EP2997362A2 - Liquid sampler - Google Patents

Liquid sampler

Info

Publication number
EP2997362A2
EP2997362A2 EP14805347.3A EP14805347A EP2997362A2 EP 2997362 A2 EP2997362 A2 EP 2997362A2 EP 14805347 A EP14805347 A EP 14805347A EP 2997362 A2 EP2997362 A2 EP 2997362A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
inlet mouth
actuation device
containing chamber
improved structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14805347.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicola CASAGLI
Francesco MUGNAI
Benedetto Allotta
Fabio BARTOLINI
Riccardo COSTANZI
Niccolò MONNI
Alessandro RIDOLFI
Luca PUGI
Marco NATALINI
Silvano Meroi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Universita degli Studi di Firenze
Original Assignee
Universita degli Studi di Firenze
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Universita degli Studi di Firenze filed Critical Universita degli Studi di Firenze
Publication of EP2997362A2 publication Critical patent/EP2997362A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
    • G01N1/14—Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/18—Water
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
    • G01N1/14—Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
    • G01N2001/1418—Depression, aspiration
    • G01N2001/1427—Positive displacement, piston, peristaltic

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of devices for collecting samples of liquids, such as samples of water, in particular sea water, river water, lake water, and more in detail it relates to an improved structure of sampler for underwater inspections. Description of the prior art
  • the monitoring of underwater environments, both sea environments, and lake environments, and river environments and industrial environments can be for example executed by scuba divers who plunge into the water of interest and once arrived at the area of interest use collecting devices that are operated by the scuba divers themselves for picking up manually the sample of water of interest.
  • ROV underwater Remotely operated vehicles
  • AVS Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
  • the known remotely operated samplers have some drawbacks. Firstly, the samplers of liquid are at first empty and have therefore a predetermined starting weight. Once the sample of interest has been collected, the weight of the sampler changes with respect to the starting weight and therefore the distribution of the loads on the underwater vehicle changes. Therefore, the underwater vehicle, not more balanced, becomes difficult to be remotely operated in particular in case of small vehicles, i.e. comparable to the size of the sampler used. Therefore, in order to avoid this drawback it is necessary to use vehicles of large size. This causes a high energy consumption for supplying the vehicle and for moving the same. Furthermore, vehicles of large size have limited possibility to use because they cannot be used for inspecting ravines, small caverns, or the inside of wrecks .
  • the sampler is substantially syringe-shaped, because it consists of a piston that is arranged movable in a cylinder. More in detail, the sampler is arranged in a containing case of a vehicle with the front end oriented towards the environment and the rear end arranged in the containing case same, in order not to be in communication with the outside environment.
  • the sample to be examined is introduced inside the cylinder through an unidirectional valve arranged at the front end of the sampler.
  • the unidirectional valve only provides a loaded spring.
  • Inside the sampler is preliminarily introduced a certain amount of water that, then, is expelled through holes made in a rear cover of the sampler through which the water outflows in the hollow container body of the vehicle. Then, the water exits from the vehicle through apertures.
  • the movement of the piston is guided by one, or two, springs.
  • the sampler has a compensation system of the pressure that consists of a diaphragm, made of silicone rubber, and mounted at the front end of the body of the sampler at which the sample enters the cylinder. More in detail, when a sample is collected at high depth, the diaphragm expands outwards to allow a depressurization during the step of ascending in surface. Instead, when the sample is collected at low depth, i.e. near the surface, the diaphragm expands inward .
  • the membrane has an elastic constant that is lower than that of the spring of the unidirectional valve.
  • the sample of interest is contaminated by liquid that enters the cylinder through the unidirectional valve.
  • a sampler comprising a containing chamber inside of which, before proceeding with the collecting of the sample to be examined, distilled water is introduced through an opening that, in operating conditions, is hermetically closed by a plug.
  • the containing chamber remains insulated from the outside environment up to the moment of collecting the sample to be examined. More in detail, the introduction of the sample in the containing chamber is carried out through the opening of a valve that is kept in a closed position by a spring and that opens when the external pressure is higher than a predetermined value, i.e. to the achieving of a predetermined depth.
  • a sampler comprising a triggering mechanism, a device for sampling the water and a pumping mechanism .
  • the device for sampling the water cooperates with the triggering mechanism and comprises a removable container and a pinch mechanism.
  • the removable container is arranged in the device for sampling the water and provides an inlet, an inlet tube and a collecting bag attached to the inlet tube.
  • the pinch mechanism is located adjacent to the inlet tube and surrounds it and is arranged near the collecting bag. When the pinch mechanism is closed it prevents water from penetrating in the inlet tube and in the collecting bag. When it is open, the pinch mechanism allows water to enter the inlet tube and the collecting bag.
  • a pumping mechanism creates a water flow for causing the collecting bag to collect water when the pinch mechanism is in the open position.
  • a structure of underwater vehicle such as a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, or an underwater autonomous vehicle, or AUV, on which at least one sampler having the same advantages is mounted.
  • a piston slidingly mounted in said longitudinal recess, said piston which is adapted to divides said longitudinal recess in a first containing chamber that, in use, is always in hydraulic connection with the outside environment through at least one opening, in such a way that, in use, said first containing chamber is flooded, and in a second containing chamber equipped with at least one inlet mouth, said, or each, inlet mouth being associated with a closure member movable between a closed position of said inlet mouth and an open position of said inlet mouth;
  • an actuation device arranged to selectively arrange said, or each, closure member between a closed configuration, in which said second containing chamber is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment and said first containing chamber is flooded, and a open configuration, in which said second containing chamber is in hydraulic connection with the outside environment;
  • said actuation device arranged also to cause a translation said piston in said longitudinal recess from a first position, in which it is close to said, or each, inlet mouth and a second position, in which it is close to said, or each, opening, said translation of said piston producing a depression in said second chamber that causes the introduction inside of it of a predetermined volume of a liquid sample through said, or each, inlet mouth; said actuation device being then arranged to return said inlet mouth from said open configuration to said closed configuration once said piston reaches said second position;
  • the actuation device can be remotely operated.
  • the actuation device can be operated in predetermined conditions, for example when a predetermined depth is reached and/or when a predetermined pressure is reached and/or when a predetermined position is reached and/or at a predetermined instant and/or at a predetermined temperature.
  • the actuation device is operated, in particular remotely, by an actuation device selected from the group consisting of:
  • actuation device of electric type
  • a power supply is provided and said actuation device can be electrically connected to the power supply.
  • the actuation device can be configured to cause the movement of the inlet mouth by the closed configuration to the open configuration and to cause the piston to translate from the first to the second position, when the actuation device is crossed by a predetermined electric current generated by the power supply. For example, until the actuation device is not crossed by electric current, or is crossed by an electric current that is lower than a predetermined threshold value i*, the actuation device is adapted to keep the inlet mouth in the closed configuration and to keep the piston in the first position. Instead, when the actuation device is crossed by current, or by a current higher than the threshold value i*, it is configured to cause the movement of the inlet mouth from the closed configuration to the open configuration and to cause the piston to translate from the first to the second position.
  • the actuation device is adapted to keep the inlet mouth in the closed configuration and to keep the piston in the first position until a current flows and to cause the inlet mouth to move in the open configuration and the piston to translate in the second position when it is not crossed by current, i.e. when the electric current generated by the power supply and that crosses the actuation device in the closed configuration of the inlet mouth stops to pass through the actuation device same.
  • the actuation device may comprise:
  • a first actuation element arranged to selectively arrange said inlet mouth between the closed configuration and the open configuration
  • the second actuation element provides:
  • an opposition element which is arranged to be arranged between a locking configuration , in which said opposition element is adapted to oppose said push action of said pushing element, and a release configuration, in which said opposition element does not oppose said action of said pushing element, in said release configuration of said opposition element, said push element arranged to cause said translation of said piston from said first to said second position .
  • the piston is integral to a first end portion of an elongated element, or stem, slidingly mounted in the longitudinal recess, said stem having a second end portion opposite to the first end portion.
  • the push element is configured to apply a push action directly on said piston, or to produce the push action on said piston through an action exerted on said stem. More in detail, the push element can be engaged to the piston, or to the stem of the piston for example at the second end portion thereof.
  • a closure plate is connected to the second end of the stem when the piston is arranged in the first position the closure plate is adapted to abut on a surface of said hollow body that externally define said opening of said first chamber.
  • the closure plate has at least one through hole arranged to hydraulically connect the first containing chamber with the outside environment through the above described opening, in order to allow a flooding, in use, of the first containing chamber.
  • the push element is a push element of resilient type, said opposition element, in said configuration of locking arranged to keep said push element of resilient type in a compressed configuration.
  • the push element of resilient type may have a first end integral to the hollow body and a second end integral to the closure plate, and an opposition element can be provided which is adapted to selectively arrange said push element of resilient type between a compressed configuration and an elongated configuration in which said piston is in said second position.
  • a stop element is provided arranged to stop the translation of the piston from the first to the second position.
  • the stop element is provided with the opening through which the first containing chamber is always in communication with the outside environment. Furthermore, depending on the shape of the stop element, this has a hole that is .crossed, in use, by said stem of said piston.
  • the stop element has a shape such that it defines said opening through which said first chamber is always hydraulically connected with said outside environment .
  • the push element of resilient type can be housed, at least in part, in a seat obtained in said stop element.
  • the push element of resilient type is configured in such a way that, during the translation of said piston from said first to said second position, the resilient push element same is adapted to carry out a stroke lower than the stroke of said piston.
  • the resilient push element same is adapted to carry out a stroke lower than the stroke of said piston.
  • the compensation mechanism of the pressure is completely free from the mechanism through which the sample is arranged in the second containing chamber.
  • the compensation mechanism can be located opposite to the inlet mouth.
  • the hollow container body can be mounted on an underwater support, for example a ROV operated from a remote position.
  • the actuation device is selected from the group consisting of:
  • solenoid in particular a linear solenoid
  • the underwater support is a mobile support .
  • the movable underwater support can be a an underwater remotely operated vehicle, i.e. A ROV.
  • an underwater vehicle for example, remotely operated, or ROV, or an underwater autonomous vehicle, or AUV, comprises :
  • a propulsion unit arranged to move the main body; - at least one liquid sampler for underwater inspections connected to said main body and comprising :
  • a piston slidingly mounted in said longitudinal recess, said piston being adapted to divide said longitudinal recess in a first containing chamber in hydraulic connection with the outside environment through at least one opening and in a second containing chamber provided with an inlet mouth; - hydraulic sealing elements arranged to keep said second containing chamber hydraulically insulated from the outside environment;
  • an actuation device arranged to selectively arrange said inlet mouth between a closed configuration, in which said second containing chamber is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment, and an open configuration, in which said second containing chamber is hydraulically connected with the outside environment, said actuation device arranged also to cause a translation of said piston from a first position, in which it is close to said inlet mouth and a second position, in which it is close to said, or each, opening, said translation of said piston creating a depression in said second chamber that causes the introduction inside of the same of a predetermined volume of a liquid sample through said inlet mouth.
  • a plurality of samplers of liquid is provided, each liquid sampler of said plurality being constrained to said main body of said vehicle.
  • the actuation device for each sampler can be remotely operated, for example by said electric actuation device, acting on an interface element arranged in a remote position from which the underwater vehicle is remotely operated for example following the movements by a monitor on which the images captured by a video camera mounted on the vehicle same are displayed.
  • a control unit can be provided through which it is possible to remotely operate the vehicle.
  • at least one video camera is provided mounted on the vehicle and arranged to detect the images that are then transmitted to a display device arranged at said control unit.
  • control unit can comprise an interface element, for example a joystick, or a joypad, by which a user can manoeuvre the vehicle on the basis of the images displayed on the display device.
  • interface element for example a joystick, or a joypad
  • the main body has a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the propulsion unit may comprise:
  • a fourth propeller arranged to produce on said main body a fourth thrust along a substantially transversal direction and parallel to the thrust direction produced by the third propeller.
  • first and the second propeller are used for producing a thrust of movement and a rotation of the vehicle about a substantially vertical rotation axis.
  • the third and the fourth propellers are, instead, arranged to produce a substantially vertical thrust, in order to change the depth of the vehicle and a rotation of the vehicle same about the side axis of the vehicle.
  • the third and the fourth propellers are arranged along a substantially radial direction and pass through the axis of the main body.
  • outlet mouths of the third and of the fourth propellers are arranged along a same generatrix of the main body with substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the particular type of propeller system chosen by the present invention for moving the underwater remotely operated vehicle provides a high manoeuvrability of the vehicle same also in hostile surroundings like the inner areas of a wreck.
  • a protection frame of said main body comprising a plurality of elongated shaped portions and being configured to form a substantially reticular structure.
  • FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a perspective side view of a possible exemplary embodiment of an improved structure of liquid sampler according to the invention in a rest configuration
  • FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a perspective side view of the improved structure of liquid sampler of Fig. 1 at the end of the suction configuration
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of Fig. 1;
  • - figure 4 diagrammatically shows in a top plan view an exemplary embodiment of the structure of sampler of figure 1 and at the end of a suction configuration;
  • FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of figurel in operating conditions, i.e. immersed into a liquid, for example water, with a containing chamber that is flooded and the other containing chamber that is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment;
  • FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of figure 5 in operating conditions, during a suction configuration of the liquid to be collected;
  • FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of figure 5 in the sealing configuration " of the collecting chamber of the liquid sample of interest;
  • FIG. 8 shows an elevational front view of a possible exemplary embodiment of an underwater support on which more samplers can be installed
  • FIG. 9 to 11 show, respectively, a side view, a top plan view, and a perspective view of the underwater support of figure 8,;
  • FIG. 13A and 13B diagrammatically show in two different operating conditions an exemplary embodiment of the sampler of figure 3 in a cross longitudinal section .
  • an improved structure of a liquid sampler 1 for underwater inspections comprises a hollow container body 10, for example substantially cylindrical shaped that has a longitudinal recess 15.
  • a piston 20 that divides the longitudinal recess 15 in a first containing chamber 30 in hydraulic connection with the outside environment through at least one opening, for example 4 openings 27a-27d, and in a second containing chamber 40 provided with an inlet mouth 41.
  • the improved structure of sampler 1 comprises also an. actuation device arranged to selectively arrange the inlet mouth 41 between a closed configuration (figures 1, 3 and 5), in which the second containing chamber 40 is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment, and an open configuration (figure 6) in which the second containing chamber 40 is hydraulically connected with the outside environment.
  • the actuation device is adapted also to cause a translation of the piston 20 from a first position, in which it is close to the inlet mouth 41 (figure 5) and a second position, in which it is close to, or to each, opening 27a-27d (figure 7) .
  • a stop element 12 can be provided, for example a ring co-axial to the longitudinal recess 15, arranged to stop the translation of the piston 20 when a certain position is reached.
  • the stroke of the piston 20 is, in any case, advantageously provided longer than the stroke of the, or each, spring 71. Therefore, at the second position, the piston 20, remains at a predetermined distance from the stop element 12 (figure 7) . In other words, when the piston 20 is arranged in the second position, a certain amount of liquid is present in the first chamber 30 .
  • the compensation of the pressure in the chamber 40 containing the liquid sample avoids, among the others, that, once in surface, at the moment of collecting the liquid sample, the container 10 does not explode owing to the difference of pressures between the inside of the chamber and the outside environment jeopardizing the whole step of collecting the liquid sample and putting also in danger the safety of the workers in case the liquid contains dangerous substances, in particular harmful, or toxic, for human beings.
  • the stop element 12 has at least one opening 31 through which the chamber 30 is always hydraulically connected with the outside environment, or is configured in such a way to leave an opening 31 to the passage of the liquid between the outside environment and the first chamber 30.
  • the shape of the stop element 12 can be suitable to define, for example with the inner wall of the hollow container body 10, the or each opening 31.
  • Some possible exemplary embodiments of the stop element 12 are shown for example in figures 12A to 12C, the stop element 12 may have different shapes arranged to form more openings, for example 2 openings 31 (figure 12A) , 4 openings 31 (figure 12B) , 3 openings 31 (figure 12C), etc.
  • the stop element 12 may have a single opening 31. It is in any case provided that the stop element 12 can have a higher number of openings 31.
  • An exemplary embodiment of the stop element 12 with two, or more openings 31, is for example shown in figures 13A and 13B that show longitudinal sections of the sampler 1.
  • the translation of the piston 20 in the longitudinal recess 15 produces a depression in the second chamber 40. This causes an attraction of liquid from the outside environment in the chamber 40 through the inlet mouth 41.
  • the actuation device 60 is adapted to return the inlet mouth 41 of the chamber 40 in the closed configuration, in order to avoid the contamination of the sample in it collected .
  • the chamber 40 is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment by means of hydraulic sealing elements.
  • hydraulic sealing elements can be, for example two 0-rings 50a and 50b, or two oil seals, which are located between the inner wall 11 of the hollow container body 10 and the side wall 21 of the piston 20.
  • each sealing element 50a, 50b can be housed within a respective groove 22a and 22b.
  • Such particular arrangement of hydraulic sealing elements provides also a cleaning action of the inner surface 11 of the hollow container body 10 during the translation of the piston 20 from the first to the second position, since the. two O-ring 50a and 50b slide, during the translation, against the wall 11.
  • a further hydraulic sealing element is also provided at the closure mouth 41.
  • the actuation device is adapted to selectively arrange the hollow container body 10 between a rest position, in which the chamber 30 is flooded (figure 5) , a suction configuration in which the piston 20 translates from the first position to the. second position and the inlet mouth 41 is arranged in the open configuration (figure 6) , and a configuration of hydraulic sealing of the chamber 40 in which the liquid sample of interest is contained (figure 7) .
  • the particular technical solution to provide that the first containing chamber 30 is always hydraulically connected with the outside environment through at least one opening 31 allows, in operating conditions, to keep the chamber 30 same constantly flooded of liquid, for example of sea water in case of sea inspections. This way, it is possible to avoid the production of bubbles of air in the hollow container body 10 and to keep substantially constant the weight of the sampler 1 during all the steps of collecting of the liquid sample. During the use, the sampler 1 remains immersed into the liquid from which the liquid sample of interest has to be picked up.
  • the inlet mouth 41 is associated with a closure member 45 arranged to pass between a closed position of the inlet mouth 41 and an open position of the inlet mouth 41 same operated by the actuation device.
  • the hollow container body 10 at the inlet mouth 41 can, be made of a flexible material and the actuation device can take the inlet mouth 41 from the closed configuration to the open configuration resiliently deforming the flexible material of the hollow container body 10.
  • the actuation device can comprise a first actuation element 60 arranged to selectively arrange the inlet mouth 41 between the closed configuration and the open configuration and a second actuation element 70 arranged to cause the piston 20 to translate from the first to the second position.
  • the second actuation element 70 can provide at least one resilient push element 71, for example two springs ( Figure 4), arranged to produce a push action on the piston 20, in order to cause the above described translation of the piston from the first to the second position and an opposition element 75 arranged to oppose the push action of the resilient push element 71 until the inlet mouth 41 remains in the closed configuration.
  • the resilient push element 71 may have a first end 72 constrained, for example at a seat 74, to the hollow container body 10 and the other end constrained to the piston 20, or to the stem 25.
  • the resilient push element 71 is housed in a compressed configuration within seat 74 to which it is constrained at a first end 72, whereas the other end 73 is constrained to an enlarged head, or closure plate 26.
  • the resilient push element 71 is kept in the compressed configuration by an opposition element 75.
  • the piston 20 is provided integral to a stem 25 at a first end portion 21.
  • the enlarged portion 26, for example plate-shaped, can be, instead, provided at a second end 22 of the stem 25, equipped with at least one through holes 27, for example 4 through holes 27a-27d as shown in figure 1 through which the liquid into which the sampler 1 is immersed, for example sea water, can pass to the chamber 30 through the opening 31 when the inlet mouth 41 is positioned in the closed configuration, in order to flood the chamber 30 same.
  • the plate 26 At a rest position of the sampler 1, the plate 26 abuts against a surface 28, whereas at the end of the suction configuration the plate 26 is arranged at a distance from the surface 28.
  • both the first and the second actuation element are electrically operated.
  • a power supply is provided to which the first and the second actuation element are electrically connected.
  • the first actuation element 60 can be, for example, a solenoid, in particular a linear solenoid.
  • a solenoid in particular a linear solenoid.
  • the solenoid keeps the closure member 45 in a closed position of the inlet mouth 41.
  • the solenoid 60 is crossed by electric current, or is crossed by a current higher than the predetermined threshold value i*, it causes the movement of the closure member 45 from the closed position to the open position of the inlet mouth 40.
  • the resilient push element 71 of the second actuation element 70 can be kept in the configuration compressed of figure 5 by an electromagnet 75. Also this can be electrically connected with the power supply and applying a magnetic action on the plate 26, for example, when it is crossed by current, or by a current larger than the threshold value i* that, therefore, in this case provides ferromagnetic material.
  • the electromagnet 75 wins the resilient force of the push element 71 keeping it in the compressed configuration.
  • the electromagnet 75 does not exert the magnetic attraction force on the plate 26 and therefore the resilient push element 71 pushing on the closure plate 26 causes the piston 20 to translate in the longitudinal recess 15 of the hollow container body 10.
  • At least one among the first and the second actuation element 60, 70 can be mechanically, or pneumatically, or hydraulically operated.
  • the possibility is provided to assemble a predetermined number of collecting devices of liquid samples, for example 4 liquid samples la-Id, on an underwater support, such as a ROV (Remotely- Operated Vehicle) 200 remotely operated for example by a joystick, or a joypad, or similar interface elements.
  • ROV Remote- Operated Vehicle
  • the ROV 200 can be operated from a remote position from which it is possible to follow the movements of the vehicle same displaying on a monitor the images shot in real time by a video camera mounted on the vehicle for example at a cupola made of glass, or other transparent material 260.
  • the underwater remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, 200 has a main body 211 with substantially cylindrical shape moved by means of four propellers 231-234. More in detail, a first propeller 231 can be provided arranged to produce a first thrust on said main body along a substantially axial direction, a second propeller 232 located opposite to the first propeller 231 with respect to the main body 211 and arranged to make a second thrust on said main body which are also along a substantially axial direction .
  • a third propeller 233 can be provided arranged to make a third thrust along a direction substantially transversal to , the main body and a fourth propeller 234 arranged to make a fourth thrust along a direction substantially transversal to the main body.
  • first and the second propeller 231 and 232 are used for causing a thrust of movement and a rotation on the vehicle 200 about its substantially vertical rotation axis 210 (Fig. 8) .
  • the third and the fourth propeller 233 and 234 are arranged along a substantially radial direction to the main body 211 and are adapted to produce a substantially vertical thrust, in order to change the depth of the vehicle and a rotation of the vehicle 200 same about the side axis 216 of the vehicle 200 that passes horizontally between the motors 233 and 234 (figure 10) .
  • the outlet mouths 243 and 244 of the third and of the fourth propeller 233 and 234 are arranged along a same generatrix of the main body 211 substantially cylindrically shaped.
  • the particular type of propeller system chosen by the present invention for moving the underwater remotely operated vehicle provides a high manoeuvrability of the vehicle same also in hostile surroundings as the inner area of a wreck, or the caverns of the sea floors, or the shafts formed between rocks.
  • a protection frame 250 comprising a plurality of elongated shaped portions 251 and configured to form a substantially reticular structure.

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Abstract

Improved structure of liquid sampler (1) for underwater inspections comprising a hollow container body (10) having a longitudinal recess (15) in which it is slidingly mounted a piston (20). This divides the longitudinal recess (15) in a first containing chamber (30) hydraulically connected with the outside environment through at least one opening (31), and in a second containing chamber (40) equipped with at least one inlet mouth (41). Furthermore, a actuation device (60,70) is provided arranged to selectively arrange the or each inlet mouth (41) between a closed configuration, in which the second containing chamber (40) is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment and the first containing chamber (30) is flooded, and an open configuration, in which the second containing chamber (40) is hydraulically connected with the outside environment. The actuation device (60,70) is adapted, moreover, to cause a translation of the piston (20) in the longitudinal recess (15) from a first position, in which it is close to the, or to each, inlet mouth (41) and a second position, in which it is close to the, or each, opening (31). The translation of the piston (20) produces, in particular, a depression in the second chamber (30) that causes the introduction inside of the chamber of a predetermined volume of a liquid sample through the or each inlet mouth (41).

Description

TITLE
IMPROVED STRUCTURE OF SAMPLER FOR UNDERWATER INSPECTIONS
DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the field of devices for collecting samples of liquids, such as samples of water, in particular sea water, river water, lake water, and more in detail it relates to an improved structure of sampler for underwater inspections. Description of the prior art
As well known, the monitoring of underwater environments, both sea environments, and lake environments, and river environments and industrial environments can be for example executed by scuba divers who plunge into the water of interest and once arrived at the area of interest use collecting devices that are operated by the scuba divers themselves for picking up manually the sample of water of interest.
However, this type of activity can be very difficult, expensive and dangerous for the workers involved because the area of interest can be a hostile surrounding, such as an oceanic floor, or a cavern, or an underwater ravine difficult to reach from a technical "scuba diver".
Another restriction of this method of working is that this type of operations can be carried out only in determined meteo-climatic conditions.
For the above described reasons the activity of monitoring in hostile surroundings for man are carried out using underwater Remotely operated vehicles, (ROV) , or Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) on which are mounted remotely operated samplers .
However the known remotely operated samplers have some drawbacks. Firstly, the samplers of liquid are at first empty and have therefore a predetermined starting weight. Once the sample of interest has been collected, the weight of the sampler changes with respect to the starting weight and therefore the distribution of the loads on the underwater vehicle changes. Therefore, the underwater vehicle, not more balanced, becomes difficult to be remotely operated in particular in case of small vehicles, i.e. comparable to the size of the sampler used. Therefore, in order to avoid this drawback it is necessary to use vehicles of large size. This causes a high energy consumption for supplying the vehicle and for moving the same. Furthermore, vehicles of large size have limited possibility to use because they cannot be used for inspecting ravines, small caverns, or the inside of wrecks .
Another drawback of the remotely operated samplers of known type is that during the ascending step of the ROV an overpressure is created in the chamber in which the liquid sample has been collected. This can cause structural damages of the sampler and then a contamination of the sample contained inside of the chamber.
In "Development of an active, large volume, discrete seawater sampler for autonomous underwater vehicles" a sampler of high capacity is described, in particular having a volume of 2 litres.
The sampler is substantially syringe-shaped, because it consists of a piston that is arranged movable in a cylinder. More in detail, the sampler is arranged in a containing case of a vehicle with the front end oriented towards the environment and the rear end arranged in the containing case same, in order not to be in communication with the outside environment.
The sample to be examined is introduced inside the cylinder through an unidirectional valve arranged at the front end of the sampler. The unidirectional valve only provides a loaded spring. Inside the sampler is preliminarily introduced a certain amount of water that, then, is expelled through holes made in a rear cover of the sampler through which the water outflows in the hollow container body of the vehicle. Then, the water exits from the vehicle through apertures. During the introduction of the sample in the cylinder, the movement of the piston is guided by one, or two, springs.
The sampler has a compensation system of the pressure that consists of a diaphragm, made of silicone rubber, and mounted at the front end of the body of the sampler at which the sample enters the cylinder. More in detail, when a sample is collected at high depth, the diaphragm expands outwards to allow a depressurization during the step of ascending in surface. Instead, when the sample is collected at low depth, i.e. near the surface, the diaphragm expands inward . The membrane has an elastic constant that is lower than that of the spring of the unidirectional valve. Such technical solution that is designed for avoiding that, when the sampler is located at a depth higher than that of the collecting the water can be pushed inside the sampler, is not actually able to ensure the necessary sealing conditions once the sample is introduced inside the cylinder.
Therefore, it is in any case possible that, during the use of the sampler, the sample of interest is contaminated by liquid that enters the cylinder through the unidirectional valve.
In US3277723 a sampler is described comprising a containing chamber inside of which, before proceeding with the collecting of the sample to be examined, distilled water is introduced through an opening that, in operating conditions, is hermetically closed by a plug. The containing chamber remains insulated from the outside environment up to the moment of collecting the sample to be examined. More in detail, the introduction of the sample in the containing chamber is carried out through the opening of a valve that is kept in a closed position by a spring and that opens when the external pressure is higher than a predetermined value, i.e. to the achieving of a predetermined depth.
In WO2012016063 a sampler is described comprising a triggering mechanism, a device for sampling the water and a pumping mechanism . The device for sampling the water cooperates with the triggering mechanism and comprises a removable container and a pinch mechanism. The removable container is arranged in the device for sampling the water and provides an inlet, an inlet tube and a collecting bag attached to the inlet tube. The pinch mechanism is located adjacent to the inlet tube and surrounds it and is arranged near the collecting bag. When the pinch mechanism is closed it prevents water from penetrating in the inlet tube and in the collecting bag. When it is open, the pinch mechanism allows water to enter the inlet tube and the collecting bag. A pumping mechanism creates a water flow for causing the collecting bag to collect water when the pinch mechanism is in the open position.
Summary of the invention It is then a feature of the present invention to provide an improved structure of sampler for underwater inspections that allows to keep substantially fixed the distribution of the loads on the underwater support on which the sampler is mounted and therefore that ensures of moving the underwater support same with a high precision.
It is then a feature of the present invention to provide an improved structure of sampler for underwater inspections arranged to avoid possible contaminations of the liquid sample once collected.
It is also a feature of the present invention to provide such an improved structure of sampler capable of compensating both the decreasing of the external pressure during the ascending in surface that the increasing of the external pressure during the plunge eliminating problems of overpressure, or structural problems, and then capable of working in an extremely wide range of pressures.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provide such an improved structure of sampler that is structurally easy.
It is still a further feature of the present invention to provide a structure of underwater vehicle, such as a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, or an underwater autonomous vehicle, or AUV, on which at least one sampler having the same advantages is mounted.
These and other objects are achieved by an improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections comprising :
- a hollow container body having a longitudinal recess;
- a piston slidingly mounted in said longitudinal recess, said piston which is adapted to divides said longitudinal recess in a first containing chamber that, in use, is always in hydraulic connection with the outside environment through at least one opening, in such a way that, in use, said first containing chamber is flooded, and in a second containing chamber equipped with at least one inlet mouth, said, or each, inlet mouth being associated with a closure member movable between a closed position of said inlet mouth and an open position of said inlet mouth;
- an actuation device arranged to selectively arrange said, or each, closure member between a closed configuration, in which said second containing chamber is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment and said first containing chamber is flooded, and a open configuration, in which said second containing chamber is in hydraulic connection with the outside environment;
said actuation device arranged also to cause a translation said piston in said longitudinal recess from a first position, in which it is close to said, or each, inlet mouth and a second position, in which it is close to said, or each, opening, said translation of said piston producing a depression in said second chamber that causes the introduction inside of it of a predetermined volume of a liquid sample through said, or each, inlet mouth; said actuation device being then arranged to return said inlet mouth from said open configuration to said closed configuration once said piston reaches said second position;
- hydraulic sealing elements arranged to keep said second containing chamber hydraulically insulated from the outside environment when said inlet mouth is located in said closed configuration.
The actuation device can be remotely operated.
Alternatively, the actuation device can be operated in predetermined conditions, for example when a predetermined depth is reached and/or when a predetermined pressure is reached and/or when a predetermined position is reached and/or at a predetermined instant and/or at a predetermined temperature.
Advantageously, the actuation device is operated, in particular remotely, by an actuation device selected from the group consisting of:
- an actuation device of electric type;
- an actuation device of mechanical type;
- an actuation device of pneumatic type;
- an actuation device of hydraulic type;
- or a combination thereof.
In the case of an actuation device of electric type, a power supply is provided and said actuation device can be electrically connected to the power supply.
In particular, the actuation device can be configured to cause the movement of the inlet mouth by the closed configuration to the open configuration and to cause the piston to translate from the first to the second position, when the actuation device is crossed by a predetermined electric current generated by the power supply. For example, until the actuation device is not crossed by electric current, or is crossed by an electric current that is lower than a predetermined threshold value i*, the actuation device is adapted to keep the inlet mouth in the closed configuration and to keep the piston in the first position. Instead, when the actuation device is crossed by current, or by a current higher than the threshold value i*, it is configured to cause the movement of the inlet mouth from the closed configuration to the open configuration and to cause the piston to translate from the first to the second position.
It is, in any case, also provided that the actuation device is adapted to keep the inlet mouth in the closed configuration and to keep the piston in the first position until a current flows and to cause the inlet mouth to move in the open configuration and the piston to translate in the second position when it is not crossed by current, i.e. when the electric current generated by the power supply and that crosses the actuation device in the closed configuration of the inlet mouth stops to pass through the actuation device same.
In particular, the actuation device may comprise:
- a first actuation element arranged to selectively arrange said inlet mouth between the closed configuration and the open configuration;
- a second actuation element arranged to cause said piston to translate from said first to said second position when said inlet mouth is in said open configuration . Advantageously, the second actuation element provides:
- at least one push element arranged to produce a push action on said piston for causing it to translate from said first to said second position;
- an opposition element which is arranged to be arranged between a locking configuration , in which said opposition element is adapted to oppose said push action of said pushing element, and a release configuration, in which said opposition element does not oppose said action of said pushing element, in said release configuration of said opposition element, said push element arranged to cause said translation of said piston from said first to said second position .
Advantageously, the piston is integral to a first end portion of an elongated element, or stem, slidingly mounted in the longitudinal recess, said stem having a second end portion opposite to the first end portion.
In particular, the push element is configured to apply a push action directly on said piston, or to produce the push action on said piston through an action exerted on said stem. More in detail, the push element can be engaged to the piston, or to the stem of the piston for example at the second end portion thereof.
Advantageously, a closure plate is connected to the second end of the stem when the piston is arranged in the first position the closure plate is adapted to abut on a surface of said hollow body that externally define said opening of said first chamber. In particular, the closure plate has at least one through hole arranged to hydraulically connect the first containing chamber with the outside environment through the above described opening, in order to allow a flooding, in use, of the first containing chamber.
Advantageously, the push element is a push element of resilient type, said opposition element, in said configuration of locking arranged to keep said push element of resilient type in a compressed configuration.
In particular, the push element of resilient type may have a first end integral to the hollow body and a second end integral to the closure plate, and an opposition element can be provided which is adapted to selectively arrange said push element of resilient type between a compressed configuration and an elongated configuration in which said piston is in said second position.
Advantageously, a stop element is provided arranged to stop the translation of the piston from the first to the second position. In particular, the stop element is provided with the opening through which the first containing chamber is always in communication with the outside environment. Furthermore, depending on the shape of the stop element, this has a hole that is .crossed, in use, by said stem of said piston.
Advantageously, the stop element has a shape such that it defines said opening through which said first chamber is always hydraulically connected with said outside environment .
In particular, the push element of resilient type can be housed, at least in part, in a seat obtained in said stop element.
Preferably, the push element of resilient type is configured in such a way that, during the translation of said piston from said first to said second position, the resilient push element same is adapted to carry out a stroke lower than the stroke of said piston. This way, at the second position of the piston, a predetermined amount of liquid is still present in the first containing chamber. In case said stop element is provided in the second position, the piston does not abut against the stop element .
This technical solution ensures that, during the ascending, the pressure in the second chamber is compensated from the external pressure. This way, then over-pressure, or structural, problems are eliminated, and therefore it is given to the sampler the capacity to work at whichever depth. In the meantime the technical solution provided by the present invention ensures also a high seal of the containing chamber and, accordingly, it is avoided that the sample, once collected, is polluted by other liquid.
Furthermore, the compensation mechanism of the pressure is completely free from the mechanism through which the sample is arranged in the second containing chamber. In particular, the compensation mechanism can be located opposite to the inlet mouth. Also this feature, unlike the prior art solutions, such as the above- described one in "Development of an active, large volume, discrete seawater sampler for autonomous underwater vehicles", ensures that, once the sample of interest is inserted in the second containing chamber, this remains sealed ensuring that the sample same is not polluted by liquid different from that one of interest.
In particular, the hollow container body can be mounted on an underwater support, for example a ROV operated from a remote position. '
Advantageously, the actuation device is selected from the group consisting of:
- a solenoid, in particular a linear solenoid;
- a mechanical actuator;
- a pneumatic actuator;
- a hydraulic actuator;
- or a combination thereof.
Preferably, the underwater support is a mobile support .
In particular, the movable underwater support can be a an underwater remotely operated vehicle, i.e. A ROV.
According to another aspect of the invention, an underwater vehicle, for example, remotely operated, or ROV, or an underwater autonomous vehicle, or AUV, comprises :
- a main body;
- a propulsion unit arranged to move the main body; - at least one liquid sampler for underwater inspections connected to said main body and comprising :
- a hollow container body having a longitudinal recess ;
- a piston slidingly mounted in said longitudinal recess, said piston being adapted to divide said longitudinal recess in a first containing chamber in hydraulic connection with the outside environment through at least one opening and in a second containing chamber provided with an inlet mouth; - hydraulic sealing elements arranged to keep said second containing chamber hydraulically insulated from the outside environment;
- an actuation device arranged to selectively arrange said inlet mouth between a closed configuration, in which said second containing chamber is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment, and an open configuration, in which said second containing chamber is hydraulically connected with the outside environment, said actuation device arranged also to cause a translation of said piston from a first position, in which it is close to said inlet mouth and a second position, in which it is close to said, or each, opening, said translation of said piston creating a depression in said second chamber that causes the introduction inside of the same of a predetermined volume of a liquid sample through said inlet mouth.
Advantageously, a plurality of samplers of liquid is provided, each liquid sampler of said plurality being constrained to said main body of said vehicle.
In particular, the actuation device for each sampler can be remotely operated, for example by said electric actuation device, acting on an interface element arranged in a remote position from which the underwater vehicle is remotely operated for example following the movements by a monitor on which the images captured by a video camera mounted on the vehicle same are displayed.
In particular, a control unit can be provided through which it is possible to remotely operate the vehicle. Advantageously, at least one video camera is provided mounted on the vehicle and arranged to detect the images that are then transmitted to a display device arranged at said control unit.
Furthermore, the control unit can comprise an interface element, for example a joystick, or a joypad, by which a user can manoeuvre the vehicle on the basis of the images displayed on the display device.
Advantageously, the main body has a substantially cylindrical shape.
In particular, the propulsion unit may comprise:
- a first propeller arranged to produce on said main body a first thrust along a substantially axial direction;
- a second propeller located opposite to the first propeller with respect to the main body, said second propeller arranged to produce on said main body a second thrust along a substantially axial direction;
- a third propeller arranged to produce on said main body a third thrust along a substantially transversal direction; and
- a fourth propeller arranged to produce on said main body a fourth thrust along a substantially transversal direction and parallel to the thrust direction produced by the third propeller.
In particular, the first and the second propeller are used for producing a thrust of movement and a rotation of the vehicle about a substantially vertical rotation axis. The third and the fourth propellers are, instead, arranged to produce a substantially vertical thrust, in order to change the depth of the vehicle and a rotation of the vehicle same about the side axis of the vehicle.
Advantageously, the third and the fourth propellers are arranged along a substantially radial direction and pass through the axis of the main body.
In particular, the outlet mouths of the third and of the fourth propellers are arranged along a same generatrix of the main body with substantially cylindrical shape.
The particular type of propeller system chosen by the present invention for moving the underwater remotely operated vehicle provides a high manoeuvrability of the vehicle same also in hostile surroundings like the inner areas of a wreck.
Advantageously, a protection frame of said main body is provided , said protection frame comprising a plurality of elongated shaped portions and being configured to form a substantially reticular structure.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will be now shown with the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:
- figure 1 diagrammatically shows a perspective side view of a possible exemplary embodiment of an improved structure of liquid sampler according to the invention in a rest configuration;
- figure 2 diagrammatically shows a perspective side view of the improved structure of liquid sampler of Fig. 1 at the end of the suction configuration;
- figure 3 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of Fig. 1; - figure 4 diagrammatically shows in a top plan view an exemplary embodiment of the structure of sampler of figure 1 and at the end of a suction configuration;
- figure 5 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of figurel in operating conditions, i.e. immersed into a liquid, for example water, with a containing chamber that is flooded and the other containing chamber that is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment;
- figure 6 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of figure 5 in operating conditions, during a suction configuration of the liquid to be collected;
- figure 7 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of sampler of figure 5 in the sealing configuration " of the collecting chamber of the liquid sample of interest;
- figure 8 shows an elevational front view of a possible exemplary embodiment of an underwater support on which more samplers can be installed;
- figures 9 to 11 show, respectively, a side view, a top plan view, and a perspective view of the underwater support of figure 8,;
- figures 12Ά to 12C diagrammatically show some possible exemplary embodiments of the stop element of the invention;
- figures 13A and 13B diagrammatically show in two different operating conditions an exemplary embodiment of the sampler of figure 3 in a cross longitudinal section . Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments
As diagrammatically shown in figure 1, an improved structure of a liquid sampler 1 for underwater inspections comprises a hollow container body 10, for example substantially cylindrical shaped that has a longitudinal recess 15. In the longitudinal recess 15 is slidingly mounted a piston 20 that divides the longitudinal recess 15 in a first containing chamber 30 in hydraulic connection with the outside environment through at least one opening, for example 4 openings 27a-27d, and in a second containing chamber 40 provided with an inlet mouth 41.
According to the present invention the improved structure of sampler 1 comprises also an. actuation device arranged to selectively arrange the inlet mouth 41 between a closed configuration (figures 1, 3 and 5), in which the second containing chamber 40 is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment, and an open configuration (figure 6) in which the second containing chamber 40 is hydraulically connected with the outside environment. The actuation device is adapted also to cause a translation of the piston 20 from a first position, in which it is close to the inlet mouth 41 (figure 5) and a second position, in which it is close to, or to each, opening 27a-27d (figure 7) .
In the longitudinal recess 15 a stop element 12 can be provided, for example a ring co-axial to the longitudinal recess 15, arranged to stop the translation of the piston 20 when a certain position is reached.
The stroke of the piston 20 is, in any case, advantageously provided longer than the stroke of the, or each, spring 71. Therefore, at the second position, the piston 20, remains at a predetermined distance from the stop element 12 (figure 7) . In other words, when the piston 20 is arranged in the second position, a certain amount of liquid is present in the first chamber 30 .
This way, once the liquid sample is collected, during the ascending in surface, or the descending, of the sampler 1, it is possible to compensate the pressure in the chamber 40 now watertight, with the external pressure eliminating over-pressure, or structural problems and conferring to the device of working in an extremely large range of pressures. In particular, the compensation of the pressure in the chamber 40 containing the liquid sample avoids, among the others, that, once in surface, at the moment of collecting the liquid sample, the container 10 does not explode owing to the difference of pressures between the inside of the chamber and the outside environment jeopardizing the whole step of collecting the liquid sample and putting also in danger the safety of the workers in case the liquid contains dangerous substances, in particular harmful, or toxic, for human beings.
The stop element 12 has at least one opening 31 through which the chamber 30 is always hydraulically connected with the outside environment, or is configured in such a way to leave an opening 31 to the passage of the liquid between the outside environment and the first chamber 30. In particular, the shape of the stop element 12 can be suitable to define, for example with the inner wall of the hollow container body 10, the or each opening 31. Some possible exemplary embodiments of the stop element 12 are shown for example in figures 12A to 12C, the stop element 12 may have different shapes arranged to form more openings, for example 2 openings 31 (figure 12A) , 4 openings 31 (figure 12B) , 3 openings 31 (figure 12C), etc.
As described above, the stop element 12 may have a single opening 31. It is in any case provided that the stop element 12 can have a higher number of openings 31. An exemplary embodiment of the stop element 12 with two, or more openings 31, is for example shown in figures 13A and 13B that show longitudinal sections of the sampler 1.
According to the invention and diagrammatically shown in figure 6, the translation of the piston 20 in the longitudinal recess 15 produces a depression in the second chamber 40. This causes an attraction of liquid from the outside environment in the chamber 40 through the inlet mouth 41.
Once the piston 20 has achieved the second position, the actuation device 60 is adapted to return the inlet mouth 41 of the chamber 40 in the closed configuration, in order to avoid the contamination of the sample in it collected .
More in detail, the chamber 40 is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment by means of hydraulic sealing elements. These can be, for example two 0-rings 50a and 50b, or two oil seals, which are located between the inner wall 11 of the hollow container body 10 and the side wall 21 of the piston 20. For example, each sealing element 50a, 50b can be housed within a respective groove 22a and 22b. Such particular arrangement of hydraulic sealing elements provides also a cleaning action of the inner surface 11 of the hollow container body 10 during the translation of the piston 20 from the first to the second position, since the. two O-ring 50a and 50b slide, during the translation, against the wall 11. A further hydraulic sealing element is also provided at the closure mouth 41.
Therefore, the actuation device is adapted to selectively arrange the hollow container body 10 between a rest position, in which the chamber 30 is flooded (figure 5) , a suction configuration in which the piston 20 translates from the first position to the. second position and the inlet mouth 41 is arranged in the open configuration (figure 6) , and a configuration of hydraulic sealing of the chamber 40 in which the liquid sample of interest is contained (figure 7) .
The particular technical solution to provide that the first containing chamber 30 is always hydraulically connected with the outside environment through at least one opening 31 allows, in operating conditions, to keep the chamber 30 same constantly flooded of liquid, for example of sea water in case of sea inspections. This way, it is possible to avoid the production of bubbles of air in the hollow container body 10 and to keep substantially constant the weight of the sampler 1 during all the steps of collecting of the liquid sample. During the use, the sampler 1 remains immersed into the liquid from which the liquid sample of interest has to be picked up.
The above described feature of the present invention is particularly relevant if, as it will be discussed hereinafter, more samplers 1 are mounted on a same underwater support 200, for example a ROV. In fact, since the weight of each sampler 1 does not change during the operation, the conditions of weight and the distribution of the loads on the vehicle, for example a ROV 200, or a AUV, do not change and therefore the vehicle can keep its trim in the water. This guarantees a high stability of the vehicle 200 and the possibility to use vehicles smaller than those presently used. In particular, it is possible to use vehicles of size comparable to the size of the sampler.
For the above, it is possible to move the vehicle with a high precision, necessary condition in order to inspect hostile surroundings such as caverns, shelters and ravines of an underwater environment.
In the exemplary embodiment of figures 3 and from 5 to
7, the inlet mouth 41 is associated with a closure member 45 arranged to pass between a closed position of the inlet mouth 41 and an open position of the inlet mouth 41 same operated by the actuation device.
In an exemplary embodiment, not shown in the figures, instead, the hollow container body 10 at the inlet mouth 41 can, be made of a flexible material and the actuation device can take the inlet mouth 41 from the closed configuration to the open configuration resiliently deforming the flexible material of the hollow container body 10.
Still with reference to figures 1 to 7, the actuation device can comprise a first actuation element 60 arranged to selectively arrange the inlet mouth 41 between the closed configuration and the open configuration and a second actuation element 70 arranged to cause the piston 20 to translate from the first to the second position.
The second actuation element 70 can provide at least one resilient push element 71, for example two springs (Figure 4), arranged to produce a push action on the piston 20, in order to cause the above described translation of the piston from the first to the second position and an opposition element 75 arranged to oppose the push action of the resilient push element 71 until the inlet mouth 41 remains in the closed configuration. More in detail, the resilient push element 71 may have a first end 72 constrained, for example at a seat 74, to the hollow container body 10 and the other end constrained to the piston 20, or to the stem 25.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in particular in figure 5, the resilient push element 71 is housed in a compressed configuration within seat 74 to which it is constrained at a first end 72, whereas the other end 73 is constrained to an enlarged head, or closure plate 26. The resilient push element 71 is kept in the compressed configuration by an opposition element 75. More in detail, the piston 20 is provided integral to a stem 25 at a first end portion 21. The enlarged portion 26, for example plate-shaped, can be, instead, provided at a second end 22 of the stem 25, equipped with at least one through holes 27, for example 4 through holes 27a-27d as shown in figure 1 through which the liquid into which the sampler 1 is immersed, for example sea water, can pass to the chamber 30 through the opening 31 when the inlet mouth 41 is positioned in the closed configuration, in order to flood the chamber 30 same. At a rest position of the sampler 1, the plate 26 abuts against a surface 28, whereas at the end of the suction configuration the plate 26 is arranged at a distance from the surface 28.
In a possible exemplary embodiment both the first and the second actuation element are electrically operated. In this case a power supply is provided to which the first and the second actuation element are electrically connected.
The first actuation element 60 can be, for example, a solenoid, in particular a linear solenoid. When the solenoid 60 is not crossed by electric current, or is crossed by a current lower than a predetermined threshold value i*, the solenoid keeps the closure member 45 in a closed position of the inlet mouth 41. Instead, when the solenoid 60 is crossed by electric current, or is crossed by a current higher than the predetermined threshold value i*, it causes the movement of the closure member 45 from the closed position to the open position of the inlet mouth 40.
The resilient push element 71 of the second actuation element 70 can be kept in the configuration compressed of figure 5 by an electromagnet 75. Also this can be electrically connected with the power supply and applying a magnetic action on the plate 26, for example, when it is crossed by current, or by a current larger than the threshold value i* that, therefore, in this case provides ferromagnetic material.
Therefore, in the situation shown in figure 5, the electromagnet 75 wins the resilient force of the push element 71 keeping it in the compressed configuration. Instead, in the situation shown, for example, in figure 6, the electromagnet 75 does not exert the magnetic attraction force on the plate 26 and therefore the resilient push element 71 pushing on the closure plate 26 causes the piston 20 to translate in the longitudinal recess 15 of the hollow container body 10.
Alternatively, at least one among the first and the second actuation element 60, 70 can be mechanically, or pneumatically, or hydraulically operated.
As shown in figures 8 to 11, the possibility is provided to assemble a predetermined number of collecting devices of liquid samples, for example 4 liquid samples la-Id, on an underwater support, such as a ROV (Remotely- Operated Vehicle) 200 remotely operated for example by a joystick, or a joypad, or similar interface elements.
As well known, the ROV 200 can be operated from a remote position from which it is possible to follow the movements of the vehicle same displaying on a monitor the images shot in real time by a video camera mounted on the vehicle for example at a cupola made of glass, or other transparent material 260.
The underwater remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, 200 has a main body 211 with substantially cylindrical shape moved by means of four propellers 231-234. More in detail, a first propeller 231 can be provided arranged to produce a first thrust on said main body along a substantially axial direction, a second propeller 232 located opposite to the first propeller 231 with respect to the main body 211 and arranged to make a second thrust on said main body which are also along a substantially axial direction .
Furthermore, a third propeller 233 can be provided arranged to make a third thrust along a direction substantially transversal to , the main body and a fourth propeller 234 arranged to make a fourth thrust along a direction substantially transversal to the main body.
In particular, the first and the second propeller 231 and 232 are used for causing a thrust of movement and a rotation on the vehicle 200 about its substantially vertical rotation axis 210 (Fig. 8) .
The third and the fourth propeller 233 and 234 are arranged along a substantially radial direction to the main body 211 and are adapted to produce a substantially vertical thrust, in order to change the depth of the vehicle and a rotation of the vehicle 200 same about the side axis 216 of the vehicle 200 that passes horizontally between the motors 233 and 234 (figure 10) .
As shown in figure 11, the outlet mouths 243 and 244 of the third and of the fourth propeller 233 and 234 are arranged along a same generatrix of the main body 211 substantially cylindrically shaped.
The particular type of propeller system chosen by the present invention for moving the underwater remotely operated vehicle provides a high manoeuvrability of the vehicle same also in hostile surroundings as the inner area of a wreck, or the caverns of the sea floors, or the shafts formed between rocks.
As shown in from figures 8 to 11, a protection frame 250 is provided comprising a plurality of elongated shaped portions 251 and configured to form a substantially reticular structure.
