Optical probe device, optical probe system, and method for performing component analysis of substances in water using the same.

Abstract

This invention relates to an optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances present in water in an underwater environment. Such optical probes have a problem in that suspended solids in the water, such as organic carbon, adhere to the optical system or glass window of the sensing unit equipped with focusing optics, which hinders sensing. [Solution] The present invention discloses an optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water, comprising: a light source unit that emits excitation light; a sensing unit that irradiates water with the excitation light and collects scattered light scattered in the water; a spectroscopic unit configured to analyze the scattered light; an optical transport unit that connects the light source unit and the sensing unit, and the sensing unit and the spectroscopic unit; and a cap having an opening on one side and configured to house the sensing unit inside, and configured such that when the cap is lowered and immersed in water with the opening positioned to cover the water surface, an internal air layer separates the sensing unit from the underwater environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical probe device, an optical probe system for analyzing the components of substances present in an underwater environment, and a method for performing component analysis of underwater substances using the same.

Background Art

[0002] When analyzing the components of substances present in water, an optical probe equipped with a sensing unit is generally used. However, when such an optical probe is used underwater, suspended substances in the water such as organic carbon adhere to the optical system of the sensing unit equipped with focusing optics or the glass window, inhibiting sensing.

[0003] To solve this problem, conventionally, a method of attaching a mini wiper to wipe the glass window has been adopted. However, in the case of substances with severe contamination, accurate cleaning is difficult with the conventional technology. Especially in the case of a monitoring system that operates remotely without human intervention, manual cleaning is impossible, so a new solution is required.

[0004] Therefore, there is a demand for presenting a new concept of an optical probe that prevents contamination of the glass window of the optical probe. On the other hand, conventional optical probes are similarly disclosed as prior art in U.S. Registered Patent No. 11946803, Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-2595661, and Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-2637648.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] The first object of the present invention is to provide an optical probe device that can separate the sensing unit from the underwater environment and prevent contamination of the sensing unit when performing component analysis of substances in water, and a method for performing component analysis of substances in water using the same.

[0007] Furthermore, a second objective of the present invention is to provide a structure that can stably separate the sensing unit from the underwater environment and prevent contamination of the sensing unit, even in underwater environments above a certain depth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the first objective of the present invention, the present invention discloses an optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water, comprising: a light source unit that emits excitation light; a sensing unit that irradiates water with the excitation light and collects scattered light scattered in the water; a spectroscopic unit configured to analyze the scattered light; an optical transport unit that connects the light source unit and the sensing unit, and the sensing unit and the spectroscopic unit; and a cap having an opening on one side and configured to house the sensing unit inside, and configured such that when the cap descends and is immersed in water with the opening positioned to cover the water surface, an internal air layer separates the sensing unit from the underwater environment.

[0009] The sensing unit may include a collimator configured to convert the excitation light into parallel light and to focus the scattered light, and a focusing optics positioned in front of the collimator and configured to focus the parallel light converted by the collimator and to convert the scattered light scattered in water into parallel light.

[0010] The edge of the cap that limits the opening may be located between the focusing optics and the focal point focused by the focusing optics.

[0011] To achieve a second object of the present invention, the optical probe device may further include an air injection device connected to the cap and configured to inject air into the cap.

[0012] The optical probe device may further include a first moisture-sensing sensor positioned at a predetermined distance inward from the end of the cap that protrudes forward from the focusing optics, and configured to sense water filling the inside of the cap, and the air injection device may be configured to inject air according to a first set value when moisture is detected by the first moisture-sensing sensor.

[0013] The optical probe device may further include a second moisture-sensing sensor provided on the inner wall of the cap located between the focusing optics and the first moisture-sensing sensor, and configured to sense water that has risen above the water level at which the first moisture-sensing sensor is located, and the air injection device is configured to inject air according to a second setting value greater than the first setting value when moisture is detected by the second moisture-sensing sensor, and the first and second setting values ​​may include at least one of the amount of air injected and the injection time.

[0014] The optical probe device may further include a sensing unit moisture sensing sensor positioned at the front end of the sensing unit located in front of the focusing optics and configured to sense moisture, and the air injection device may be configured to inject air when moisture is detected by the sensing unit moisture sensing sensor.

[0015] The optical probe device may further include a shutter provided on the cap and configured to open and close the opening of the cap, wherein the shutter may be closed with an air layer trapped inside the cap before being immersed in water, and open when immersed in water and reaching the target location.

[0016] The optical probe device may further include a water pressure sensing sensor provided on the cap and configured to sense water pressure, and an air injection device connected to the cap and configured to inject air into the cap before the shutter opens if the water pressure sensed by the water pressure sensing sensor is greater than a preset value.

[0017] The optical probe device may further include a water surface sensing sensor provided at the end of the cap and configured to sense whether or not the cap is in contact with the water surface, and the sensing unit may rise by a predetermined distance to sense any substance on the water surface when the water surface sensing sensor detects that the cap is in contact with the water surface.

[0018] The sensing unit may be provided in multiple locations, and the focal points focused by the multiple sensing units may be formed to be different from each other, so that each of the multiple sensing units analyzes the components of water substances at different points within a region corresponding to the cap.

[0019] The sensing unit may be provided in multiple locations, and the focal points focused by at least two of the sensing units may be identical to each other, such that each of at least two of the sensing units analyzes the components of aquatic substances at the same point.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention discloses a method for performing component analysis of substances in water using the above-described optical probe device.

[0021] The present invention also discloses an optical probe system for analyzing the components of underwater substances, including the optical probe device configured to analyze the components of underwater substances and a lifting device configured to move the optical probe device up and down so as to take it out of the water or immerse it in the water.

[0022] When the water surface is sensed by the first water level sensor, the lifting device is configured to rise by a preset distance so that the sensing unit senses substances above the water surface. After the sensing unit senses substances above the water surface, it may be configured to descend to reach the target point after immersing in the water.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention discloses a method for performing component analysis of underwater substances using the above-described optical probe system.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] The advantages of the present invention obtained through the above-described solution means are as follows.

[0025] According to the present invention, when it descends and immerses in the water with the opening of the cap arranged to cover the water surface, the internal air layer is configured to separate the sensing unit housed inside the cap from the underwater environment. Thereby, when analyzing the components of underwater substances, the sensing unit can be separated from the underwater environment, preventing the sensing unit from being contaminated. As a result, the component analysis of underwater substances can be performed more precisely and conveniently.

[0026] Also, according to the present invention, when the water pressure sensed by the water pressure sensor is greater than a preset value, the air injection device can be configured to inject air into the cap. Thereby, when the optical probe device is immersed to a certain depth or more, it is possible to prevent the sensing unit from being contaminated due to the increase in water pressure and the compression of air.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1]This is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe system equipped with a lifting device. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe device. [Figure 3] This is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe device equipped with a shutter. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual diagram showing the movement of an optical probe used to measure NAPL (Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid) on the water surface using a lifting device. [Figure 5] This is a conceptual diagram showing the movement of the sensing unit 110 to measure NAPL on the water surface. [Figure 6] This is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe equipped with multiple sensing units 110 to measure a single point. [Figure 7] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for measuring water surface NAPL using an optical probe equipped with multiple sensing units 110. [Figure 8] This is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe equipped with multiple sensing units 110 that measure multiple points. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but notwithstanding the reference numerals in the drawings, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes “module” and “part” used for components in the following description are merely added or mixed for the sake of ease of writing the specification and do not have any distinguishing meaning or role in themselves. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description of the relevant prior art may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein and should not be understood as limiting the technical ideas disclosed herein, but rather as including any modifications, equivalents or substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

[0029] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "1st," "2nd," etc., can be used to describe various components, but the components are not undefined by the terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0030] When it is stated that one component is “linked” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly linked or directly connected to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is “directly linked” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0031] Unless otherwise specified in the context, singular expressions include plural expressions.

