Oil spill detection system
First Claim
1. A fluorescence sensor for the detection of natural or doped fluorescing substances such as oil or other chemicals comprising:
- source means for periodically illuminating a zone with light which includes an emission at a desired wavelength selected to stimulate fluorescence from the substance;
means for maintaining the level of the emission of the desired wavelength at a substantially constant level;
means for detecting predetermined wavelengths of light in said zone and producing first and alternate signals indicative thereof;
said first signals being representative of the amplitude level of fluorescence from a substance in the zone when said source means is on and said alternate signals being representative of background optical noise in said zone when said source means is off;
means responsive to said alternate signals for producing background signals representative of said background optical noise at respective predetermined wavelengths;
means for applying said background signals to respective first signals for the removal of portions attributable to said background optical noise and produce net first signals indicative thereof; and
means responsive to said net first signals for generating an alarm when a said net signal associated with a predetermined wavelength exceeds a threshold level for a predetermined interval;
said alarm generating means including means responsive to the net first signals for producing short and long term running averages thereof;
means for determining the difference between short and long term running averages associated with respective common wavelengths; and
means for generating a said alarm when a said difference exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor for the reliable detection of oil spills using fluorescence techniques. An ultraviolet (UV) light source is located around an optical column with which selected wavelengths of fluorescing hydrocarbons or other substances can be detected. The source of UV light is held at a constant level and special techniques are employed to remove background optical noise from the various detected wavelength signals. Short and long term running averages are generated to detect oil spills. A special buoy is employed to allow the sensor to be oriented at a cavity in the buoy to reliable detect oil spills on waterways. The buoy has windows to enable surface water to freely pass through into the cavity while preventing turbulence from open water waves and wind. The buoy has a low center of gravity well below the water line with a large submerged segment to reduce heaving motions and provide a stable platform for the detection of fluorescing substances.
43 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A fluorescence sensor for the detection of natural or doped fluorescing substances such as oil or other chemicals comprising:
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source means for periodically illuminating a zone with light which includes an emission at a desired wavelength selected to stimulate fluorescence from the substance; means for maintaining the level of the emission of the desired wavelength at a substantially constant level; means for detecting predetermined wavelengths of light in said zone and producing first and alternate signals indicative thereof;
said first signals being representative of the amplitude level of fluorescence from a substance in the zone when said source means is on and said alternate signals being representative of background optical noise in said zone when said source means is off;means responsive to said alternate signals for producing background signals representative of said background optical noise at respective predetermined wavelengths; means for applying said background signals to respective first signals for the removal of portions attributable to said background optical noise and produce net first signals indicative thereof; and means responsive to said net first signals for generating an alarm when a said net signal associated with a predetermined wavelength exceeds a threshold level for a predetermined interval; said alarm generating means including means responsive to the net first signals for producing short and long term running averages thereof; means for determining the difference between short and long term running averages associated with respective common wavelengths; and means for generating a said alarm when a said difference exceeds a predetermined threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A fluorescence sensor for the detection of natural or doped fluorescing substances, such as oil or other chemicals comprising:
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light source means for periodically generating a beam of light which includes an emission at a desired wavelength selected to stimulate fluorescence from the substance and directing said beam of light to illuminate a zone; means for detecting predetermined wavelengths of light in said zone and producing first and alternate signals indicative thereof;
said first signals being representative of the amplitude level of fluorescence from a substance in the zone when said beam of light is on and said alternate .signals being representative of background optical noise in said zone when said beam of light is off;means responsive to said alternate signals for producing background signals representative of said background optical noise at respective predetermined wavelengths; means for applying said background signals to respective first signals for the removal of portions attributable to said background optical noise and produce net first signals indicative thereof; and means responsive to the net first signals for producing short-term running averages and long-term running averages thereof; means for comparing said short- and long-term running averages to produce a comparison signal; and means for generating an alarm signal when said comparison signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fluorescence sensor for the detection of natural or doped fluorescing substances, such as oil or other chemicals flowing through a conduit, comprising:
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means for generating a beam of light which includes an emission at a desired wavelength selected to stimulate fluorescence from the substance and directing said beam of light to illuminate a zone in the conduit through which the substance flows; means for detecting a predetermined wavelength of light stimulated by said beam of light and producing a first signal indicative thereof; means responsive to said first signal for determining whether said substance flowing through the conduit is of a predetermined type or is of another type and producing a second signal indicative thereof; and means responsive to said second signal for sending an alarm signal when said second signal represents a substance different from said predetermined. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification