Abstract: An apparatus includes a first member having a housing that encloses a power source and a controller, a second member coupled to the first member that is seeded with a target product, and a sensing module coupled to the first member to allow power from the power source to be transmitted to the sensing module and sensor data from the sensing module to be transmitted to the controller. The sensing module including a sensor oriented toward at least a portion of the second member. The sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with at least one characteristic of the target product.

Abstract: Electronic device depth camera systems having a reduced number of outwardly-facing optical components are disclosed. Monocular depth camera systems, including basic depth camera systems as well as RGB-D camera systems, have exactly one window on a housing panel of the device through which light is transmittable out of and into the device housing. An optical emitter and detector(s) are located within the device housing. Binocular RGB-D camera systems have exactly two outwardly-facing optical components on the housing panel. One of the components, such as an optical emitter or an exit window, is associated with illumination light leaving the device, and the other optical component is an entrance window associated with transmitting detection light into the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for tracking movement in a marine environment. At least one tracking device that is adapted to be deployed on a surface of the water, wherein the tracking device is capable of moving along the same trajectory of a desired object. Data from the tracking devices are received by at least one satellite, transmitted to a database, and used to determine the forecasted trajectory of the desired object. All data collected from deployed tracking devices may be integrated into a spatial data repository for analysis and reporting using GIS and associated information technologies, thereby allowing for more accurate decision-making and asset deployment during a fluid spill or similar marine contamination event. The present invention also allows for the collection and modeling of accurate localized sea current data, which may assist with marine and coastal engineering works such as shoreline protection and port dredging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for tracking movement in a marine environment. At least one tracking device that is adapted to be deployed on a surface of the water, wherein the tracking device is capable of moving along the same trajectory of a desired object. Data from the tracking devices are received by at least one satellite, transmitted to a database, and used to determine the forecasted trajectory of the desired object. All data collected from deployed tracking devices may be integrated into a spatial data repository for analysis and reporting using GIS and associated information technologies, thereby allowing for more accurate decision-making and asset deployment during a fluid spill or similar marine contamination event. The present invention also allows for the collection and modeling of accurate localized sea current data, which may assist with marine and coastal engineering works such as shoreline protection and port dredging.

Abstract: An automatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body of water comprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a microprocessor for processing chemistry information, and a housing coupled to at least one of the sensor and the microprocessor. Preferably the housing is floatable or mountable. The method of providing chemistry information of a body of water comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determining chemistry information.

Abstract: A real-time in-situ sensor system is provided for measurement of bioluminescence and determination of bioluminescence surface signature. The system measures bioluminescence in the wake of a submerged moving object as well as ambient light levels outside of the wake. Along with measurements of depth and water-quality parameters including turbidity, temperature and salinity, the surface signature of the induced underwater bioluminescence can be calculated by considering light transmission and attenuation through water. With this real-time information, the operator of the submerged moving object can employ tactical maneuvers to affect the resultant surface signature.

Abstract: An automatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body of water comprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a microprocessor for processing chemistry information, and a housing coupled to at least one of the sensor and the microprocessor. Preferably the housing is floatable or mountable. The method of providing chemistry information of a body of water comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determining chemistry information.

Abstract: A detector and detection method for identifying unknown chemical solutions following chemical spills includes a specific gravity detector including a detector column having an inlet end operable to collect a sample of a solution, wherein the detector column is formed of an optically transparent material to allow visual observation of the sample in the detector column. At least a first plurality of specific gravity floats including a first specific gravity float is located and moveable within the detector column, wherein the first specific gravity float has a density to float in liquids having a specific gravity of greater than a first density level. At least a second specific gravity float is located and moveable within the detector column, wherein the second specific gravity float has a density to float in liquids having a specific gravity greater than the first density level. A sample of an unknown solution from a site of a chemical spill is introduced into the detector column.

Abstract: Autonomous biobuoy for detecting a characteristic of a marine biosphere and method of assembling the biobuoy. An autonomous biobuoy is provided for detecting a characteristic of a marine biosphere, comprising a detector assembly for detecting the characteristic of the marine biosphere, the detector assembly capable of generating a detector assembly output signal responsive to the characteristic detected thereby and a transmitter coupled to said detector assembly for broadcasting the detector assembly output signal.

Abstract: An automatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body of water comprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a microprocessor for processing chemistry information, and a housing coupled to at least one of the sensor and the microprocessor. Preferably the housing is floatable or mountable. The method of providing chemistry information of a body of water comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determining chemistry information.

Abstract: An electronic system for use in a body of fluid is disclosed. The electronic system includes a first housing element and a second housing element. The second housing element is hermetically sealed to the first housing element, forming a first chamber there between. An electronic circuit is mounted within the first chamber. The electronic system further includes a second chamber internal to the second housing element. The second chamber is configured for holding a power source for the electronic circuit. Preferably, the power source is a battery pack. Also, the electronic system includes means for temporarily sealing the second chamber. Preferably, means for temporarily sealing the second chamber includes a detachable plug configured for coupling to the second housing element.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring presence of hydrocarbon-based fluid is disclosed. It includes a body and a sensing cable mounted on the body in a wave-like shape, thus forming a plurality of sensing sections for detecting a layer of hydrocarbon on water. When contacting hydrocarbon, each of the sensing sections generates a signal and the signals add up before transmission to a signal receiver through a signal line.

Abstract: An instrument and method for surveying the static fluid column of a cased oil well and measuring the volume of oil and brine in the fluid column is disclosed. The instrument uses the inherent differences in specific gravity between water, oil and brine to provide a more simple, convenient, portable and cost effective means for surveying oil columns in cased oil wells. The instrument includes a probe, and a modified fishing rig used to lower and raise the probe into the oil well. The fishing rig includes a handled rod, a reel with a numeric line counter, and length of fused braided fishing line. The numeric line counter visually indicates the length of line expelled from the reel's spool. The probe includes a tubular casing, which is filled with ordinary tap water. The probe is constructed and filled with water so that it has a specific gravity greater than oil and less than brine (approximately 1.0 g/cc).

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the contents of foreign matters in a fluid, in particular a buoyant apparatus, which has a housing (1) of thermoplastic synthetic material and a hole (4) in the first wall section (2) and a through-hole (5) in a second wall section (3). A sensor (9), arranged in the housing (1) and determined to measure the content of the foreign matter, protrudes into the hole (4). The outer side (10) of the sensor (9) tightly closes the hole (4) with the outer surface of the first wall section (2) and is permeable to the foreign matters that are be measured. Two parts (24,25) of the housing (1) are joined tightly in an area of edge sections (26,27).

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the contents of foreign matters in a flowing liquid, in particular a buoyant apparatus, which has a housing (1) of which at least one wall section (2) is intended to be brought into contact with the liquid, and has a preferably spherical arched outer side and in a hole (4) a sensor (9) for the foreign matter. The sensor (9) has on its outer side in the area of the hole (4) a diaphragm (10) which is permeable to the foreign matters that are to be measured and which is arched and flush with the outer side of the wall section (2). In order to increase the flow velocity in the area of the diaphragm so that no contaminations remain adhered to the outer side of the diaphragm (10) thus influencing its permeability and thereby the measuring ability of the apparatus, the arched outer side of the wall section (2) is equipped with guiding surfaces (11) for the liquid, which project from it and extend transversely to the hole.