Patents Assigned to Stiftung Alfred - Wegener - Institut Fuer Polar - und Meeresforschung
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Patent number: 8646390Abstract: A device for using technical equipment underwater includes at least one guide rail configured to extend vertically underwater on an edifice from above a waterline. At least one device carriage is provided and includes a basic unit having a reception flange configured to couple the technical equipment thereto, and at least one running unit that abuts against the guide rail via guide rollers. A press-on unit is disposed on a first side of the device carriage and includes a lever pivotable on an axis of the device carriage so as to generate a pressing force of the device carriage against the guide rail. The lever includes a support roller at a first end and a weight packet at a second end so as to exert a downward drifting force underwater that is greater than a buoyancy of the device carriage. At least two spacers are each disposed at a first end on the at least one device carriage and abutting the edifice at a second end.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar- und MeeresforschungInventors: Roland Krone, Philipp Kraemer
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Publication number: 20130210112Abstract: A bacterial mixture usable in an inoculum usable in a bioremediateion method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region includes a plurality of isolated cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains. Each of the bacterial strains has petroleum hydrocarbons degrading activity at an ambient temperature of ?3° C. and each has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different petroleum hydrocarbons degradation spectrum, and a different capacity to emulsify oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: STIFTUNG ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT FUER POLAR-UND MEERESFORSCHUNGInventor: STIFTUNG ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT FUER POLAR- UND MEERESFORSCHUNG
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Publication number: 20130070079Abstract: A method for automated real-time acquisition of a marine mammal in a natural body of water in the surroundings of a vessel includes detecting a thermal signature of the marine mammal is detected by imaging thermographic scanning of a water surface with an infrared camera system so as to generate an image data stream of consecutive images. A modular processing of the image data stream is performed including performing an image pre-processing, detecting local changes in contrast in the images, classifying the detected local changes in contrast so as to detect a pattern of the thermal signature of the marine mammal, localizing the classified thermal signature of the marine mammal, verifying the classified, localized thermal signature of the marine mammal and documenting the classified, localized and verified thermal signature of the marine mammal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar - und MeeresforschungInventors: Daniel Paranhos Zitterbart, Lars Kindermann, Olaf Boebel
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Patent number: 8361285Abstract: An electrochemical antifouling system for preventing fouling organisms from adhering to seawater-wetted structures includes a direct current circuit for creating an electrolytic environment in seawater, the direct current circuit having an adjustable direct current source, a lattice electrode having a single metallic component so as to provide a dimensionally stable lattice structure, the lattice electrode electrically insulated from a surface of a seawater-wetted structure, at least one corrosion-resistant counter electrode having polarity opposite to the lattice electrode and disposed at a distance therefrom, and a switching device configured to alternatively switch the lattice electrode to (a) a continuous operating mode, and (b) a temporary depletion mode, wherein the lattice electrode is disposed in a distance range from the surface of the seawater-wetted structure so that the surface lies within an area of influence of an increase in pH value of the seawater caused by electrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventors: Roland Krone, Markus Paster
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Patent number: 8291863Abstract: A transportable device for colonizing and harvesting invertebrate animals in proximity to a floor of a body of water includes at least two quadrangular frames, each of which include a trapping surface. A central hinge is disposed between opposing, inner traverse sides of the at least two quadrangular frames and has a first one-way folding direction. Two secondary hinges are disposed on opposite sides of the central hinge, each of the secondary hinges having a second one-way folding direction that is opposite to the first one-way folding direction such that the at least two quadrangular frames have an opening angle with respect to each other that is adaptable to a structure of the floor of the body of water.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar- und MeeresforschungInventors: Roland Krone, Philipp Kraemer
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Patent number: 8198098Abstract: An optical measurement method for determining a pH of a medium includes adding a fluorescent pH indicator to the medium. The pH indicator is based on naturally-obtained or synthesized ageladine A. The pH indicator is irradiated with light of at least one wavelength so as to provide fluorescence excitation of the pH indicator. An emitted fluorescence intensity of the pH indicator is detected as a measure for the pH of the medium.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventors: Ulf-Georg Bickmeyer, Karl-Walter Klings, Achim Grube, Matthias Koeck
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Publication number: 20120096958Abstract: A water sampling device includes a mounting frame including two end plates disposed parallel to one another on a shaft. A multiple magazine is configured as a rotatable drum magazine that is horizontally disposed between the two end plates of the mounting frame. The multiple magazine includes a plurality of sample containers. Each of the sample containers has a first face and a second face. The first face includes a first axially arranged conical opening and a first positive locking cone forming an inlet valve. The second face includes a. second axially arranged conical opening and a second positive locking cone forming an outlet valve. Each of the positive locking ,cones is configured to shift axially relative to the respective conical opening so as to operate the respective inlet or outlet valve and so as to form a symmetrical annular gap in an open position of the respective valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: STIFTUNG ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT FUER POLAR-UND MEERESFORSCHUNGInventors: Thorben Wulff, Eberhard Sauter
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Patent number: 8083379Abstract: A reflector emitter includes a combination reflector having at least one elliptical concave mirror shaped as an ellipsoid of revolution section having first and second focal points disposed outside and inside of the ellipsoid of revolution section, respectively. The reflector emitter includes at least one light source at the second focal point. The ellipsoid of revolution section is formed as an ellipsoid of revolution that is cut between its center and the first focal point in a longitudinal section plane and in a cross-sectional plane. An aperture is provided above an other concave mirror having at least one focal point that coincides with the first focal point of the ellipsoid of revolution section. The other concave mirror is formed as a hollow body cut in a sectional plane through its focal point. This sectional plane and the longitudinal section plane of the ellipsoid of revolution section share a common plane of reference and the concave mirrors have opposing faces.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar- und MeeresforschungInventors: Jan Schulz, Michael Potthoff
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Patent number: 8043568Abstract: An ozonesonde for in-situ measurement of stratospheric ozone concentration profiles by balloon launches includes a hydrothermal buffer having a vessel surrounding a measurement cell having an aqueous reaction solution. The aqueous reaction solution has melting and boiling points dependent on a salt content. A pump is configured to pass ambient air through the aqueous reaction solution. The vessel of the hydrothermal buffer is fillable with water to a level that is at least as high as a level of the aqueous reaction solution in the measurement cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventor: Mathias Zoellner
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Patent number: 8039032Abstract: A method for processing ovulated eggs of an aquatic animal into delicacy foods. Ovulated eggs are harvested without harmful intervention of the aquatic animal. The harvested ovulated eggs are exogenously treated in an aqueous solution by adding at least one signal transduction molecule. Accordingly the membrane of the egg is physiologically stabilized by ovoperoxidase activation. The signal transduction molecule is naturally occurring in the egg cell. The eggs are then preserved.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventor: Angela Koehler-Guenther
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Patent number: 7976175Abstract: A ring lamp includes a light source having a first hollow cylinder with a lighting device disposed therein. The light source has an emitting surface with a light-emitting direction oriented toward an axis of the hollow cylinder. The lamp also includes a light directing device configured to direct light emission. The light directing device includes a lens system having a lens formed as a second hollow cylinder and configured to focus light into a radial plane which is orthogonal to the axis. The lens system has a ring-shaped aperture diaphragm disposed centrally in an optical path of the light emission behind the lens. The emitting surface of the light source and the lens system have a same length, are coaxial and axially aligned with each other. A radial surface which is defined by an inner radius of the lens system and the length of the lens system spans a delimited volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar- und MeeresforschungInventor: Jan Schulz
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Publication number: 20110139083Abstract: A device for colonizing and harvesting marine hardground animals in an underwater region of a ground-based offshore edifice includes at least one rail device configured to extend vertically on the offshore edifice along a height of the underwater region to above a waterline. The device also includes a netting array including a habitat carriage having a habitat and trapping basket that is adapted to contain the hardground animals. A lifting device is configured to move the netting array along the at least one rail device. Additionally, the device includes a scavenging carriage including a basic unit and a running unit that is configured to detachably couple the scavenging carriage with the at least one rail device so as to be movable thereon. The scavenging carriage is configured to detachably couple with the habitat carriage and the lifting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventors: Roland Krone, Philipp Kraemer
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Publication number: 20110140059Abstract: A device for using technical equipment underwater includes at least one guide rail configured to extend vertically underwater on an edifice from above a waterline. At least one device carriage is provided and includes a basic unit having a reception flange configured to couple the technical equipment thereto, and at least one running unit that abuts against the guide rail via guide rollers. A press-on unit is disposed on a first side of the device carriage and includes a lever pivotable on an axis of the device carriage so as to generate a pressing force of the device carriage against the guide rail. The lever includes a support roller at a first end and a weight packet at a second end so as to exert a downward drifting force underwater that is greater than a buoyancy of the device carriage. At least two spacers are each disposed at a first end on the at least one device carriage and abutting the edifice at a second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar- und MeeresforschungInventors: Roland Krone, Philipp Kraemer
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Publication number: 20110100804Abstract: An electrochemical antifouling system for preventing fouling organisms from adhering to seawater-wetted structures includes a direct current circuit for creating an electrolytic environment in seawater, the direct current circuit having an adjustable direct current source, a lattice electrode having a single metallic component so as to provide a dimensionally stable lattice structure, the lattice electrode electrically insulated from a surface of a seawater-wetted structure, at least one corrosion-resistant counter electrode having polarity opposite to the lattice electrode and disposed at a distance therefrom, and a switching device configured to alternatively switch the lattice electrode to (a) a continuous operating mode, and (b) a temporary depletion mode, wherein the lattice electrode is disposed in a distance range from the surface of the seawater-wetted structure so that the surface lies within an area of influence of an increase in pH value of the seawater caused by electrolysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicants: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar- und Meeresforschung, Universitaet Duisburg EssenInventors: Roland Krone, Markus Paster
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Patent number: 7901914Abstract: Known microbiological methods are based upon the application of pigment-forming bacteria, in particular Chromobacterium violaceum. The yield of these methods is very low, however, so that large industrial applications are not possible. However, in many fields of industry, there exists a very great demand for natural blue dyes which are substantially suitable for human digestion, which cannot be satisfied at present. Therefore, the method in accordance with the invention is characterized by the application of the newly discovered marine sediment bacterium Pseudoalteromonas species of the “Black Beauty” strain (originally deposited under file number DSM 13623 with the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH., Braunschweig, Germany pursuant to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure). Compared to conventional methods, this marine sediment bacterium leads to an about thirteen-fold yield.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar- und MeeresforschungInventors: Tjhing-Lok Tan, Franz-Peter Montforts, Daniela Meyer
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Patent number: 7865314Abstract: Known methods use the temperature of the water bath which surrounds the liquid sample as the adjusting parameter. The aim in these methods is to maintain the water bath at a constant temperature in order to fulfill the prerequisites for calibration. In contrast, in the inventive method a measurement is determined for the maximum permissible drift (?max) in the temperature of the water bath (?B) which is measured as the equivalent of the sample temperature (?P). This greatly simplifies the problem of adjusting the temperature which primarily arises as a result of the delays in the control circuit. The adjusting element need only recognize a drift (?) and correct the sum of the thermal currents which have occurred, to zero, allowing for a residual error (Prestmax) which results from a permissible contouring error (?B, ?B). The release of heat from the mixing propeller (Q) is used to obtain a rapid compensation.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar-Und MeeresforschungInventor: Klaus Ohm
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Patent number: 7757573Abstract: A bed water sampling device in which a plurality of horizontally oriented tubular sampling containers are mounted on a member adjustable in its position in response to the direction of water current and in which the tubular sampling containers are provided with valves simultaneously moved from their open to their closed states in response to a signal generated in response to placement of the sampling device on the water bed.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventor: Eberhard J. Sauter
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Publication number: 20100178664Abstract: An optical measurement method for determining a pH of a medium includes adding a fluorescent pH indicator to the medium. The pH indicator is based on naturally-obtained or synthesized ageladine A. The pH indicator is irradiated with light of at least one wavelength so as to provide fluorescence excitation of the pH indicator. An emitted fluorescence intensity of the pH indicator is detected as a measure for the pH of the medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventors: Ulf-Georg Bickmeyer, Karl-Walter Klings, Achim Grube, Matthias Koeck
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Patent number: 7753583Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of outside air provided with a thermometer mounted in a housing connected to a forced ventilation blower for drawing a current outside air across the thermometer and with a Venturi nozzle having an air penetration opening disposed orthogonally relative to the air current for generating vacuum pressure and prevent reverse flow of air through the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventors: Bernd Loose, Gert Koenig-Langlo
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Patent number: 7738691Abstract: A method of determining structural data of a prototype for a lightweight technical structure by selecting shell architectures of natural bio-mineralized unicellular organisms in accordance with an aspect set very closely adapted to the lightweight structure to be produced and by directly copying and thereafter scaling their structural data to the prototype before optimizing the Prototype by perfect adaptation to the lightweight structure to be produced.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2004Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar-und MeeresforschungInventor: Christian Hamm-Dubischar