Abstract:
The invention discloses a flow proportional fluid sampler. A turbine pump unit has a pump that is powered by the fluid flow of the test site, such as a stream, thereby eliminating the need for outside power for the pump and proportioning the volume of sample taken to the flow velocity. The invention also incorporates a simple pulse counter that monitor&#39;s the revolutions of the turbine propeller and can be used to measure velocity. The invention also provides a collection and distribution unit that can collect and store numerous samples in a small, light-weight container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    This application follows from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/194,964, filed on Apr. 5, 2000.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to devices for obtaining samples from moving fluids, such as rivers, streams, pipes, sewers, or irrigation canals.  
           [0004]    Water sampling is essential to proper development and management of water and land resources. The need for a clear understanding of the effects of hydro-geomorphologic processes has become increasingly important. Processes such as erosion and fluvial transport of sediment and other associated constituents (“loads”), require accurate measurement of sediment and constituent content within bodies of water. Stream flow and constituent loads are the most important data collected for such an analysis and require flow measurements and water quality sample collection for determining representative concentrations of the constituents of interest. Some of the constituents of interest are suspended solids, phosphorous, nitrogen, and heavy metals. But, natural environmental factors such as geology, soils, climate, runoff, topography, drainage area, and ground cover make obtaining samples and data challenging. For example, in remote forests areas it has become important to monitor runoff to streams and rivers to determine the effects of logging, but obtaining reliable test samples is difficult.  
           [0005]    Current monitoring of the hydro-geomorphic processes in stream locations is conducted either by “grab sampling” or by automated samplers. Manual grab samples, which usually provide accurate samples and flow measurements, have the disadvantages of requiring frequent trips to the test site and providing no guarantee of sampling during a runoff event. Current automated devices are versatile in that they are capable of sampling on a programmable time basis or a proportional stream flow basis, and therefore are able to sample during runoff events. Some of the major disadvantages of automated samplers are that they are expensive, use substantial power and require frequent battery charging or expensive and complicated alternative power supplies. Owing to the need to re-charge batteries, automated samplers require frequent attention, which is difficult to provide in remote locations. Moreover, owing to the automated samplers&#39; expense and complexity, users are reluctant to leave them unattended in remote locations, for fear they will be stolen or vandalized. Consequently, there is a need for a simple, inexpensive, flow-proportional sampler that can obtain accurate samples.  
           [0006]    To obtain samples and data, and to test and monitor moving fluids, such as streams, there is a need for a sampler that can take adjustable volume samples or samples based on volume or flow-based settings, and that can collect composite or discrete samples. To obtain useful samples, it is critical that samples taken at different times be comparable. For example, in sampling a moving stream over the course of several weeks or seasons, the samples must be taken in proportion to the speed of the stream, which will fluctuate, in order to compare concentrations of sediments or contaminants during dry and wet periods. Without such proportional sampling, samples taken at different times under different stream flow speeds will not be comparable. Thus, flow proportional sampling results in few samples taken during low-flow (“baseflow”) conditions and many samples during stormy conditions. This flow proportional sampling provides an accurate hydrograph which can be used to correlate constituent loads in relation to stream flow.  
           [0007]    The present invention provides a flow proportional fluid sampler that pumps out a sample at a rate directly related to the flow speed. By linking pump speed to flow speed, samples taken during different fluid flow speeds are comparable. To accomplish this, a propeller or turbine is placed in the fluid to be sampled. The flow of the fluid drives the turbine. A pump is driven mechanically by the turbine. The pump draws a sample from the fluid and pumps it to a sample container. Since the turbine powers the pump, this system does not require an external power source to drive the pump. Since the pumping rate is directly related through the turbine to the fluid&#39;s speed, there is no need for a separate mechanism to proportion the rate of sample collection to fluid speed. The present invention also provides a very simple electrical sensor to measure the speed of the fluid being tested, which may be recorded as part of the sample data. The present invention also provides a sample collection system to distribute and store samples taken at different times.  
