Oceanographic sensor with in-situ cleaning and bio-fouling prevention system
First Claim
1. An oceanographic sensor system having the capability of both self-cleaning and bio-fouling prevention simultaneously while operating in a sensor mode while submerged, for removal of foreign materials thereon and the prevention of fouling thereof, comprising:
- a. a transducer substrate element of suitable crystal substance and shape operable to be vibrated at or near a resonant frequency at various energy levels;
b. a plurality of separate sensor means fabricated on surfaces of said transducer substrate element as an integral part thereof;
c. at least two of said sensor means being on opposite sides of said transducer element;
d. said sensor means being electrically connected to sensor readout means;
e. an electrical means for providing an alternating electrical potential to vibrate said transducer element while said sensor means is operating in a sensor mode;
means for connecting any of the sensor means on one side of the transducer element to one side of said electrical means and any of the conductive coatings on the opposite side of said transducer element to the opposite side of said power source for exciting the transducer substrate element to cause vibration thereof at desired frequencies to generate sonic energy which varies in energy intensity from levels which create acoustic streaming forces to intensities which cause cavitation forces to cause removal of any foreign fouling matter on the transducer element and integral sensor means by cavitation of the surrounding water and to prevent fouling due to marine organisms adhering to the sensor surface by acoustic streaming of water adjacent the surface thereof concurrently while oceanographic parameter measurements are being made by said sensor means.
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Abstract
An oceanographic sensor which allows in-situ bio-fouling prevention and/orleaning of foreign matter from its surface while simultaneously operating in a sensor mode. The sensor mode is fabricated from crystal substance and utilizes the piezoelectric electric effect. Sensing elements are fabricated on either the outside or inside, or both sides, of the core depending upon what measurements need to be taken. When the sensor is submerged and excited by an electrical potential, at or near resonance, the sensor core will vibrate and remove all foreign matter from its surface. The cleaning and bio-fouling prevention is done concurrently with oceanographic parameter measurements made by the sensor. Also, it should be noted that when the transducer is vibrated at or near its resonant frequency at a level below the cavitation threshold, the transducer and sensor system deters all bio-fouling from adhering to the sensor surface. Therefore, the oceanographic sensor device of this invention allows both in-situ cleaning of contaminants and a bio-fouling prevention system for use with submerged transducers.
38 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An oceanographic sensor system having the capability of both self-cleaning and bio-fouling prevention simultaneously while operating in a sensor mode while submerged, for removal of foreign materials thereon and the prevention of fouling thereof, comprising:
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a. a transducer substrate element of suitable crystal substance and shape operable to be vibrated at or near a resonant frequency at various energy levels; b. a plurality of separate sensor means fabricated on surfaces of said transducer substrate element as an integral part thereof; c. at least two of said sensor means being on opposite sides of said transducer element; d. said sensor means being electrically connected to sensor readout means; e. an electrical means for providing an alternating electrical potential to vibrate said transducer element while said sensor means is operating in a sensor mode;
means for connecting any of the sensor means on one side of the transducer element to one side of said electrical means and any of the conductive coatings on the opposite side of said transducer element to the opposite side of said power source for exciting the transducer substrate element to cause vibration thereof at desired frequencies to generate sonic energy which varies in energy intensity from levels which create acoustic streaming forces to intensities which cause cavitation forces to cause removal of any foreign fouling matter on the transducer element and integral sensor means by cavitation of the surrounding water and to prevent fouling due to marine organisms adhering to the sensor surface by acoustic streaming of water adjacent the surface thereof concurrently while oceanographic parameter measurements are being made by said sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for self-cleaning oceanographic solid-state sensors in-situ for removal of fouling marine organisms and prevention of fouling thereof while submerged in a body of water and simultaneously operating in a sensing mode, comprising:
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a. mounting sensing elements on surfaces of a trasducer substrate such that at least two of the sensing elements are mounted on opposite sides of the transducer substrate and are connected to sensor readout circuitry; b. while operating in a sensing mode, electrically connecting said at least two sensing elements via switching means to an electrical source for electrically exciting said substrate to vibrate ultrasonically in water to generate sonic energy which varies in energy intensity from levels which create acoustic streaming forces to intensities which cause cavitation forces and thereby loosen and remove foreign and marine matter from the surface of the transducer substrate and the elements mounted thereon and prevent fouling marine organisms from adhering thereon by acoustic streaming of water adjacent the substrate surface.
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Specification