Abstract: A flexible inert gas impervious housing for the sampler which can be squeezed to an essentially flat configuration in conjunction with a close/open/close valve assembly at both ends of the flexible housing that the buoyancy can be minimized by applying a vacuum to the flexible inert gas impervious housing prior to positioning the same on the sampler array, or prior to securing to a sampler cable for lowering into a body of water is disclosed. Pressure release means are provided to optionally open the valve assemblies when a preselected pressure is reached, usually coordinated with depth of immersion, at which time the sampler flexible housing has the vacuum released and it opens and is flushed by the fluid through which it is passing. Thereafter, means are provided to close the two valve assemblies to entrap the sample, based upon a signal, and to return the sample for discharge from the sampler for further investigation.

Abstract: Both apparatus and the method is directed to a sampler array carrying a plurality of samplers in which the array has a trip assembly with a plurality of lanyard release pins. One moving member in the assembly contains a pivotal cam which is spring loaded in order to pass a plurality of lanyard release pins in one direction, but to move in the opposite direction and depress the lanyard release pin thereby releasing the lanyard to a preselected sampler for purposes of closing the same and entrapping a sample by the exact sampler desired by the operator at the surface. The method then contemplates counting the degrees of movement of a moving trip wheel having a release cam in one direction in which each sampler lanyard release pin is bypassed, and thereafter reversing the same having the lanyard release pin which is desired to be activated confronts the angled under surface of the lanyard release cam which, when reversed, will depress the lanyard release pin and release the lanyard to close the sampler.

Abstract: A lever action sampler having a body portion, usually tubular, and a pair of opposed end plugs for securing to the two ends of the body to thereby entrap a sample when activated is disclosed. The present invention utilizes a lever pivot assembly for an end plug at its upper portion, a lower end cap pivot assembly at the lower portion, both of which are pivotally secured to the end caps to permit the same to be locked/open for descending, and later closed for encapsulating the sample. The end caps are powered by means of a power spring and power spring cable operating exteriorly of the body, and actuated by means of a lever which cocks the unit into its unlatched and power spring preload functions, and thereafter secures a lanyard to either a rosette or to the sampler itself, and is subsequently fired by means of hitting the end cap of a push rod which release the lanyard or by releasing the lanyard from a rosette. The method contemplates the steps generally as itemized above.

Abstract: A weight measurement apparatus, includes a weight scale having a weight output for providing a weight output signal indicative of the apparent weight of an object being weighed. An accelerometer (or an array of accelerometers) is used to measure a force which contributes to the apparent weight and causes the apparent weight to deviate from the object's true weight. A computer coupled to the scale and the accelerometer computes the true weight of the object from the apparent weight and the accelerometer output. This true weight is displayed on a digital display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a counter-balanced sheave assembly for supporting a cable comprising a plurality of sheaves mounted in an arcuate path on a support frame; counter-balancing weights positioned above the support frame and rigidly connected thereto; and a suspension arrangement, connected at the center of the assembly, for providing rotation of the assembly about two perpendicular axes of rotation; and sensors are provided for determining downward force on the sheave assembly and the angle of the cable by monitoring the number of pulleys rotating.