           [0008]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0009]    Sediment studies require frequent collection of suspended sediment at a test site. Site location, flow conditions, frequency of collection, and operational costs frequently make collection of sediment data by manual grab methods impractical. As a result several organizations, such as Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project (FISP), and United States Geological Survey (USGS), accompanied by commercial companies, have developed and evaluated several models of automated samplers. The USGS has identified seventeen optimum criteria for Automatic Pumping-Type Samplers in USGS Open-File Report 86-531, by Edwards and Glysson (1988):  
           [0010]    1. Isokinetic sample collection if intake is aligned with approaching flow.  
           [0011]    2. Suspended-sediment sample should be delivered from stream to sample container without a change in sediment concentration and particle-size distribution.  
           [0012]    3. Cross contamination of sample caused by sediment carry-over in the system between sample-collection periods should be prevented.  
           [0013]    4. Sampler should be capable of sediment collection when concentrations approach 50,000 (mg/l) and particle diameters reach 0.250 mm.  
           [0014]    5. Sample-container volumes should be at least 350 ml.  
           [0015]    6. The intake tube inside diameter should be ⅜ or ¾ inch, depending upon the size of the sampler used.  
           [0016]    7. The mean velocity within the sampler plumbing should be great enough to ensure turbulent flow (Reynolds number greater than 4000 to ensure turbulent flow).  
           [0017]    8. The sampler should be capable of vertical pumping lifts to 35 feet from intake to sample container.  
           [0018]    9. The sampler should be capable of collecting a reasonable number of samples, dependent upon the purpose of sample collection and the flew conditions.  
           [0019]    10. Some provision should be made for protection against freezing, evaporation, and dust contamination.  
           [0020]    11. The sampler-container tray unit should be constructed to facilitate removal and transport as a unit.  
           [0021]    12. The sampling cycle should be initiated in response to a timing device or stage change.  
           [0022]    13. The capability of recording the sample collection date and time should exist.  
           [0023]    14. The provision for operation using DC battery power or 110-volt AC power should exist.  
           [0024]    15. The weight of the entire sampler or any one of its principal components should not exceed 100 pounds.  
           [0025]    16. The maximum dimensions of the entire sampler or any one of its components should not exceed 35 inches in width or 79 inches in height.  
           [0026]    17. The required floor area for the fully assembled sampler should not exceed 9 square feet (3 ft by 3 ft).  
           [0027]    It is essential that the an automated sampler be able to meet the majority of the outline criteria. Automated samplers generally consist of: (1) a pump to draw a suspended-sediment from the stream flow, and, in some cases, back flush to prevent cross-contamination between samples, as well as to prevent freezing during winter months; (2) a sample container unit to hold sample bottles in position for filling; (3) a sample distribution system to divert a pumped sample to the correct bottle; (4) an activation system that starts and stops the sampling cycle, typically either at a regular time interval or in response to a rise in fall of the stream (gage height); and (5) an intake system through which samples are drawn from a point in the sampled cross section.  
           [0028]    An advantage of automated samplers over grab sampling is that automated samplers can collect suspended-sediment samples during periods of rapid stage changes caused by storm-runoff events. Automated samplers also reduce the manpower necessary to carry out intensive sediment-collection programs. However, because of their mechanical complexity, power requirements, and limited sample capacity, automated samplers often require more frequent site visits than a conventional observer station. All the automated samplers use pumps powered by batteries or an AC power supply. This presents a significant problem in remote settings, where changing or recharging batteries is difficult. Batteries also add substantial weight to a sampler unit. Moreover, these units can be prone to freezing during cold weather.  
           [0029]    Most automated samplers need a separate flow meter to correlate sampling to the test site&#39;s flow, in order to provide flow proportional sampling. These systems are complicated and often require on-site calibration to ensure accuracy.  
           [0030]    Sampling frequency for automatic sampling systems should be much greater at peak flows than during gradual base flows. High flows, such as those caused by a storm or spring runoff, typically contain high sediment concentrations. The peak sediment concentrations however do not usually coincide with the water-discharge peak. Therefore, a need for intermittent flow-proportional sampling is necessary to accurately depict the conditions within the steam environment.  
           [0031]    Some of the automatic pump-type samplers are the U.S. PS-69, U.S. CS-fl, U.S. PS-82, Manning S-4050, and ISCO 1680. The U.S. PS-82 is the most recent design available from F.I.S.P. The Manning and ISCO samplers, frequently used by federal and state agencies, were developed by private companies. None of the current samplers meet all 17 of the optimum criteria set out above. The most critical of the shortcomings is that none of the samplers provide direct, proportional flow, or isokinetic, collection of samples. Examples of some sampler designs may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,894, invented by Jobson (1997), and a technology intensive and costly sampler developed by Hungerford and Dickinson (1994), U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,141.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0032]    Therefore, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a sample collection device that takes flow proportional samples. Another object is to provide a sample pump that does not require battery or AC power. Another object is provide a flow velocity meter. Another object is provide constant pumping, in order to avoid freezing during cold weather. Another object is provide a light-weight, stand-alone sampler that is easy to manufacture. Another object is to provide a sampler that meets a majority of the USGS criteria.  
           [0033]    The present invention meets these objects by providing a flow driven pump that uses the flow of the test site, such as a stream, to drive a pump, thereby eliminating the need for outside power for the pump. Because the pump is flow driven, it can run constantly, thereby inhibiting freezing and providing all weather suitability. The constant action of the pump also flushes the system, thereby preventing cross-contamination of samples taken at different times. The invention also incorporates a simple pulse counter that monitor&#39;s the revolutions of the turbine propeller and can be used to measure velocity. The invention also provides a collection and distribution unit that can collect and store numerous samples in a small, light-weight container. Because the pump does not require battery power, the present invention can be left in the field for extended periods of time without maintenance. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 is a general, overall view of the components of the present invention, and a cross-section side view of the propeller turbine and pump unit.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is a cross-section end view of the propeller turbine and pump unit.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 is a cross-section side view of the funnel and float switches.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 is a cross-section side view of the distributor rotor.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the distributor rotor, showing the water channel outlet.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 is a top view of the distributor housing.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 is a cross-section side view of the distributor housing.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 8 is a cross-section side view of the collection and distribution unit.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9A is a schematic of half of the data and control circuitry.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9B is a schematic of the other half of the data and control circuitry.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 10 is a cross-section of the turbine and pump unit inserted between sections of pipe. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    [0045]FIG. 1 shows an overview of one embodiment of the present invention used to take samples from a stream  29 . The turbine is shown generally at  10 , secured above a streambed  28  by a support bracket  31 . The flow of the stream is indicated by arrows  12 . The flow  12  enters a cylindrical turbine housing  11 . The axis of the turbine housing  11  is indicated at  13 . A vertical cross member  16  in the housing  11  supports a shaft  15  which is aligned with and rotates on the axis  13 . A turbine propeller  14  is mounted to one end of the shaft  15 . At the other end of the shaft is an eccentric or wobble-cam  17 . As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, a connecting rod or push rod  18  has a big end  39  that rides about the wobble cam  17 . The push rod  18  extends up through the housing  11  and attaches to a diaphragm  21  which is part of a conventional diaphragm pump  19 . The suction of the pump  19  draws water up from the stream  29  through an inlet pipe  22 , as indicated by arrow  23 , and into the pump chamber  20  through inlet  33 . Water is pumped out of the pump chamber  20  through outlet  34  and up outlet pipe  27 .  
         [0046]    For sampling in flowing streams, the opening of the inlet pipe  22  is ideally placed in a stable cross section of the stream and in an area of high velocity and turbulence, in order to improve sediment distribution by mixing. Ideally, the intake should be located away from a bank and oriented ninety degrees, or normal, to the stream&#39;s flow.  
         [0047]    It can be seen that the stream&#39;s flow  12  turns the turbine propeller  14 , which in turn causes the push rod  18  to actuate the pump  19 . The pump  19  draws water in (23) from the stream and pumps it out through a pipe  27  for collection as a sample. It will be appreciated that the speed of the turbine  10  depends on the speed of the water flow  12  in the stream  29 , and that, in turn, the speed of the pump  19  is determined by the speed of the turbine  10 . Thus, if during a dry period the stream&#39;s flow  12  is slow, then sample water  23  will be pumped at a slow rate. Or, if during a period of heavy rain the stream&#39;s flow  12  is fast, then samples will pumped at a faster rate. In this way, the pumping rate is kept proportional to the stream&#39;s flow rate, thereby providing proportional sampling under different conditions. It will also be appreciated that the pump  19  does not require any external power, but is powered by the stream&#39;s flow  12 , via the turbine  10 .  
