Automatic fluid monitoring and sampling apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid stream and for monitoring at least one analyte on a real-time basis, according to at least one mode of operation selected by a user, comprising:
- means for controlling said apparatus;
a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid stream;
power means for supplying power to said apparatus;
said fluid sampling assembly, said control means and said power means comprising an integral operating unit;
a fiber optic sensor for detecting values of said analyte in said fluid stream and for outputting signals related thereto, said fiber optic sensor being selectively connected to said integral operating unit; and
said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein;
said program memory stores at least one equation for computing values of said analyte;
said microprocessor receives said signals related to said analyte from said fiber optic sensor and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said analyte based on said signals;
said at least one mode of operation which may be selected by the user includes a first mode of operation in which sampling is triggered by at least one predetermined value of said analyte being monitored;
said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data and said at least one predetermined value of said analyte;
said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to said at least one mode of operation selected by the user, based on a deviation of computed values of said analyte from said user-selected predetermined value of said analyte; and
said data memory stores fluid sampling data and analyte data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid sampling apparatus provided as a unitary structure which automatically collects fluid samples according to modes of operation selected by a user, while monitoring an analyte of interest on a real-time basis on the basis of signals from a fiber optic sensor, and collecting and storing sampling and analyte data for later retrieval. The user may select from various modes of operation, including sampling triggered by a predetermined value(s) of the analyte, flow proportional sampling, and/or sampling at predetermined time intervals. The apparatus includes a self-contained microprocessor, together with associated program and data memory, for automatically controlling sampling operations, calculating analyte values on the basis of signals from the fiber optic sensor, calculating flow rate on the basis of signals from a flow sensing arrangement, and storing data relating to sample collection, analyte levels, and flow rate. The apparatus is further adapted to measure and store the actual discharge volume of the analyte loaded into a receiving fluid body, with the program memory being programmed to calculate loading values on the basis of flow rate values and analyte values as detected from any type of sensor capable of in situ real-time analyte measurement. Stored data can be called up on a display of the apparatus, or transferred to an external output device via a modem and telecommunication network or a portable data transfer unit.
102 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid stream and for monitoring at least one analyte on a real-time basis, according to at least one mode of operation selected by a user, comprising:
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means for controlling said apparatus; a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid stream; power means for supplying power to said apparatus; said fluid sampling assembly, said control means and said power means comprising an integral operating unit; a fiber optic sensor for detecting values of said analyte in said fluid stream and for outputting signals related thereto, said fiber optic sensor being selectively connected to said integral operating unit; and said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein; said program memory stores at least one equation for computing values of said analyte; said microprocessor receives said signals related to said analyte from said fiber optic sensor and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said analyte based on said signals; said at least one mode of operation which may be selected by the user includes a first mode of operation in which sampling is triggered by at least one predetermined value of said analyte being monitored; said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data and said at least one predetermined value of said analyte; said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to said at least one mode of operation selected by the user, based on a deviation of computed values of said analyte from said user-selected predetermined value of said analyte; and said data memory stores fluid sampling data and analyte data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for monitoring at least one analyte in a fluid discharge on a real-time basis, and for measuring an actual discharge volume of the analyte loaded from the fluid discharge into a receiving fluid body, comprising;
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means for controlling said apparatus; power means for supplying power to said apparatus; said control means and said power means comprising an integral operating unit; flow sensing means for outputting signals related to the flow rate of a fluid discharge, said flow sensing means being connected to said integral operating unit; a sensor for detecting, in situ, said analyte in said discharge and for outputting signals related thereto, said sensor being connected to said integral operating unit; and said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein; said program memory stores equations for calculating values of said analyte and flow rate values, and for calculating loading values on the basis of said analyte values and flow rate values; said microprocessor receives said signal related to flow rate from said flow sensing means and utilizes said program memory to calculate the flow rate of said discharge; said microprocessor receives said signals related to said analyte from said sensor and utilizes said program memory to calculate concentration values of said analyte based on said signals; said microprocessor utilizes said program memory to calculate loading values of said analyte on the basis of said calculated analyte concentration values and flow rate values; and said data memory stores analyte data, flow rate data and loading data. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid stream and for monitoring at least one analyte on a real-time basis, according to at least one mode of operation selected by a user, comprising:
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means for controlling said apparatus; a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid stream; power means for supplying power to said apparatus; said fluid sampling assembly, said control means and said power means comprising an integral operating unit; a fiber optic sensor for detecting values of said analyte in said fluid stream and for outputting signals related thereto, said fiber optic sensor being selectively connected to said integral operating unit; and said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein; said program memory stores at least one equation for computing values of said analyte; said microprocessor receives said signals related to said analyte from said fiber optic sensor and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said analyte based on said signals; said at least one mode of operation which may be selected by the user includes a first mode of operation in which sampling is initiated on the basis of time; and said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data and sampling times, and further stores fluid sampling data and analyte data. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification