AEROSOL CAPTURE STATION

Abstract

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: AEROSOL CAPTURE STATION The aerosol capture station (20) for an agricultural plot comprises, on a support (21) of sensors (30, 40, 50) equipped with a base (22) for support on the soil of this plot: - a lower passive aerosol sensor (50), at a first height (16) less than fifty centimeters above the level of the base, comprising a support for a hydrophilic sheet and protection of this sheet against raindrops; and - at a second height (17) above the level of the base greater than the first height, an active aerosol sensor (30), comprising a photovoltaic panel, a battery, and a motor for rotating at least one rotating arm supporting at least one rod coated with an aerosol-adhesive substance. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: AEROSOL CAPTURE STATION Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol capture station. It is particularly applicable to the field of capturing pathogenic spores present in the open air. Prior art

[0002] The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section constitutes prior art simply because of its inclusion in this section.

[0003] The range of aerobiological sensors for capturing bioaerosols such as spores, pollen, bacteria, etc., is quite broad. The operation of these sensors relies on various physical (and sometimes chemical) characteristics of bioaerosol transport in the atmosphere.

[0004] Passive sensors and active volumetric sensors remain the most used types of sensors in the field of aerobiology in agriculture, both for the study of spores and pollen.

[0005] Passive capture methods (passive deposition or passive impaction) are the simplest to implement and use, but do not allow for the calculation of an airborne particle concentration. A typical example of a passive sensor relies on directing the prevailing airflow onto a collection matrix to concentrate the aerosols present in the air.

[0006] So-called active methods require an energy input to capture the targeted particles. The most commonly used trapping systems are volumetric sensors that process a certain volume of air per unit of time. This processing allows the particles to be collected by impaction or filtration onto or within a collection matrix. Some of these systems allow the particles to be separated according to their inertiality, a parameter defining the evolution of the velocity and trajectory of the particles when the airflow carrying them is disturbed.

[0007] The use of volumetric sensors allows for an estimation of the concentration of particles in the air. This estimated concentration (“EC”) is, in most situations, different from the actual concentration (“CR”).

[0008] Several types of active sensors are available on the market today. Rotating arm active sensors rely on the rotation of an arm equipped with two supports. The rotation of these supports allows for the collection of all aerosols present in the air.

[0009] In active filtration sensors, air is drawn in by means of a pump, at a stable and regular flow rate. The air enters the device through a suction nozzle. The bioaerosols it contains are then projected onto a collection matrix driven by a drum. The rotation of this drum is ensured by a clockwork mechanism. The drum completes one full rotation in a given time. It is thanks to this system that temporal analysis of the samples is possible (daily and / or hourly analysis). To allow the sensor to optimally collect pollen grains, the suction nozzle is constantly oriented towards the prevailing winds, like a weather vane, by means of a tail fin. It is the action of the wind on this tail fin that rotates the sensor.

[0010] Finally, a protective plate, located just above the suction nozzle, prevents the sample from being exposed to the elements.

[0011] The disadvantage of all active sensors lies in the electrical consumption, particularly in the context of a routine application of a Decision Support Tool in an agricultural environment.

[0012] Among the main technical problems associated with known technical solutions is the choice of a specific sensor, given the different modes of propagation of fungal pathogens of grapevines. There are a significant number of orders, genera, and species of pathogenic microorganisms of cultivated plants. Whether bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses, fungi, or microscopic algae, some require biological vectors for propagation (insects, for example). Others, such as fungal diseases of grapevine like downy mildew, powdery mildew, black rot, and gray mold, are transported by abiotic vectors like wind or rainwater. These abiotic vectors have specific physicochemical characteristics. Sampling these different abiotic vectors requires traps adapted to these differences in physicochemical characteristics.

[0013] Another drawback of known devices concerns energy consumption and the management of the power supply on agricultural plots. Energy consumption is an increasingly common issue in industry, particularly for agricultural production. Commercially available active trap models are often very energy-intensive due to features not applicable to routine monitoring.

[0014] The heterogeneity of the agricultural landscape leads to problems with power supply and communication networks. Commercially available active trap models require either very time-consuming and ergonomically costly battery management, or mains power that is virtually impossible to supply except at an experimental station. Summary of the invention

[0015] The general concept of the invention consists of a station for collecting aerosols, in particular those containing spores of pathogens of fungal diseases in agriculture in order to integrate this data into modeling algorithms, as well as bioaerosols contained in the atmosphere.

[0016] This station comprises a lower passive sensor facing the ground, at a height where the splashes caused by raindrops contain spores and

[0017] above, an active aerosol sensor, comprising a photovoltaic panel, a battery and a motor for rotating at least one rotating arm supporting at least one rod coated with a substance to which particles carried by aerosols adhere.

[0018] The passive aerosol collector includes a hydrophilic spore-capturing sheet that protects against raindrops. For example, this protection is a horizontal cylinder open towards the ground in which the hydrophilic sheet is retained.

[0019] Preferably, at least one stick is oriented, from the rotating arm, towards the ground. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the aerosol capture station that is the subject of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Fig. 1] schematically represents, in front view, a particular embodiment of the station that is the subject of the invention, [Fig.2] schematically represents, in side view, the station illustrated in [Fig.1], [Fig.3] schematically represents, in side view, an active sensor of the station illustrated in figures 1 and 2, [Fig.4] schematically represents, in front view, the active sensor illustrated in [Fig.3], [Fig. 5] schematically represents, in rear view, the active sensor illustrated in figures 3 and 4, [Fig. 6] schematically and in perspective view represents the interior of a housing for the active sensor illustrated in figures 3 to 5, [Fig.7] schematically represents, in perspective view, a passive sensor of the station illustrated in figures 1 and 2, [Fig.8] schematically represents, in front view, the passive sensor illustrated in [Fig.7], and [Fig.9] represents, in the form of a flowchart, the implementation steps of a station that is the subject of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0021] The present description is given by way of non-limiting grammar, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.

[0022] It should be noted from the outset that the figures are not to scale.

[0023] As will be understood from the present description, various inventive concepts can be implemented by one or more of the methods or devices described below, several examples of which are provided herein. The actions or steps carried out in the implementation of the method or device can be ordered in any appropriate manner. Consequently, it is possible to construct embodiments in which the actions or steps are performed in a different order than that illustrated, which may include the simultaneous execution of certain acts, even if they are presented as sequential acts in the illustrated embodiments.

[0024] The indefinite articles "un" and "une", as used in the description, should be understood as meaning "at least one", unless clearly stated otherwise.

[0025] The expression "and / or", as used in this document, shall be understood as meaning "either or both" of the elements thus joined, that is, elements that are present conjunctively in some cases and disjunctively in others. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" shall be interpreted in the same way, that is, "one or more" of the elements thus joined. Other elements may also be present, other than those specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether or not they are related to those specifically identified elements.Thus, by way of non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B", when used in conjunction with an open language such as "including", may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (possibly including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (possibly including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to A and B (possibly including other elements); etc.

[0026] As used herein in the description, "or" should be understood inclusively.

[0027] As used in this description, the expression "at least one", with reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood as meaning at least one element chosen from one or more elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each element specifically enumerated in the list of elements and not excluding any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for the optional presence of elements other than the elements specifically identified in the list of elements to which the expression "at least one" refers, whether or not they are related to those specifically identified elements.Thus, by way of non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or, equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, possibly including more than one, A, without B present (and possibly including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, possibly including more than one, B, without A present (and possibly including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, possibly including more than one, A, and at least one, possibly including more than one, B (and possibly including other elements); etc.

[0028] In the description below, all transitive expressions such as "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "implying", "holding", "composed of", and others, should be understood as open, that is, as meaning including, but not limited to. Only the transitive expressions "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" should be understood as closed or semi-closed transitive expressions, respectively.

[0029] Throughout this description, the terms "upper" and "top" refer to what is at the top when the station of the present invention is in its operational configuration. The top of the station is at the top of Figures 1 to 8. The terms "lower" and "bottom" refer to what is at the bottom when the station of the present invention is in its operational configuration. The term "interior" or "internal" refers to what is inside an element of the station. The term "exterior" or "external" refers to what is outside an element of the station. The term "front" refers to the horizontal view of the station with a photovoltaic panel oriented.

[0030] The objective of the capture station described in figures 1 to 8 is to collect spores of pathogens of fungal diseases in agriculture in order to integrate this data into modeling algorithms, as well as bioaerosols contained in the atmosphere.

[0031] As illustrated in figures 1 and 2, this capture station 20 consists of at least two sensors 30 and 50 carried by a support 21. In this embodiment, the support 21 consists of a vertical mast 21 equipped with a foot 22.

[0032] In this embodiment, this foot 22 is a pile driven into the ground 15. In variants, this foot is a substantial mass placed on the ground 15. The lower sensor 50, described opposite Figures 7, 8 and 9, is a passive sensor positioned at a first height 16 less than fifty centimeters above the level of the ground 15, therefore from the base 22 and, preferably, at a first height 16 greater than twenty centimeters. This height 16 ensures that the hydrophilic leaf 52, facing the ground 15, of the lower passive sensor 50 receives splashes caused by raindrops containing spores in the event of the presence of spore-bearing pathogens on the soil 15 of the plot surrounding the base 22.

[0033] The upper sensor 30, described opposite Figures 3 to 6, is an active sensor, positioned at a second height 17, above the level of the foot 22, higher than the first height 16. Typically, the second height 17 is greater than 1.2 meters so that the photovoltaic panel 31 is not, with respect to the sun, masked by branches or leaves of the crop present on the plot.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the station 20 further comprises an upper passive aerosol collector 40, which rotates about an axis 42 under the action of the wind to direct an airflow onto a surface 41 for the adhesion of particles, particularly spores, present in this airflow in aerosol form. For example, the upper passive collector 40 takes the form of a wind vane comprising a funnel 43 whose largest cross-section is oriented towards the wind and, at the outlet of this funnel 43, the surface 41.

[0035] As illustrated in figures 3 to 6, the active sensor 30 comprises a housing 34 mounted on the mast 21 by mechanical fastening means 33. The housing 34 is, for example, made of rigid plastic material, such as PVC (Polyvinyl chloride).

[0036] The housing 34 contains a battery 37 and a motor 39 for rotating at least one rotating arm 35 supporting at least one rod 36 coated with an aerosol adhesive substance, for example, petroleum jelly. In the figures, a single arm 35 supports three rods 36. The arm 35 rotates about a vertical axis parallel to the axis 42 of the mast 21 and the axis of rotation of the upper passive sensor 40. At least one rod 36 is oriented, from the rotating arm 35, towards the ground, i.e., also towards the base 22 of the mast 21. The motor 39 is configured to rotate the arm 35 at a speed of between 1,200 and 4,800 revolutions per minute.

[0037] A support 32 supports a photovoltaic panel 31 at an angle. Typically, the photovoltaic panel has a peak power greater than 10 W, for example 20 W.

[0038] The photovoltaic panel 31 is configured to supply, during a cloudy day, the battery 37 with electrical energy enabling the rotation of the motor 39 for at least sixteen hours and, preferably, at least 48 hours.

[0039] The battery 37 is configured to supply the motor 39 with electrical energy enabling its rotation for at least sixteen hours and, preferably, at least 48 hours.

[0040] More generally, the photovoltaic panel 31 and the battery 37 are configured to continuously power the entire station 20, including its active sensor 30, regardless of weather conditions.

[0041] Typically, battery 37 has a voltage of 12 V and a capacity of 9 Ah.

[0042] It can be seen in [Fig. 6] that the housing 34 also contains an electrical card 38 of control, power supply and control of motor 39. An on / off switch (not shown) located outside the housing 34 allows an operator to activate or stop motor 39, in particular to replace the rods 36.

[0043] The rotation of the arm 35 is continuous, except during the sampling and changing phases of the rods 36. Figures 7 and 8 show that the lower passive sensor 50 takes the form of a protective cover 53 for a hydrophilic sheet 52 against raindrops. This cover 53 is shaped like a truncated cylinder with its axis perpendicular to the axis of this mast, its directrix a circular arc, and open towards the base 22 of the mast 21.

[0044] As illustrated in [Fig. 8], the support for the hydrophilic sheet 52 includes at least one clip 51 and the inner face of the protection 53 for the hydrophilic sheet 52 against raindrops. Mounting holes 54 allow the passive sensor 50 to be attached to the mast 21 or, alternatively, to another element present on the plot, for example another mast, a vine stake, or a trellis wire for the crop.

[0045] For example, the lower passive sensor 50 consists of a PVC half-tube 53 with a length preferably less than 30 centimeters.

[0046] At least one collection matrix 52, of the “blotting paper” or “Wattman paper” type, is positioned on the inner face of this half-tube 53. Each matrix 52 is held in position by means of “gripper”-type gripping means 51 positioned on either side of the PVC half-tube 53. The PVC tube 53 is fixed to the mast 21 of the capture station 20 using a hose clamp. It is positioned at a height between 20 and 50 cm. This lower passive sensor 50 can also be positioned on crop stakes or crop trellis wires.

[0047] The optimized and compact design of the Capture Station 20 reduces the operational constraints on plots caused by tillage and topping operations. The Capture Station 20 minimizes its footprint, thus reducing the impact on plowing and weeding. For example, in French vineyards, where vine rows are often narrow, the compact Capture Station 20 allows agricultural machinery, such as tractors and inter-row cultivators, to move freely, thereby optimizing soil management without compromising disease monitoring.

[0048] This capture station 20 is installed, for example, in vineyard plots in order to analyze the presence and then the quantity of pathogens related to vine diseases (including downy mildew, powdery mildew, Black Rot (Guignardia bidwellii), grey rot). For example, capture station 20 is positioned in the vineyard plots in March or April and removed in September.

[0049] In some embodiments (not shown), the housing 34 further includes a temperature, pressure, humidity and / or rainfall sensor. The measurements taken by this sensor are stored in memory for analysis.

[0050] As illustrated in [Fig.9], a method 60 for operating a capture station of the invention comprises, first, a step 61 of setting up the capture station in a plot, in the configuration illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. During a step 62, a hydrophilic sheet 52 is positioned in the lower passive sensor 50. During a step 63, sampling sticks 36 are placed on the rotating arm 35, and then petroleum jelly is applied to the sticks 36.

[0051] During a step 64, the motor 39 which drives the rotation of the arm 35 is started, for example at 2,400 revolutions per minute via the on / off switch.

[0052] During stage 65, which typically lasts several days, the motor 39 continues to run continuously, thanks to the power supply of the battery 37 by the photovoltaic panel 31.

[0053] Following a predetermined period, for example of 48 or 72 hours, during a step 66, the rotation of the motor 39 is stopped by means of the on and off switch.

[0054] During a step 67, the sticks 36 are removed and packaged in a tube, for example of 5 millilitres.

[0055] During a step 68, the hydrophilic sheet 52 is removed and prepared for analysis.

[0056] Following step 68, we return to step 62, on the one hand, and we analyze in the laboratory the samples taken from the sticks 36 and from the hydrophilic sheet 52, on the other hand.

[0057] Steps 62 to 68 are, for example, repeated every two to three days for four to five months, i.e. about 60 times a year.

[0058] As can be understood from reading the preceding description, the capture station which is the subject of the invention has many advantages.

[0059] It allows a combination of air and rainwater sampling sensors to target all phases of each biological cycle, in order to have the most sensitive and accurate measurement possible of downy mildew, powdery mildew, black rot and grey rot.

[0060] The energy-intensive functions of the active sensor 30 are reduced. The active sensor 30, thus energy-optimized, can then be powered by a 10 or 20W, which allows the volume of station 20 to be reduced to a minimum and integrated into the heart of the plots without hindering the passage of agricultural machinery.

[0061] The design of station 20 makes it possible to do without the presence of power cables. Presentation of the invention

[0062] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0063] To this end, the present invention relates to an aerosol capture station on a plot of agricultural land, characterized in that it comprises, on a sensor support equipped with a base for support on the soil of this plot: - a passive aerosol collector lower down, at a first height less than fifty centimeters above the level of the foot, comprising a support for a hydrophilic sheet and protection of this sheet against raindrops and - at a second height above the level of the foot higher than the first height, an active aerosol sensor, comprising a photovoltaic panel, a battery and a motor for rotating at least one rotating arm supporting at least one rod coated with an aerosol adhesion substance.

[0064] Thanks to these arrangements, the station which is the subject of the invention allows the capture, continuously for several days and without input of non-renewable electrical energy, of spores found on the ground and of spores present in the air.

[0065] In optional embodiments, the second height is at least equal to 1.2 meters.

[0066] Thus, the photovoltaic panel is located at or above the canopy of the crop present on the plot. This photovoltaic panel is therefore particularly efficient.

[0067] In optional embodiments, at least one rod is oriented, from the rotating arm, towards the base of the sensor support.

[0068] Thanks to these arrangements, gravity maintains the orientation of the rod and it can be protected from rain by the housing of the active sensor.

[0069] In optional embodiments, the sensor support is a straight mast and the protection of the hydrophilic sheet against raindrops is a truncated cylinder with an axis perpendicular to the axis of this mast, with a directrix in an arc of a circle open towards the base of this mast.

[0070] Thanks to these provisions, this protection is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0071] In optional embodiments, the support of the hydrophilic sheet includes at least one clip and the inner face of the hydrophilic sheet protects against raindrops.

[0072] Thanks to these arrangements, the positioning and removal of the hydrophilic sheet are facilitated.

[0073] In optional embodiments, the station further comprises a passive upper aerosol sensor, movable in rotation around an axis under the action of the wind to direct an airflow onto an aerosol adhesion surface.

[0074] Thanks to these arrangements, spores transported by the wind can be captured and analyzed.

[0075] In optional embodiments, the battery is configured to supply the motor with electrical energy enabling its rotation for at least sixteen hours.

[0076] In optional embodiments, the photovoltaic panel is configured to provide, during a cloudy day, the battery with electrical energy enabling the motor to rotate for at least sixteen hours.

[0077] Thanks to each of these arrangements, even in low sunlight, the battery ensures the continuity of the rotation of the rods.

[0078] In optional embodiments, the motor is configured to rotate the arm at a speed between 1,200 and 4,800 revolutions per minute.

[0079] Thanks to these arrangements, all the spores present in the air stirred by the rods are captured.

Claims

Demands

1. Aerosol capture station (20) on an agricultural plot, characterized in that it comprises, on a support (21) of sensors (30, 40, 50) equipped with a foot (22) for support on the earth of this plot: - a lower passive aerosol collector (50), at a first height (16) less than fifty centimeters above the level of the foot, comprising a support (51) of a hydrophilic sheet (52) and a protection (53) of this sheet against raindrops and - at a second height (17) above the level of the foot greater than the first height, an active aerosol collector (30), comprising a photovoltaic panel (31), a battery (37) and a motor (39) for rotating at least one rotating arm (35) supporting at least one rod (36) coated with an aerosol adhesion substance.

2. Station (20) according to claim 1, wherein the second height (17) is at least equal to 1.2 meters.

3. Station (20) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one stick (36) is oriented, from the rotating arm (35), towards the foot (22) of the support (21) of sensors (30, 40, 50).

4. Station (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support (21) for sensors (30, 40, 50) is a straight mast and the protection (53) of the hydrophilic sheet (52) against raindrops is a truncated cylinder with axis perpendicular to the axis of this mast, with directrix in arc of circle open towards the foot (22) of this mast.

5. Station (20) according to claim 4, wherein the support (51) of the hydrophilic sheet (52) comprises at least one clip and the inner face of the protection (53) of the hydrophilic sheet against raindrops.

6. Station (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a passive upper aerosol sensor (40) movable in rotation about an axis (42) under the action of the wind to direct an airflow onto an aerosol adhesion surface (41).

7. Station (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the battery (37) is configured to supply the motor (39) with electrical power enabling its rotation for at least sixteen hours.

8. 12 Station (20) according to claim 7, wherein the photovoltaic panel (31) is configured to supply, during a cloudy day, to the battery (37) electrical energy enabling the rotation of the motor (39) for at least sixteen hours.

9. Station (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the motor (39) is configured to rotate the arm (35) at a speed between 1,200 and 4,800 revolutions per minute.

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