         [0048]    The embodiment described above and shown in FIG. 1 uses a single turbine propeller  14  with two blades, but many conventional turbine configurations will work, such as the Pelton Wheel, Francis Turbine, and Kaplan Turbine (none shown). The Pelton Wheel and Francis Turbine require a high flow rate, which does not work well for environmental samplers in rivers or streams where flow rates may be very low. The Kaplan Turbine, a propeller turbine with variable pitch vanes, would provide the greatest efficiency over the widest range of flow rates, but the complexity of controlling the pitch of the vanes makes it a less desirable option than that shown in FIG. 1. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the size of the turbine will affect the performance of the sampler. A larger turbine  10  will provide more power to the pump  19 . This is especially important in low flow rate conditions, such as a slow moving stream, where a small turbine may not be able to generate enough power to drive the pump. The propeller  14  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has two blades, but it is possible to use one or any number of blades. One option to increase turbine efficiency is to use more than one turbine propeller  14 . Thus in an alternate embodiment, a second propeller  31  is mounted ahead of and ninety degrees offset from the first propeller  14 .  
         [0049]    The pump shown in FIG. 1 is a conventional positive displacement diaphragm vacuum pump  19 . This diaphragm pump has the advantage of being able to pump small volumes of fluid while requiring relatively little power to drive it. The increased efficiency of a diaphragm pump under low power make it the best pump choice for taking samples from slow moving fluids. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pump  19  is an NFT31 diaphragm pump made by KNF Neuberger. The diaphragm on this pump is self centering, eliminating the need for return springs and substantially reducing the internal resistance of the pump  19 . The pump  19  uses flap valves (not shown) for the inlet  33  and outlet  33 . As seen in FIG. 2, the pump  19  is mounted on a cross-member  37  which is supported above the turbine housing  11  by brackets  36 . The location of the pump inlet  33  and outlet  34  are shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration, while FIG. 2 shows the actual locations.  
         [0050]    In a preferred embodiment, a collar  24  on the push rod  18  is a magnet. When the magnet  24  is passes a reed switch  25 , an electrical circuit is opened and closed. Thus, as the push rod  18  rises and falls on the wobble-cam  17 , the electrical circuit is opened and closed in a cycle corresponding to one rotation of the propeller shaft  15 . Wires  26  from the switch  25  are part of this electrical circuit. The wires  26  connect to a data computer  58  that monitors the opening and closing of the circuit. The data computer  58  counts the number of cycles or pulses. Since the pumping capacity of the pump  19  is known, it is possible to calculate the volume of water being pumped with each pulse. Using this information, it is possible to keep track of and control the amount of water being pumped. Data computer  58  also has an internal clock  104  and can compare the pulses to time. Empirical evidence can correlate the speed of the propeller  14  to the amount of water passing by it. Thus, using this empirical data and the pulse count, the data computer  58  can use its clock  104  to calculate the velocity of the water passing by the propeller  14 , or stream flow speed. This information is one of the most important pieces of sampling data.  
         [0051]    As seen in FIG. 3, water is pumped from pump  19 , through outlet pipe  27 , to solenoid switch  41 . Switch  41  is a two position, three port solenoid operated switch, such as a Parker Fluid Control Valve. When no current is applied, switch  41  is idle and the three-way valve directs water out a continuous drain port  56 , through a drain pipe  56 , which spills the water back into the stream, as indicated by arrow  57 . When a current is sent by the controller computer  43  to switch  41  through wires  42 , a needle valve (not shown) is retracted by the solenoid (not shown) and water flows through funnel entry port  61  into the sample collection funnel  44 . A cover  92  seals the top of the funnel  44  and protects the sample from contamination. At the bottom of funnel  44  is another solenoid switch  45 . When switch  45  is idle, the valve (not shown) is open to funnel drain port  62 . When a current is sent by the controller  43  to switch  45  through wires  46 , the valve in the switch  45  is closed. When the sampler is ready to take a sample, controller  43  sends a current to switches  41  and  45 . This current will open the valve in switch  41  and direct incoming water into the funnel  44 . The controller will simultaneously send a current to switch  45 , thereby closing its valve, so that water will accumulate in the funnel  44 .  
         [0052]    The amount of water in funnel  44  can be measured by counting the pulses from switch  25  and correlating that pulse count to the volume of each pump stroke. The data computer  58  can be programmed to count a pre-set number of pulses before sending a signal to the controller  43  to cut-off current to switch  45  and allow the sample collected in funnel  44  to drain out through port  47 . Alternatively, one or more floats  75  can be placed in funnel  44  to monitor when the sample pumped in has reached a predetermined level. As seen in FIG. 3, a conduit  71  is held in place by a securing block  91  mounted atop the funnel cover  92 . The conduit  71  extends down into the funnel  44 . A cap  73  at the bottom of the conduit  71  prevents water from entering the conduit  71 . A float  75  can ride freely up and down the outside of conduit  71 . A C-clip or stop  73  on conduit  71  prevents the float  75  from dropping off. In float  75  are two magnets  76 , balanced 180 degrees apart. As water rises in funnel  44 , float  75  rises. A reed switch  77  inside conduit  71  is located at a point related to the height of water desired in the funnel  44 . For example, the invention can be set to collect ten milliliters of water by adjusting the height of switch  77  in conduit  71  to correspond to that amount of water in funnel  44 , at which point the magnet  76  in float  75  triggers reed switch  77 . Wires  72  from switch  77  send a signal to the controller  43 , and the controller stops the current to solenoid switches  41  and  45 , thereby stopping the flow of water into the sample collection funnel  44  and allowing the sample to drain out of the funnel  44  through drain port  62 , then through the open valve in switch  45 , into drain pipe  47 , and from there to the distributor  48 .  
         [0053]    Sample collection funnel  44  may designed to have very steep sides, so that sample fluids will drain completely, thereby preventing cross contamination of samples.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 4 through 7 show the design of the distributor  48 . The distributor body  48  is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the distributor rotor  68  is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 4, drain pipe  47  extends down into a distributor inlet fitting  63 . Fitting  63  is secured to the distributor rotor  68  at  65 . Water passes through the fitting  63  into channel  66 , and channel  66  directs the water out to a discharge hole  67  at the perimeter of the bottom  69  of the rotor  68 . FIG. 5 shows the bottom  69  of the rotor  68  and the location of the discharge hole  67 . As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, rotor  68  rides in the recess  78  of the distributor body  48 . The bottom  69  of the rotor  68  rests on a ledge  79  in recess  78 . FIG. 6 shows that sixteen drain holes  80  are arranged around the perimeter of ledge  79 . The holes  80  allow sample water to drain out of the distributor  48  through fittings  85  and into sample collection tubes  54 . Holes  87  in the outside of the distributor body  48  are for securing the distributor to some stable platform, as shown in FIG. 9. A funnel drain  84  in distributor  48  allows any water that has leaked between the rotor  68  and the ledge  79  to drain down through drain hole  83 , thereby preventing collection of leaking water and cross contamination of samples,  
         [0055]    Referring back to FIG. 4, a gear  49  is secured to the top of rotor  68  by screws  64 . The rotor gear  49  meshes with a set of reduction gears  59 . A conventional DC stepper motor  50  drives a gear  51 , and through the set of reduction gears  59 . Upon receiving current, the DC stepper motor  50  will make a single rotation, then stop. The reduction gears  59  are sized to translate the single rotation of the stepper motor  50  into an incremental movement of distributor rotor  68 . This incremental rotation, shown by the angle at  86  in FIG. 6, will place the discharge hole  67  of the rotor  68  directly over one of the sixteen drain holes  80  in the distributor  48 .  
