An automated microbiological sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of microbiological sampling technology, especially to an automatic microbiological sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth, which comprises a hook, a sampling tube, a partition plate, a counterweight, a controller, a frame, a pressure sensor, a water outlet pipe, a valve and the like. The sampling tube is in a hollow columnar structure, and a hook is fixedly connected to the middle position of the top of the sampling tube. Three partition plates are connected to the sampling tube in an axial direction from top to bottom at intervals, separating the inner cavity of the sampling tube into four independent sampling cavities. A counterweight is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the sampling tube in an embedded mounting mode. A frame is fixedly connected to the bottom of the counterweight, and a pressure sensor is installed on the left side of the frame. The device forms multiple independent sampling chambers through the partition plates. The sampling chambers can be opened in sequence as the sampling tube sinks, and water samples at different preset depths can be collected. The sampling chambers are isolated from each other, effectively preventing cross-contamination of water samples at different depths and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the sampling data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microbial sampling technology, and in particular to an automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as water environment monitoring, microbiology research, and aquaculture, it is often necessary to collect microbial samples from water bodies at different depths. Water bodies at different depths exhibit significant differences in physical parameters (such as temperature and light), chemical parameters (such as dissolved oxygen and nutrients), and biological community structure. Therefore, obtaining specific and pure depth samples is crucial for the accuracy of data and the scientific rigor of research.

[0003] Currently, traditional sampling methods mostly employ single-tube samplers, which can only obtain water samples from a specific depth with each deployment. To obtain samples from different depths, multiple deployments are required, resulting in cumbersome operations, low efficiency, and difficulty in accurately controlling the consistency of deployment depth, increasing workload and time costs. Furthermore, while stratified samplers exist, they often employ a design where all sampling chambers are filled with water simultaneously during descent, or rely on a structure that triggers mechanical closure upon reaching a predetermined depth. The former leads to mixing of water samples from different layers during descent, severely contaminating the samples and failing to accurately reflect the microbial status at the target depth; the latter suffers from unreliable triggering, poor depth control accuracy, complex structure, and high manufacturing costs.

[0004] Therefore, there is a lack of a microbial sampling device in the existing technology that can operate automatically, accurately control the sampling depth, and ensure that samples at each depth are independent and free from contamination. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings mentioned in the background art, this utility model provides an automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth.

[0006] Technical Solution: An automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth includes a hook, a sampling tube, partitions, a counterweight, a controller, a frame, a pressure sensor, an outlet pipe, a valve, an inlet pipe, a motor, and a valve core. The sampling tube has a hollow cylindrical structure with a hook fixedly connected to the top center. Three partitions are spaced axially from top to bottom inside the sampling tube, dividing the inner cavity into four independent sampling chambers. A counterweight is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sampling tube using an embedded installation method. A frame is fixedly connected to the bottom of the counterweight, and a pressure sensor is installed on the left side of the frame. A controller is installed at the bottom of the block. The controller has a built-in wireless communication module that can establish a data connection with a remote monitoring system. Water inlet pipes are connected to the left side wall of the sampling tube at the positions corresponding to each sampling chamber. The water inlet pipes are connected to each sampling chamber. A motor is installed at the top of the water inlet pipe. The motor output shaft passes through the inside of the water inlet pipe and is coaxially fixedly connected to a valve core. The outer wall of the valve core is sealed and rotates with the inner wall of the water inlet pipe. The motor and pressure sensor are electrically connected to the controller. Water outlet pipes are connected to the right side wall of the sampling tube at the positions corresponding to each sampling chamber. The water outlet pipes are connected to each sampling chamber. A valve is sealed and rotates on each water outlet pipe.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the counterweight is made of high-density metal.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it also includes a transparent window, and a transparent window is embedded in the front side wall of the sampling tube corresponding to the position of each sampling cavity.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it also includes a propeller, which is rotatably connected to the inside of the frame via a bearing.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it also includes a filter screen, and each water inlet pipe is connected to a filter screen at its left port.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it also includes a bevel gear and a rotating frame. The bottom of the sampling tube extends into the housing. The bottom extension end of the valve core penetrates the wall of the water inlet pipe and extends into the housing, and is fixedly connected to a bevel gear. The left side of the housing is rotatably connected to the rotating frame via a rotating shaft. The right end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to another bevel gear in the position of the housing cavity. The two bevel gears mesh with each other, and the free end of the rotating frame keeps in close contact with the outer surface of the filter screen.

[0012] The present invention has the following advantages: 1. The device has multiple independent sampling chambers formed by partition plates inside, which can be opened sequentially as the sampling tube sinks, and water samples at different preset depths can be collected respectively. Each sampling chamber is isolated from each other, which effectively avoids cross-contamination of water samples at different depths and ensures the accuracy and reliability of the sampling data.

[0013] 2. The water depth is monitored in real time by a pressure sensor. The controller receives remote commands or automatically controls the motor to start and stop according to a preset program, thereby accurately controlling the opening and closing of the corresponding valve core. This design reduces human error and realizes accurate sampling and automated operation of specific target depths.

[0014] 3. The filter screen of the inlet pipe can effectively intercept large particles of impurities. The rotation of the valve core is synchronously driven by the bevel gear to rotate the rotating frame, thereby scraping and cleaning the surface of the filter screen, preventing it from clogging, and ensuring smooth water intake and representativeness of the water sample during the sampling process. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the sampling tube, water outlet pipe, and water inlet pipe components of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the frame, propeller, pressure sensor, and other components of this utility model. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the water inlet pipe component of this utility model.

[0016] In the attached diagram, the following labels are used: 1: hook, 2: sampling tube, 3: transparent window, 4: partition plate, 5: counterweight, 6: controller, 7: frame, 8: propeller, 9: pressure sensor, 10: outlet pipe, 11: valve, 12: inlet pipe, 13: motor, 14: valve core, 15: bevel gear, 16: rotating frame, 17: filter screen. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Example: An automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth, such as Figures 1-3As shown, the device includes a hook 1, a sampling tube 2, a transparent window 3, a partition plate 4, a counterweight 5, a controller 6, a frame 7, a propeller 8, a pressure sensor 9, an outlet pipe 10, a valve 11, an inlet pipe 12, a motor 13, and a valve core 14. The sampling tube 2 is a hollow cylindrical structure with a hook 1 fixedly connected to the top center. The hook 1 is used to cooperate with external hoisting equipment to control the lifting and lowering of the sampling tube 2. Inside the sampling tube 2, three partition plates 4 are connected axially from top to bottom, dividing the inner cavity of the sampling tube 2 into four independent sampling chambers. Each sampling chamber is used to store water samples at different depths to avoid cross-contamination. The bottom of the sampling tube 2 is fixedly connected to a device using an embedded installation method. The counterweight 5, made of high-density metal, provides downward gravity to ensure that the sampling tube 2 remains vertical after entering the water, preventing sampling depth deviation due to water flow disturbance. A frame 7, with a hollow structure, is fixedly connected to the bottom of the counterweight 5. Inside the frame 7, a propeller 8 is rotatably connected via bearings. During the descent of the sampling tube 2, the propeller 8 moves relative to the water and rotates under the influence of the water flow, thus applying a downward auxiliary thrust to the sampling tube 2, reducing the load on the hoisting equipment and preventing the sampling tube 2 from shifting due to water flow impact. A pressure sensor 9 is installed on the left side of the frame 7 to monitor underwater pressure in real time. The bottom of the counterweight 5 is... Equipped with a controller 6, which has a built-in wireless communication module, the sampling tube 2 can establish a data connection with a remote monitoring system to receive commands and provide data feedback. Each sampling chamber on the left side wall of the sampling tube 2 is connected to an inlet pipe 12, which communicates with each sampling chamber. A motor 13 is mounted on the top of the inlet pipe 12, with its output shaft extending through the inlet pipe 12 and coaxially fixedly connected to a valve core 14. The outer wall of the valve core 14 and the inner wall of the inlet pipe 12 are sealed and rotated together by a sealing ring. The motor 13 drives the valve core 14 to rotate, thus opening or closing the channel between the inlet pipe 12 and the sampling chamber. The motor 13 and the pressure sensor 9 are both electrically connected to the controller 6. Each sampling chamber on the right side wall is connected to an outlet pipe 10, which is connected to each sampling chamber. Each outlet pipe 10 is rotatably connected to a valve 11 via a waterproof bearing. The top of the valve 11 extends through to the top of the outlet pipe 10 and forms an operating end. This operating end is connected to a knob via a key. The operator can rotate the knob to drive the valve 11 to open or close the channel between the outlet pipe 10 and the sampling chamber. Each sampling chamber on the front side wall of the sampling tube 2 is embedded with a transparent window 3. During the discharge of the sampling liquid, the operator can accurately observe the remaining amount of liquid in each sampling chamber and the discharge status through the transparent window 3, which facilitates precise control of the sampling liquid collection process.

[0018] like Figure 4As shown, it also includes a bevel gear 15, a rotating frame 16, and a filter screen 17. Each inlet pipe 12 has a filter screen 17 connected to its left end. The filter screen 17 is a stainless steel mesh structure that can filter the sampled water entering the inlet pipe 12, intercepting solid impurities in the water, such as silt, plankton remains, etc., to prevent impurities from clogging the inlet pipe 12 or entering the sampling chamber and affecting the accuracy of subsequent microbial detection. The bottom of the sampling pipe 2 extends into a shell. The bottom extension of the valve core 14 penetrates the wall of the inlet pipe 12 and extends into the shell, and is fixedly connected to a bevel gear 15. The left side of the shell is rotatably connected to the rotating frame 16 via a rotating shaft. The right end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to another bevel gear 15 in the inner cavity of the shell. The two bevel gears 15 mesh with each other. The free end of the rotating frame 16 is in close contact with the outer surface of the filter screen 17 to ensure that the rotating frame 16 can scrape the surface of the filter screen 17 when it rotates.

[0019] When sampling microorganisms, the sampling tube 2 is fixedly connected to the external hoisting equipment via the hook 1, ensuring that all components are powered normally. A communication connection is established with the controller 6 through the remote monitoring system. The pressure threshold and sampling duration corresponding to each sampling depth are preset, and the sampling parameters are configured. The hoisting equipment is started, and the sampling tube 2 is vertically sent into the target water body. During the sinking process, the counterweight 5 ensures that the sampling tube 2 always maintains a vertical posture. The propeller 8 inside the frame 7 rotates under the action of water flow, providing downward auxiliary thrust for the sampling tube 2 and improving sinking stability. At the same time, the pressure sensor 9 detects the water pressure in real time and transmits the pressure signal to the controller 6. The controller 6 calculates the actual underwater depth of the current sampling tube 2 according to the preset pressure-depth conversion algorithm and feeds the depth data back to the remote monitoring system. The hoisting equipment combines this depth signal and accurately controls the lowering speed and stopping position of the sampling tube 2 according to the preset sampling requirements to achieve precise positioning of the sampling depth.

[0020] When sampling tube 2 sinks to the first preset depth, the remote monitoring system sends a sampling command to controller 6. Controller 6 starts the motor 13 matched with the sampling chamber corresponding to that depth. The output shaft of motor 13 drives valve core 14 to rotate around its axis, making the inner cavity of water inlet pipe 12 open. Water, after being filtered by filter screen 17, enters the corresponding sampling chamber through water inlet pipe 12. When valve core 14 rotates, it drives rotating frame 16 to rotate through the transmission of two bevel gears 15. The free end of rotating frame 16 scrapes the surface of filter screen 17, removing impurities attached to the surface of filter screen 17. To ensure unobstructed water inlet, after the preset sampling time is reached, controller 6 controls motor 13 to reverse, driving valve core 14 to rotate in the opposite direction to close the water inlet again. During this process, rotating frame 16 rotates in the opposite direction with the rotating shaft to perform secondary scraping and cleaning on the surface of filter screen 17. Repeating the above operation, the hoisting equipment continues to lower sampling tube 2 to the second preset depth, third preset depth, and fourth preset depth. Controller 6 controls motor 13 of the corresponding sampling chamber to start and stop in sequence, realizing the stratified collection of water samples at different depths. Each sampling chamber is isolated from each other by partition plate 4 to ensure that the water samples are not cross-contaminated.

[0021] After completing sampling at all depths, the sampling tube 2 is lifted from the water body using hoisting equipment. When collecting the sampled water in each sampling chamber, the sampling tube 2 is adjusted to a horizontal position with the outlet pipe 10 facing downwards. The operator turns the knob at the top of the valve 11 to drive the valve 11 to rotate around its axis, making the flow channel of the valve 11 connected to the inner cavity of the outlet pipe 10. The sampled water in the sampling chamber is discharged along the outlet pipe 10 to the external collection container. During this process, the operator can observe the discharge progress of the sampled liquid through the transparent window 3. After the sampled liquid is completely discharged, the knob is turned in the opposite direction to drive the valve 11 to close the outlet pipe 10 channel, completing a single sampling operation.

Claims

1. An automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth, characterized in that, The system includes a hook (1), a sampling tube (2), a partition plate (4), a counterweight (5), a controller (6), a frame (7), a pressure sensor (9), an outlet pipe (10), a valve (11), an inlet pipe (12), a motor (13), and a valve core (14). The sampling tube (2) is a hollow cylindrical structure with a hook (1) fixedly connected to the middle of its top. Three partition plates (4) are connected axially from top to bottom inside the sampling tube (2), dividing the inner cavity of the sampling tube (2) into four independent sampling chambers. A counterweight (5) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sampling tube (2) using an embedded installation method. A frame (7) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the counterweight (5). A pressure sensor (9) is installed on the left side of the frame (7), and a controller (6) is installed at the bottom of the counterweight (5). The controller (6) has a built-in wireless communication module that can establish a data connection with the remote monitoring system. The left side wall of the sampling tube (2) is connected to the position of each sampling chamber and the water inlet pipe (12) is connected to each sampling chamber. The water inlet pipe (12) is connected to each sampling chamber. The top of the water inlet pipe (12) is equipped with a motor (13). The output shaft of the motor (13) passes through the inside of the water inlet pipe (12) and is coaxially fixedly connected to a valve core (14). The outer wall of the valve core (14) is sealed and rotated with the inner wall of the water inlet pipe (12). The motor (13) and the pressure sensor (9) are electrically connected to the controller (6). The right side wall of the sampling tube (2) is connected to the position of each sampling chamber and the water outlet pipe (10) is connected to each sampling chamber. Each water outlet pipe (10) is sealed and rotatedly connected to a valve (11).

2. The automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The counterweight (5) is made of high-density metal.

3. The automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a transparent window (3), and the front side wall of the sampling tube (2) is embedded with a transparent window (3) corresponding to the position of each sampling cavity.

4. The automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a propeller (8), which is rotatably connected to the inside of the frame (7) via a bearing.

5. An automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a filter screen (17), and the left port of each water inlet pipe (12) is connected to a filter screen (17).

6. An automated microbial sampling tube with adjustable sampling depth as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a bevel gear (15) and a rotating frame (16). The bottom of the sampling tube (2) extends into the housing. The bottom extension of the valve core (14) extends through the wall of the water inlet pipe (12) and into the housing, and is fixedly connected to a bevel gear (15). The left side of the housing is rotatably connected to the rotating frame (16) via a rotating shaft. The right end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to another bevel gear (15) in the position of the housing cavity. The two bevel gears (15) mesh with each other. The free end of the rotating frame (16) is in close contact with the outer surface of the filter screen (17).

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