APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DEPTH OF A HYDROPHOBIC LIQUID ON THE SURFACE OF WATER AND METHOD FOR SAME
First Claim
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1. A device for measuring depth of a hydrophobic liquid on a water surface comprising:
- a means for measuring conductive properties of a hydrophobic liquid and water where the hydrophobic liquid is layered above the water;
a means for interpreting a difference in the conductive properties of the hydrophobic liquid and the water with regard to the depth of the hydrophobic liquid ; and
a means for transmitting the depth of the hydrophobic liquid as derived from the measured conductive properties to a receiver.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring depth of a hydrophobic liquid, such as oil, on a surface of water. The device uses a conductivity sensor and/or an optical sensor to detect the depth of an oil-water boundary. The device may have a Global Positioning System (GPS) for determining the geographic position of the device. Measurements of oil depth taken at particular geographic locations may be transmitted in real-time by the device to a remote computer in order to generate a depth profile of an oil spill.
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31 Claims
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1. A device for measuring depth of a hydrophobic liquid on a water surface comprising:
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a means for measuring conductive properties of a hydrophobic liquid and water where the hydrophobic liquid is layered above the water; a means for interpreting a difference in the conductive properties of the hydrophobic liquid and the water with regard to the depth of the hydrophobic liquid ; and a means for transmitting the depth of the hydrophobic liquid as derived from the measured conductive properties to a receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A device for measuring depth of a hydrophobic liquid on a water surface comprising a flotation structure, a substantially waterproof enclosure that is attached to the flotation structure, one or more pairs of sensor columns that are attached to the substantially waterproof enclosure, and electronic equipment contained in the substantially waterproof enclosure.
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21. A method for measuring depth of a hydrophobic liquid on a water surface comprising:
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providing a buoyant device with sensor columns in a body of water; detecting a boundary between the hydrophobic liquid and the body of water wherein the sensor columns extend through the boundary; and measuring the distance between the boundary and a top surface of the hydrophobic liquid wherein the distance represents the depth of the hydrophobic liquid. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification