Systems and methods for analyzing underwater, subsurface and atmospheric environments
First Claim
1. A system for performing a chemical analysis of substances in an underwater environment at a particular depth, comprisinga housing,an inlet assembly, connected to the housing and capable of allowing one or more substances from the underwater environment to diffuse into the housing, wherein the inlet assembly includes an inlet body, a recess, an inlet membrane disposed proximate to the recess, and a backing plate positioned within the recess such that a gap is created between the inlet body and the backing plate for the substances to pass through the inlet membrane and the recess,a vacuum chamber disposed within the housing, capable of maintaining a vacuum and connected to the inlet assembly for receiving the one or more substances,an NEG-ion pump disposed within the housing and connected to the vacuum chamber for generating a vacuum therein,an analyzer disposed within the vacuum chamber for detecting one or more of the substances, anda magnet disposed near the vacuum chamber for generating a magnetic field within a portion of the analyzer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The systems and methods described herein include, among other things, systems capable of being deployed for long periods of time in oceanic, subsurface and atmospheric environments. The systems typically include mass spectrometers to measure low molecular weight gases dissolved in the water and volatile chemicals in air and water, and can move through the ocean, subsurface and atmospheric environment to take samples over a large geographic area. Additionally, these mass spectrometer devices are small and require little power and thereby facilitate the development of sample collection devices that can be placed at a remote location and operated for a substantial period of time from an on-board power supply such as a battery or a fuel cell. Such small and lightweight mass spectrometer devices when combined with low power AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) and other manned and un-manned vehicles, can take samples over substantial distances and for a substantial period of time.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A system for performing a chemical analysis of substances in an underwater environment at a particular depth, comprising
a housing, an inlet assembly, connected to the housing and capable of allowing one or more substances from the underwater environment to diffuse into the housing, wherein the inlet assembly includes an inlet body, a recess, an inlet membrane disposed proximate to the recess, and a backing plate positioned within the recess such that a gap is created between the inlet body and the backing plate for the substances to pass through the inlet membrane and the recess, a vacuum chamber disposed within the housing, capable of maintaining a vacuum and connected to the inlet assembly for receiving the one or more substances, an NEG-ion pump disposed within the housing and connected to the vacuum chamber for generating a vacuum therein, an analyzer disposed within the vacuum chamber for detecting one or more of the substances, and a magnet disposed near the vacuum chamber for generating a magnetic field within a portion of the analyzer.
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39. A system for performing a chemical analysis of substances in an underwater environment at a particular depth, comprising
a water impermeable housing; -
an inlet assembly, connected to the housing and capable of allowing one or more substances from the underwater environment to diffuse into the housing, comprising an inlet body having a recess, an inlet membrane disposed proximate to the recess, and a backing plate for supporting the inlet membrane and positioned within the recess such that a gap is created between the inlet body and the backing plate, wherein the gap provides a path for the substances to pass through inlet membrane and the recess; a vacuum chamber disposed within the housing, capable of maintaining a vacuum and connected to the inlet assembly for receiving the one or more substances; an analyzer disposed within the vacuum chamber for detecting one or more of the substances; and a magnet disposed near the vacuum chamber for generating a magnetic field within a portion of the analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for performing a chemical analysis of substances in an underwater environment at a particular depth, comprising
providing a water impermeable housing connected to an inlet assembly and a vacuum chamber, wherein the inlet assembly includes an inlet body having a recess, an inlet membrane disposed proximate to the recess, and a backing plate for supporting the inlet membrane and positioned within the recess such that a gap is created between the inlet body and the backing plate; -
allowing a substance from the underwater environment to diffuse into the water impermeable housing; receiving the substance at the inlet assembly; allowing the substance to pass through the inlet assembly via the gap between the inlet body and the backing plate; generating and maintaining a vacuum at the vacuum chamber; receiving the substance at the vacuum chamber from the inlet assembly; and detecting the substance via an analyzer disposed within the vacuum chamber.
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Specification