         [0056]    When the controller  43  cuts off current to the solenoid switches  41  and  45 , water drains out of collection funnel  44  to distributor  48 , which distributes the sample to a particular sample bottle  55 . A clock  96  in controller  43  allows a pre-programmed amount of time to pass to allow the sample to drain completely from the funnel  44  and through the distributor  48 . After that set time has passed, the controller sends a signal to the stepper motor  50 , which causes the motor  50  to complete a single rotation and move the rotor  68  to the next distributor sample hole  80 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 8 shows a design for a collection and distribution unit, indicated generally by  40 . Such a unit facilitates transport of the sampler, especially to remote locations. All the components of the sampler, other than the turbine and pump unit  10 , can be arranged in collection unit  40  so that on-site set-up only requires the attachment of a few hoses and wires. Upper and lower doors (not shown) in the housing  95 , open for access to the components and sample bottles  55 . In the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, a cylindrical PVC housing  95  is used to hold the collection and distribution components. The sample funnel  44  is secured at the top. Sample inlet pipe  27  enters through the open top of the housing  95  and mates with solenoid switch  41 . The controller computer  43  is mounted in a sealed box  93  in front of the funnel  44  (wiring is not shown in this figure). The data computer  58  is mounted in its own box  94  below the controller  43 . Drain pipe  47  directs sample water to the distributor rotor  68 , and the motor  50  reduction gear set  59  are mounted below the data computer  58 . The battery  53  or batteries are not shown in this figure, but they may be secured around the distributer rotor  68  on the platform  97 . The distributor  48  is screwed to the platform  97 . The collection bottles  55  are stored in the bottom compartment of the unit  40 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIGS. 9A and 9B show the schematic for the invention. Referring to FIG. 9A, switch  101  allows the user to select one sample volume, which is shown as 100 milliliters, and switch  102  allows the selection of a different volume, shown here, as an example, as 10 milliliters. It will be appreciated that any number of switches may be used to choose a wide variety of settings. Two six volt batteries  53  provide power to the unit. A relay  103  provides switching for the solenoid switches  41  and  45 . A connector  104  plugs into the data computer  58 . Any conventional single board computer, such as a CMD118A8 board produced by Axiom Manufacturing, may be used as the data computer  58 . The data computer counts the pulses from the reed switch  26  on the pump  19  push rod  18 . The pulses can be stored in memory and a program can be developed to take samples after a certain number of pulses have been counted. The data computer also has an internal clock  98 , which can be used to order samples based upon time intervals. Moreover, the data computer  58  can calculate, store in its memory, and chart data concerning the test site&#39;s flow speed. To do this, empirical information relating the speed of the propeller  14  to the speed of water driving the propeller  14  is gathered. That empirical data is compared to the pulse signals from the reed switch  26 , and the clock  98  is used to provide the test flow&#39;s velocity.  
         [0059]    Referring to FIG. 9B, relay  108  is another switch controlling the stepper motor  50 . Relay  109  is another switch controlling the solenoid switches  41  and  45 . Relay  110  turns the controller  43  on when a signal is received from the data computer  58 . Relay  111  selects which float,  71  or  81 , the controller will use to control the amount of sample taken. Re-set switch  112  can re-boot the system if it locks-up. Relay driver  113  amplifies the voltage and current. Diode  114  prevents back-feeding of signals to the data computer. Internal buses are shown at  115 . Connector  116  plugs into the controller computer  43 . A conventional microprocessor, such as a Paralax Industrial Basic Stamp II, may be used. The controller  43  receives the signal from the data computer  58  to take a sample, and controls the sample taking process by sending current to solenoid switches  41  and  42 , waiting a pre-set time for the sample to drain from the funnel  44  and through the distributor  48 , then sending a signal to the stepper motor  50 , which shifts the distributor rotor  68 .  
         [0060]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the turbine and pump unit  10  is ideally suited to many applications. The description provided above is but one embodiment set in the context of taking water samples from a stream or river. But, the invention may also be used to take samples from any moving fluid, including canals, irrigation ditches, storm drains, and sewer systems. The fluid need not be limited to water. Moreover, the present invention may also be adapted to taking samples from pipes. As shown in FIG. 10, the pump unit  19  may be attached to the turbine housing  11  and sealed to prevent fluids from escaping. The inlet pipe  22  can be directed through the turbine housing  11  to take samples from within the housing  11 . In this way, the housing  11  may be inserted between sections of pipe  120  and used to pump samples.  
         [0061]    The drawings and description set forth here represent only some embodiments of the invention. After considering these, persons skilled in the art will understand that there are many ways alternative embodiments and applications envisioned. The inventors contemplate that the use of alternative structures, which result in flow proportional sampler using the principles disclosed and the invention claimed, will be within the scope of the claims.