Automatic fluid sampling and monitoring apparatus and method

• US 5,172,332 A
• Filed: 11/13/1990
• Issued: 12/15/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Sigma, Inc. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: American Sigma, Inc. (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, Donald L., Kaiser, Donald, Griffith, Carl, Hungerford, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MELNICK, STEVEN A
• Application Number:
  US07/612,832
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 364/510, 141/130, 141/94, 141/91, 141/89, 141/1, 73/863.03, 73/863.02, 73/863.01, 73/863, 73/864.34
• US Class Current: 700/267
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/00 Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/002 wherein the flow is in an open channel
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/005 using floats
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/168 with electric indicating or recording
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/24 by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/245 with a probe moved by an auxiliary power, e.g. meter, to follow automatically the level
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/263 by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/296 Acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/44 using electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/18 with provision for splitting samples into portions G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence; fraction-collection apparatus for chromatography B01D15/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2035 by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1043 from sewers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1081 Storing samples under refrigeration
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1427 Positive displacement, piston, peristaltic
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/185 Conveyor of containers successively filled
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water

Abstract

An automatic fluid sampling and monitoring apparatus provided as a unitary structure, and capable of collecting fluid samples at selected intervals, monitoring the level of a condition of the fluid at selected intervals, and collecting and storing sampling and fluid condition data for later retrieval. Sampling operations may be controlled on the basis of time and/or levels of a fluid condition being monitored. Where the apparatus also incorporates an internal flow measuring assembly, or is connected with an external flow meter, sampling operations may also be controlled on the basis of flow rate. The apparatus includes a self-contained microprocessor for automatically controlling sampling operations, calculating fluid condition levels on the basis of signals from a sensor, and storing data relating to sample collection and the fluid condition. Stored data can be called up on a display of the apparatus, or transferred via a portable transfer unit to an external output device, such as a printer, for producing a hard copy of the data.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel and for monitoring a fluid condition, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time and/or at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition being monitored, comprising:

means for controlling said apparatus;

a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from said channel;

power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus;

said fluid sampling assembly, said control means and said power means comprising an integral operating unit disposed within a single case, said case being sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole;

said fluid condition being monitored comprises a fluid condition other than flow rate;

said integral operating unit further including at least one input connection for receiving at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition; and

said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein;

said program memory is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition;

said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, and sampling times;

said microprocessor receives said at least one signal related to said fluid condition via said input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal;

said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and

said data memory stores fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said apparatus further comprises means for conditioning said at least one signal for input to said control means; and

said integral operating unit further comprises means for displaying said stored fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

said display means comprises an alphanumeric display mounted to said case so as to be visible to a user; and

said apparatus further comprises user keypad means, mounted to said case and communicating with said data memory, for entering said user-selected input parameters and for retrieving said fluid sampling data and fluid condition data stored in said data memory by a user command to display said data on said alphanumeric display.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for selectively transferring said stored data to an external output device, said transfer means being controlled by said microprocessor.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said user-selected input parameters further comprise program start and stop criteria, fluid sample size, sample container selection, and intervals and units for storing fluid condition data.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

sensor means for producing said at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition when said sensor is mounted in a detecting position relative to said fluid channel, said sensor means being selectively connectable to said at least one input connection of said integral operating unit.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said program memory stores a program for prompting a user to perform a calibration procedure for said sensor means, and further stores equations for calculating calibration data for use by said microprocessor in calculating values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises pH; and

said sensor means comprises at least a pH electrode, a reference electrode and a temperature sensor.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises oxidation reduction potential; and

said sensor means comprises an oxidation reduction potential electrode and a reference electrode.

10. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises the activity of a specific ion; and

said sensor means comprises at least a specific ion electrode, a reference electrode and a temperature sensor.

11. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises solution conductivity; and

said sensor means comprises a conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor.

12. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises turbidity; and

said sensor means comprises a sample chamber, means for directing light through said sample chamber, and photocell means, disposed adjacent said sampler chamber, for measuring scattered light therefrom.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

pump means operatively cooperating with said sample chamber to supply a constantly flowing sample through said chamber.

14. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises dissolved oxygen; and

said sensor means comprises a dissolved oxygen electrode, a reference electrode and a temperature sensor.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said data memory is provided with back-up battery power means for permitting said stored data to remain stored in memory when said main power means of said apparatus is turned off.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said microprocessor automatically initiates fluid sample collection by said fluid sampling assembly when a present calculated value of said fluid condition deviates from said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition by exceeding a predetermined value.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said microprocessor automatically initiates fluid sample collection by said fluid sampling assembly when a present calculated value of said fluid condition deviates from said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition by falling below a predetermined value.

18. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition comprises a pair of values defining an acceptable range for said fluid condition; and

said microprocessor automatically initiates fluid sample collection by said fluid sampling assembly when a present calculated value of said fluid condition is outside said acceptable range of values of said fluid condition.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a flow meter;

said microprocessor being selectively connectable with said flow meter so as to receive signals therefrom; and

wherein

said modes of operation further include sampling on the basis of flow rate; and

said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times, said deviation of said computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition, and/or flow rate.

20. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a fluid sample intake conduit which extends to fluid in said channel, said sample intake conduit being selectively connectable to said fluid sampling assembly inlet; and

said user-selected input parameters further comprising data relating to the volume of said sample intake conduit and purging thereof.

21. A method for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel and for monitoring a fluid condition, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time and/or at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition being monitored, comprising the steps of:

connecting, to an input connection of an integral operating unit, a sensor means for detecting a variable related to a fluid condition other than flow rate;

connecting a sample intake conduit to an inlet of a sampling assembly of said integral operating unit;

mounting said sensor means in a detecting position relative to said channel;

lowering a lower intake end of said sample intake conduit into said fluid in said channel;

positioning in an operable position said integral operating unit, including said fluid sampling assembly, means for supplying power to said integral operating unit, and means for controlling said integral operating unit, all disposed within a single case which is sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole;

operating said control means, including program memory thereof which is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition, and data memory thereof which stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition and fluid sampling times, such that a microprocessor of said control means receives said signal related to said fluid condition from said sensor means via said input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said signal, for controlling said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and

operating said data memory of said control means for automatically storing fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.

22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising the steps of:

inputting user commands, via a user input keypad means of said integral operating unit, relating to parameters including sample collection time intervals, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, program start and stop criteria, sample size, sample container selection, and data relating to the volume of said sample intake conduit and purging thereof.

23. A method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of:

displaying the stored fluid sampling data and fluid condition data on an alphanumeric display of said integral operating unit, in response to a user display command input via said keypad means.

24. A method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of:

transferring the stored fluid sampling data and fluid condition data to a portable data transfer unit by selectively connecting said transfer unit to a connector connected with said microprocessor and inputting a command to transfer said data to said transfer unit.

25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of:

after said transferring step, connecting said portable data transfer unit to an auxiliary output device and inputting a command to transfer said data from said transfer unit to said output device.

26. An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel, for measuring a fluid flow-related variable, and for monitoring a fluid condition other than flow rate, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time, said fluid flow-related variable, and/or said fluid condition being monitored, comprising:

means for controlling said apparatus;

a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from said channel;

power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus;

said fluid sampling assembly, said control means, and said power means comprising an integral operating unit disposed within a single case, said case being sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole;

said integral operating unit including a first input connection for receiving a detected signal related to fluid flow in said channel, and a second input connection for receiving at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition; and

said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein;

said program memory is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition, and is programmed for computing values of said fluid flow-related variable;

said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, at least one fluid flow-related parameter, at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, and sampling times;

said microprocessor receives said signal related to fluid flow via said first input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate a value of said fluid flow-related variable based on said signal and said at least one user-selected fluid flow-related parameter;

said microprocessor receives said at least one signal related to said fluid condition via said second input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal;

said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times, computed values of said fluid flow-related variable, and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and

said data memory stores fluid sampling data, fluid flow-related data, and fluid condition data.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein:

said apparatus further comprises first conditioning means for conditioning said signal related to fluid flow for input to said control means, and second conditioning means for conditioning said at least one signal related to said fluid condition for input to said control means;

said at least one user-selected fluid flow-related parameter comprises data relating to the size and type of fluid channel from which fluid samples are collected; and

said fluid flow-related variable comprises the fluid flow rate in said channel.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for selectively transferring said stored data to an external output device, said transfer means being controlled by said microprocessor, and wherein

said integral operating unit further comprises means for displaying said stored data.

29. An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising:

first sensor means for producing said signal related to fluid flow in said channel when said sensor is mounted in a detecting position relative to said channel, said first sensor means being selectively connectable to said first input connection of said integral operating unit;

second sensor means for producing said at least one signal related to said fluid condition, said second sensor means being selectively connectable to said second input connection of said integral operating unit; and

a fluid sample intake conduit which extends to fluid in said channel, said sample intake conduit being selectively connectable to said fluid sampling assembly inlet.