Method and apparatus for underwater detection of hydrocarbons
First Claim
1. A method for detecting presence of hydrocarbons within a body of water proximate the water bottom comprising:
- moving an instrument platform through said body of water at a pre-selected distance above the water bottom;
generating light energy and directing said light energy from said instrument platform toward a selected area within the body of water as a repetitive scanning beam on said water bottom transverse to the line of movement of said instrument platform;
detecting selected fluorescence excitation resulting from said light energy; and
providing a data readout of said fluorescence excitations as an indication of hydrocarbon presence.
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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.
56 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for detecting presence of hydrocarbons within a body of water proximate the water bottom comprising:
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moving an instrument platform through said body of water at a pre-selected distance above the water bottom; generating light energy and directing said light energy from said instrument platform toward a selected area within the body of water as a repetitive scanning beam on said water bottom transverse to the line of movement of said instrument platform; detecting selected fluorescence excitation resulting from said light energy; and providing a data readout of said fluorescence excitations as an indication of hydrocarbon presence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for detecting presence of hydrocarbons within a body of water using a submersible instrument platform, comprising:
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generating a beam of light energy of selected wavelength from within said platform; repetitively scanning said beam through a transverse path beneath said platform; telescopically receiving within the platform the light return caused by said scanning beam to provide an output light beam; viewing return light from said output light beam at a first depth of field to provide a first focused light output; simultaneously viewing return light from said output light beam at a second depth of field to provide a second focused light output; and providing electrical signal outputs of said first and second focused light outputs as an indication of hydrocarbon presence. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for underwater detection of hydrocarbon substance, comprising:
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a submersible platform; means generating a light beam on board said platform; means for scanning and receiving reflection of said light beam through a transverse arcuate sector beneath said platform; telescope means within said platform receiving reflection of said light beam to provide an output light beam; lens means receiving said output light beam and being focussed to project light from selected depths of acceptance; and photoelectric means receiving said projected light and generating an output electrical signal indicative of hydrocarbon presence. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification