Abstract: Fluid current measurement by means of resistance differentials in thermistor. Input parameters to micro-processor like fluid temperature, depth, change in electrical resistance, direction sensors. Output calculation of fluid current, current direction, temperature, danger level and recommended safe distance from the boat.

Abstract: An undersea logging device has a pressure sensor and at least one environmental parameter sensor. The data measured by the sensors is logged and is wirelessly transmitted when a preset value of pressure is detected by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A device measures the high and low fluid levels of a fluid body. A housing has a shaft with a buoyant weight, the shaft protruding through a cap on the housing's top and capable of sliding through the cap. A first ring encompasses the shaft and is initially positioned immediately below the cap, while a second ring is positioned immediately above the cap. As fluid enters the housing, the shaft rises in lockstep with the fluid level causing the first ring to be pushed downwardly on the shaft and when the fluid level falls, the shaft falls causing the second ring to be pushed upwardly along the shaft. The distance between the rings is the amount of fluid level variation. A debris tube attached to the housing measures the upper limit of fluid level. Subtracting the amount of variation from this upper limit yields the lower fluid level limit.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for measuring characteristics of hydraulic features in rivers and streams that are unwadeable. The apparatus consists of a tripod base, a horizontal boom that articulates on the tripod, a carriage configured to travel on the boom, and a measuring rod that can be moved vertically on the carriage. These components are designed to be portable, carried by hand or in a raft, and are adapted to be assembled on rugged terrain. The measuring rod is configured to accommodate sensors to measure characteristics such as channel topography, water surface topography, air-water mixing, velocity pressure differentials, and lift and drag forces. The apparatus can be adapted for measurement and monitoring in harsh environments such as volcanic lakes, fumaroles, and hot springs. The invention can be utilized for sampling air quality, weather, water quality, fluid mechanics (gas or liquid), soils, sediments, volcanic gases and hydrothermal fluids.

Abstract: A winch-based system is used to raise and lower a hydrological probe into a water column to automatically dynamically obtain measurement data of a water column at incremental depths over selected time intervals. The winch-based system can be powered by a relatively low-power power source to cause the electric motor to controllably operate to wind and unwind the cable at a desired rate in a manner which can pause the upward and downward movement of the probe at incremental measurement depths. The disclosure also describes related systems. Additionally, a method for enhancing the life of a hydroglogical probe by storing the probe at an immersed subsurface depth is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring fluid velocity includes a generally Y-shaped yoke including a base and first and second forks, the first and second forks including through holes at ends thereof; a bucket wheel supported between the first and second forks of the yoke; a first shaft that passes through the through hole in the first fork and supports one side of the bucket wheel; a second shaft that passes through the through hole in the second fork and supports the other side of the bucket wheel, the second shaft rotating with the bucket wheel and including a magnet mounted therein; the second fork of the yoke including an opening for receiving a reed switch assembly, the opening communicating with the through hole in the second fork, the magnet on the second shaft being aligned with the opening whereby when the second shaft rotates the magnet passes by the opening; and a reed switch assembly mounted in the opening in the second fork of the yoke.

Abstract: A method of determining the Volume Scattering Function of Ocean Waters in the backward direction using a Satellite Ocean Color Sensor the said method made to exploit the geometry of the sun-ocean-satellite detector to function as a backscatter system comprising of the sun [1] as a source of radiation, the ocean as the sampling volume [2], and the satellite ocean color sensor [3] as the detector of the backscattered flux from the ocean emanating from separate ocean pixels arranged on a scan line across the track of the satellite payload and arriving at corresponding pixels on the CCD array detector of the satellite sensor [3]; the output signals from each electronic pixel of the detector is shown to be related to the Volume Scattering Function at a fixed scattering angles (?) which bears a direct relation to the cosines of the solar incident angle (?s) and the angle (?p) of the upwelled flux at the ocean surface, the Remotely Sensed Reflectance (Rrs), and the diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) thereby result

Abstract: A compensator added to the hydraulic circuit of an ocean profiler. The compensator stores energy by compression of gas during descent and expansion of the gas during ascent, thereby reducing the work required of the active buoyancy mechanism. The pressure from the external liquid medium in which the vehicle is submerged provides the energy, a portion of which is stored within the compensator.

Abstract: A water sampling apparatus is disclosed having a water inlet and a water collecting scoop. A pump, in fluid communication with the water inlet, draws a water sample from a body of water through the water inlet. A plurality of testing units, in fluid communication with the pump and the water inlet, determine characteristics of a the water sample. The plurality of testing units are contained within an instrument module. A plurality of electrical components, in communication at least with some of the plurality of testing units, generates data signals concerning the characteristics of the water sample. The plurality of electrical components are contained within a computer module. A computer, in communication at least with some of the plurality of electrical components, collects the data signals generated by the plurality of electrical components and provides the data signals both to a local database and also by satellite transmission to a remote central data base.

Abstract: An energy conserving moored buoyant ocean profiler wherein an instrument carrying vertically traversing buoyant member of low buoyancy is interconnected with a second buoyant member of high buoyancy to travel in the opposite direction at lesser distance, such that the potential energy of one buoyant member is increased as the potential energy of the other is decreased, thereby conserving energy as the instrument carrying buoyant member is raised and lowered.