Abstract: A sensor stabilization platform and method for installation in an enclosure is described, wherein the platform can be lowered into the enclosure from the enclosure's entry way (without requiring a person to enter the enclosure) and properly oriented to provide the structural support/securing capabilities needed for a sensor that is “sensing” the material at the bottom of the enclosure. The securing platform is weighted or configured to rest (without movement) at the bottom of the enclosure floor or manhole, and sensors can be lowered into the platform's receptacle(s), etc. The platform may be configured to be foldable, allowing it to be compact and pass through narrow entry ways.

Abstract: A sensor stabilization platform and method for installation in an enclosure is described, wherein the platform can be lowered into the enclosure from the enclosure's entry way (without requiring a person to enter the enclosure) and properly oriented to provide the structural support/securing capabilities needed for a sensor that is “sensing” the material at the bottom of the enclosure. The securing platform is weighted or configured to rest (without movement) at the bottom of the enclosure floor or manhole, and sensors can be lowered into the platform's receptacle(s), etc. The platform may be configured to be foldable, allowing it to be compact and pass through narrow entry ways.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring environmental parameters within an enclosure includes a power source; a communication device electrically connected to the power source and attachable to a cover of the enclosure; and a sensor suspended away from the cover of the enclosure. A method for providing a monitor of environmental parameters within an enclosure includes attaching a communication device to a cover of the enclosure, connecting the communication device to a power source; and suspending a sensor away from the cover of the enclosure. A method for monitoring environmental parameters within an enclosure includes monitoring one or more environmental parameters with a sensor suspended by a cable within an enclosure, and transmitting data representing one or more monitored environmental parameters from a communication device to a second communication device.

Abstract: A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.

Abstract: An improvement in a system that includes a group of field units (10, 10A) that each identifies unknown microscopic particles by use of a computer that compares an unknown particle interrogation pattern to the interrogation patterns of a set of known species of particles, which facilitates upgrading of the group of field units. Each field unit is connected by a communication link (84) to a central station (80). The central station can send interrogation patterns of a new species of particle to the field unit computers, which store them in a known-species-particle memory (34) that holds patterns of previously known species of particles. The field unit stores the patterns of unidentified particles in a memory (90) and notifies the central station when it has detected an invasion of a new species.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the continuous, on-line, real-time surveillance (CORTS) of microorganisms/particles. In one embodiment, a system comprises an optical illuminator for directing a light along a beam axis and onto a particle. In addition, the system comprises an angular amplifier configured to receive light scattered in a plurality of directions by the particle, and to minimize the angular dispersion of the scattered light with respect to the beam axis. The system also comprises an optical detector configured to receive at least a portion of the scattered light from the angular amplifier. A method of identifying particles comprises directing a light along a beam axis and onto a particle, and receiving light scattered in a plurality of directions by the particle. The method further comprises minimizing the angular dispersion of the scattered light with respect to the beam axis, and detecting at least a portion of the scattered light after minimizing the angular dispersion of the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying microscopic particles in a fluid, includes a laser beam (16) that passes though a narrow detect zone (22), and photodetectors (30) that detect light scattered by microscopic particles that pass through the detect zone. The laser beam has a horizontal width (W) that is a plurality of times as great as its average vertical thickness (T), to increase the number of particles passing through the zone while minimizing the time of each particle in the zone. A quadrant detector (48) that is used to detect deviation of the laser beam from a predetermined path, is oriented about 45° from the usual direction. The laser beam is generated by a diode laser (82) whose output passes through two appropriately-positioned cylindrical lenses (84, 86) to produce the desired the ratio of width (W) to thickness (T).

Abstract: A system for identifying microorganisms and other microscopic particles in a fluid, includes a laser that directs a laser beam (14) through a detect zone (20) and a plurality of photodetectors (30) that detect light scattered in different directions from a particle at the detect zone, and includes a carrier (110) that confines fluid to movement along a narrow path. The carrier includes a glass sphere (112) with a passage (116) for carrying the fluid. The spherical surface allows light scattered at a large angle from the direction of the laser beam, to pass through the glass sphere to its outside for detection there.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying microscopic particles in a fluid, includes a laser beam (16) that passes though a narrow detect zone (22), and photodetectors (30) that detect light scattered by microscopic particles that pass through the detect zone. The laser beam has a horizontal width (W) that is a plurality of times as great as its average vertical thickness (T), to increase the number of particles passing through the zone while minimizing the time of each particle in the zone. A quadrant detector (48) that is used to detect deviation of the laser beam from a predetermined path, is oriented about 45° from the usual direction. The laser beam is generated by a diode laser (82) whose output passes through two appropriately-positioned cylindrical lenses (84, 86) to produce the desired the ratio of width (W) to thickness (T).

Abstract: A system for identifying microorganisms and other microscopic particles in a fluid, includes a laser that directs a laser beam (14) through a detect zone (20) and a plurality of photodetectors (30) that detect light scattered in different directions from a particle at the detect zone, and includes a carrier (110) that confines fluid to movement along a narrow path. The carrier includes a glass sphere (112) with a passage (116) for carrying the fluid. The spherical surface allows light scattered at a large angle from the direction of the laser beam, to pass through the glass sphere to its outside for detection there.