Patent ID: 8753568
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A device with bio-fouling control for autonomous monitoring of a fluid environment, comprising: at least one sensor unit operationally controllable to operate in accordance with a predetermined sampling cycle, the sampling cycle including at least one sampling time period followed by an anti-fouling treatment time period, a sensor envelope having at least one closable window positioned in a surrounding relationship with the at least one sensor unit and defining a chamber containing the at least one sensor unit, at least one source of an anti-fouling matter contained in the chamber the source of anti-fouling matter comprising an outer sleeve and at least one inner sleeve arranged substantially concentric with respect to the outer sleeve and having a closable upper end and a closed lower end which establish an annular reservoir space filled with biocide matter, the source of anti-fouling matter further comprising a biocide outlet means and vent in fluid communication with the chamber, and a preprogrammed control unit operatively coupled to the sensor envelope and the at least one source of the anti-fouling matter, wherein the preprogrammed control unit actuates the said sensor envelope to control the opening and closing of said at least one closeable window to provide fluid communication between the at least one sensor unit and a fluid during the at least one sampling time period, and further activates the biocide outlet means of the at least one source of the anti-fouling matter to create an anti-fouling environment in the chamber during the anti-fouling treatment time period.