lyle, Sewell, Steven Collin, McKee, Duane B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huang, David Z
• Application Number:
  US15/632,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20180120281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1886 using probes, e.g. submersible probes, buoys

Abstract

Provided are multi-parameter sonde systems having a unique form-factor, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in a tight-fit configuration. This provides a single distal sensing surface and minimal separation distance between adjacent sensors. The sensors may be pie shaped with an interlocking feature to tightly hold the sensors together, with a sensor guard disposed over the outer surface of the interlocked sensors. Sensor-guards disclosed herein may have an integrated sensor storage and sensor guard configuration, thereby avoiding a need for a separate storage cup and that are configured to minimize unwanted biological growth. Also provided are uniquely shaped individual sensors having interlocking features to hold several sensors together in a sonde.

Claims

1. A sensor for use in a sonde, the sensor comprising:

an inner corner edge, wherein the inner corner edge comprises a corner groove having a geometric shape corresponding to a portion of a circle and configured to mount adjacent to a wiper drive shaft;

a pair of side surfaces extending from the inner corner edge and ending at an outer edge, wherein the side surfaces define a single plane or a pair of planes that are separated from each other by a side angle;

an outer facing surface that connects the pair of side surfaces at the outer edge;

a distal sensing surface;

a proximal end, wherein the pair of side surfaces and the outer-facing surface longitudinally extend between the proximal end and the distal sensing surface to form a sensor housing; and

an active sensing end positioned at the distal sensing surface.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the inner corner edge further comprises:

a. a top portion having a top width; and

b. a bottom portion having a bottom width, wherein the bottom width is less than the top width, thereby forming a bottom notch to mount adjacent to a central support.

3. The sensor of claim 2, further comprising:

a notch end surface between the inner corner edge top portion and the inner corner edge bottom portion; and

an interlocking mechanism connected to the notch end surface to connect the sensor to a central support.

4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises a tongue that extends from the notch end surface partway down the inner corner edge bottom portion.

5. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises a receiving passage extending from the notch end surface configured to receive a tongue from a central support.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the outer facing surface has a curvature that corresponds to a portion of a circle.

7. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the pair of side surfaces form a single plane.

8. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the pair of side surfaces form a pair of planes, with the side angle that is greater than 30°

and less than 180°

.

9. A multi-parameter sonde comprising:

a plurality of sensors, each sensor comprising;

an inner corner edge;

a pair of side surfaces extending from the inner corner edge and ending at an outer edge, wherein the side surfaces define a single plane or a pair of planes that are separated from each other by a side angle;

an outer facing surface that connects the pair of side surfaces at the outer edge;

a distal sensing surface;

a proximal end, wherein the pair of side surfaces and the outer-facing surface longitudinally extend between the proximal end and the distal sensing surface to form a sensor housing; and

an active sensing end positioned at the distal sensing surface,

wherein the plurality of inner corner edges from the plurality of sensors together form a central orifice configured to receive a drive shaft.

10. The multiparameter sonde of claim 9, further comprising a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft extends through the central orifice.

11. The multiparameter sonde of claim 10, further comprising a wiper connected to the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft rotates the wiper over at least a portion of the distal sensing surface of each of the plurality of sensors.

12. The multiparameter sonde of claim 11, further comprising a sensor base operably connected to each of the sensors.

13. The multiparameter sonde of claim 12, wherein each sensor comprises a fastening member extending from the sensor proximal end and the sensor base comprises a plurality of ports for receiving the plurality of sensors.

14. The multiparameter sonde of claim 13, further comprising a sensor guard connected to the sensor base, wherein the sensor guard has a sensor receiving volume in which the plurality of sensors are contained.

15. The multiparameter sonde of claim 14, wherein the sensor guard is a reversible sensor guard having a sensor guard configuration and a sensor storage configuration.

16. The multiparameter sonde of claim 15, wherein the reversible sensor guard comprises:

a plurality of openings at an end of the sensor guard to form a guard sensing end; and

a covering end at a guard end opposed to the guard sensing end having the plurality of openings;

the sensor guard configuration corresponds to the openings aligned with distal sensing surfaces of the sensors; and

the sensor storage configuration corresponds to the covering end aligned with the distal sensing surface.

17. The multiparameter sonde of claim 16, further comprising a cap configured to connect to either of the guard covering end or the guard sensing end, wherein:

in the sensor guard configuration the cap is connected to the guard sensing end the guard covering end is connected to the sensor base; and

in the sensor storage configuration the cap is connected to the guard covering end and the guard sensing end is connected to the sensor base.

18. The multiparameter sonde of claim 15, wherein the wiper comprises a central body having:

a lower surface and a first wiper extending from the lower surface;

an upper surface and a second wiper extending from the upper surface;

wherein the first wiper is configured to clean the distal sensing surfaces of the sensors and the second wiper configured to clean an inward-facing surface of the guard.

19. The multiparameter sonde of claim 12, wherein the sensor base comprises a display portion for indicating sensor status.

20. The multiparameter sonde of claim 11 further comprising a motor and a slip clutch operably connected to the drive shaft to provide rotational motion of the drive shaft and the wiper connected thereto.