The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt in various applications the specific exemplary embodiments without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is meant that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

1. Improved structure of liquid sampler (1) for underwater inspections comprising:
- a hollow container body (10) having a longitudinal recess ( 15 ) ;
- a piston (20) slidingly mounted in said longitudinal recess (15), said piston (20) arranged to divide said longitudinal recess (15) in a first containing chamber (30) and in a second containing chamber (40) provided with at least one inlet mouth (41);
said improved structure characterized in that, in use, is always hydraulically connected with the outside environment through at least one opening (31) whereby, in use, said first containing chamber (30) is flooded; in that said, or each, inlet mouth (41) is associated with a closure member (45) movable between a closed position of said inlet mouth (41) and an open position of said inlet mouth (41) ;
and in that are provided:
- an actuation device (60,70) arranged to selectively arrange said, or each, closure member (45) between said closed configuration, in which said second containing chamber (40) is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment and said first containing chamber (30) is flooded, and said open configuration, in which also said second containing chamber (40) is hydraulically connected with the outside environment; said actuation device (60,70) arranged also to cause a translation of said piston (20) in said longitudinal recess (15) from a first position, in which it is close to said, or each, inlet mouth (41) and a second position, in which it is close to said, or each, opening (31), said translation of said piston (20) producing a depression in said second chamber (30) that attracts a predetermined volume of liquid sample inside through said, or each, inlet mouth (41) ;
said actuation device (60,70) being, moreover, arranged to return said inlet mouth (41) from said open configuration to said closed configuration once said piston (20) reaches said second position;
- hydraulic sealing elements (50a, 50b) arranged to keep said second containing chamber (40) hydraulically insulated from the outside environment when said inlet mouth (41) is located in said closed configuration
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 1, wherein said actuation device (60,70) is operated by an actuation device of electric type.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 2, wherein said actuation device (60,70) is configured to cause said moving of said, or each, closure member (45) from said closed configuration to said open configuration and to cause said translation of said piston (20) from said first to said second position, when said actuation device (60,70) is crossed by a predetermined electric current generated by said power supply.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 2, wherein said actuation device (60,70) is configured to cause said moving of said, or each, closure member (45) from said closed configuration to said open configuration and to cause said translation of said piston (20) from said first to said second position, when a predetermined electric current generated by said power supply and that crosses said actuation device (60,70) in said closed configuration for said inlet mouth (41) stops of passing through said actuation device (60,70).
5. Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 1, wherein said actuation device (60,70) comprises:
- a first actuation element (60) arranged to selectively arrange said inlet mouth (41) between said closed configuration and said open configuration;
- a second actuation element (70) arranged to cause said translation of said piston (20) from said first to said second position when said inlet mouth (41) is in said open configuration.
6. Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 5, wherein said second actuation element (70) provides:
- at least one push element (71) arranged to produce a push action on said piston (20) for causing said translation from said first to said second position;
- an opposition element (75) configured to be arranged between a locking configuration in which said opposition element (75) is arranged to oppose to said push action of said push element (71) , and a release configuration, in which said opposition element (75) does not oppose said action of said push element (71), in said release configuration of said opposition element (75), said push element (71) arranged to cause said translation of said piston (20) from said first to said second position.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 6, wherein said push element (71) is a push element of resilient type.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 7, wherein said push element (71) of resilient type is configured in such a way that during the stroke of said piston (20) from said first to said second position of said push element (71) of resilient type is arranged to carry out a stroke shorter than the stroke of said piston (20) , in such a way that when said piston is in said second position, a predetermined amount of liquid is present in said first containing chamber (30) , in such a way that during the ascending in surface, or the descending, of said sampler (1), in said second chamber (40) there is a pressure capable of compensate the external pressure eliminating problems of over¬ pressure, or structural problems, and making, then, said sampler (1) capable of working in an extremely wide range of pressures.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 7, wherein an elongated element is provided that is slidingly mounted in said longitudinal recess (15) and have a first end to which said piston (20) is connected and a second end (22) to which a closure plate (26) is connected arranged to be located, in said first position of said piston (20) , to abut against a surface (28) of said hollow body (10) that externally defines said opening (31) of said first chamber (30), said closure plate (26) being equipped with at least one hole (27a-27d) arranged to hydraulically connect said first containing chamber (30) with the outside environment through said opening (31) , said push element (71) of resilient type having a first end (72) integral to said hollow body (10) and a second end (73) integral to said plate (26), and provided an opposition element (75) arranged to selectively arrange said push element of resilient type (71) between a compressed configuration and an elongated configuration in which said piston (20) is in said second position.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 6, wherein said actuation device (60,70) is selected from the group consisting of:
- a solenoid, in particular a linear solenoid;
- a mechanical actuator;
- a pneumatic actuator;
- a hydraulic actuator;
- or a combination thereof.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to any of the previous claims, wherein a stop element (12) is provided arranged to stop the translation of said piston (20) from said first to said second position.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 11, wherein said stop element (12) has said opening (31) through which, in use, said first chamber (30) is always hydraulically connected with said outside environment.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to claim 11, wherein said stop element (12) has a shape such that it defines said opening (31) through that, in use, said first chamber (30) is always hydraulically connected with said outside environment.
Improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to any of the previous claims, wherein said actuation device is remotely operated. improved structure of liquid sampler for underwater inspections, according to any of claims from 2 to 14, wherein said actuation device is remotely operated by said actuation device of electric type.
Structure of underwater vehicle (200) comprising:
- a main body (11) ;
- a propeller unit arranged to actuate said main body (11);
characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of liquid samplers (1), each sampler (1) of said plurality being connected to said main body (11) and comprising :
- a hollow container body (10) having a longitudinal recess (15) ; - a piston (20) slidingly mounted in said longitudinal recess (15), said piston (20) being arranged to divide said longitudinal recess (15) in a first containing chamber (30) always hydraulically connected with the outside environment through at least one opening (31) and in a second containing chamber (40) provided with an inlet mouth (41);
- a closure member (45) associated with said, or each, inlet mouth (41) , said, or each, closure member (45) being movable between a closed position of said inlet mouth (41) and an open position of said inlet mouth (41)
- hydraulic sealing elements (50a, 50b) arranged to keep said second containing chamber (40) hydraulically insulated from the outside environment ;
- an actuation device (60,70) arranged to selectively arrange said, or each, closure member
(45) between a closed position, in which said second containing chamber (40) is hydraulically insulated from the outside environment, and an open position, in which said second containing chamber
(40) is hydraulically connected with the outside environment, said actuation device (60,70) arranged also to cause a translation of said piston (20) from a first position, in which it is close to said inlet mouth (41) and a second position, in which it is close to said, or each, opening (31) , said translation of said piston (20) producing a depression in said second chamber (40) that attracts inside the chamber a predetermined volume of a liquid sample through said inlet mouth (41).
EP14805347.3A 2013-05-14 2014-05-14 Liquid sampler Withdrawn EP2997362A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000042A ITPI20130042A1 (en) 2013-05-14 2013-05-14 IMPROVED SAMPLER STRUCTURE FOR UNDERWATER INSPECTIONS
PCT/IB2014/061425 WO2015011579A2 (en) 2013-05-14 2014-05-14 Improved structure of sampler for underwater inspections

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EP2997362A2 true EP2997362A2 (en) 2016-03-23

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CN106092647B (en) * 2016-05-27 2019-02-05 浙江大学 A kind of water sampling unit for autonomous underwater robot
CN111855305A (en) * 2020-07-14 2020-10-30 上海交通大学 Liquid-pumping sampling type active pressure-maintaining in-situ seawater sampler and sampling method thereof
CN112179716B (en) * 2020-09-22 2022-11-01 河南省环境保护科学研究院 Water environment monitoring sampling system for basin environment monitoring
CN112485064B (en) * 2020-11-17 2023-07-25 哈尔滨工程大学 Deep sea water in-situ sampler
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CN118130171B (en) * 2024-05-10 2024-07-02 信联电子材料科技股份有限公司 Closed sampling device for liquid phase

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WO2015011579A3 (en) 2015-06-25
ITPI20130042A1 (en) 2014-11-15

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