Patent ID: 6561046
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A sampling apparatus for collecting samples from underwater hydrothermal vents, and the oceanic or limnological water column said apparatus comprising:a sampling nozzle-comprising a plurality of inlet tubes; an end cap removably attached to each of said plurality of inlet tubes such that contamination of said inlet tubes is prevented; a sample collection unit in fluid communication with sampling nozzle, said sample collection unit comprising at least one sampling module for the collection of a predetermined type of sample; a fluid intake module in fluid communication with said sample collection unit and said sampling nozzle, said fluid intake module comprising at least one pump for drawing a sample fluid through said sampling nozzle and said sample collection unit; and a control module in electrical communication with fluid intake module, said control module comprising a micro-controller for controlling said fluid intake module and a computer readable memory for storing sampling data for use by a user; wherein said sampling nozzle is moved into a desired sampling location, said micro-controller sends a signal to said fluid intake module to initiate collection of a sample, said fluid intake module draws the sample fluid through said sampling nozzle and into said sample collection unit, said sampling module stores a sample, and said computer readable memory stores sampling data for use by a user.