[0032] In this application, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Lenses in components such as the sensing unit 110 can be replaced with mirrors. That is, a convex lens functions like a concave mirror, and a concave lens functions like a convex mirror.

[0034] Figure 1 shows an optical probe device 100 equipped with a lifting device 10. As shown in Figure 1, the optical probe device 100 can be moved vertically by the lifting device 10, such as being immersed in water 3 or being removed from water 3 and moved to the air 1. In this case, the vertical direction is defined as upward when moving towards the air 1 with respect to the water surface 2, and downward when moving towards water 3 with respect to the water surface 2, and upward and downward are unrelated to the direction of movement of the light transported from the light source unit 130.

[0035] The lifting device 10 may include a cable 11, a pulley 12, and a drum 13. One end of the cable 11 may be connected to an optical probe device 100, and the other end may be connected to the drum 13. Depending on the length of the cable 11, the position of the optical probe device 100 connected to one end of the cable 11 may change between air 1 or water 3 (Target Volume). The pulley 12 can guide the movement of the cable 11, and the drum 13 may have a semicircular groove and be formed to wind up and unwind the cable 11. In this case, the length of the cable 11 can be automatically adjusted by supplying electricity to the drum 13, or the length of the cable 11 can be easily adjusted by attaching a handle to the drum 13.

[0036] The cable 11 may be connected to an air injection line 161 configured to inject air into the cap 150, or the air injection line 161 may be connected to an air injection device 160 provided outside the cap 150.

[0037] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the optical probe device 100. As shown in Figure 2, the optical probe device 100 includes a light source unit 130 that emits excitation light, a sensing unit 110 that irradiates the water 3 with the excitation light and collects the scattered light scattered in the water 3, a spectroscopic unit 140 configured to analyze the scattered light, an optical transport unit 120 that connects the light source unit 130 and the sensing unit 110, and the sensing unit 110 and the spectroscopic unit 140, and a cap 150 having an opening on one side and configured to house the sensing unit 110 inside, and configured such that when it descends and is immersed in the water 3 with the opening positioned to cover the water surface 2, the internal air layer separates the sensing unit 110 from the environment of the water 3.

[0038] Here, the light source unit 130 emits excitation light, and the excitation light emitted from the light source unit 130 is incident on the light transfer unit 120 and transferred via the light transfer unit 120, and the transferred excitation light can be incident on the sensing unit 110.

[0039] The sensing unit 110 may include a collimator 111 configured to convert excitation light into parallel light and focus scattered light, and a focusing optics 112 positioned in front of the collimator 111, configured to focus the parallel light converted by the collimator 111 and convert scattered light scattered in the water 3 into parallel light. In this case, front and back are described with reference to the direction of movement of the light transported from the light source unit 130, with the direction in which the incident light moves being considered front.

[0040] The collimator 111 and focusing optics 112 are fixed by a sensing housing 113, which may be coupled to an optical transport unit 120. This allows excitation light incident from the optical transport unit 120 to be incident on the collimator 111.

[0041] The sensing housing 113 is formed to surround the collimator 111 and the focusing optics 112, and can fix the positions of the collimator 111 and the focusing optics 112. The shape of the sensing housing 113 may vary depending on the shapes of the collimator 111 and the focusing optics 112. Here, in Figures 1 to 8, the dotted lines drawn inside and outside the sensing housing 113 represent the movement of light, and the end of the dotted line extending downward from the focusing optics 112 may represent the focal point f of the sensing unit 110.

[0042] The collimator 111 and focusing optics 112 may have a coating layer formed to prevent surface contamination. The coating layer may be formed as a hydrophilic coating, which can reduce the size of water droplets formed on the surface, making the surface smoother and promoting better water absorption and penetration. As a result, even if the underwater environment 3 is disturbed, water droplets will not remain on the surface of the sensing unit 110 but will fall off immediately, thus preventing contamination of the sensing unit 110 and protecting its surface.

[0043] Furthermore, it has the advantage of preventing oil-containing contaminants from easily adhering to hydrophilic surfaces.

[0044] The excitation light received by the sensing unit 110 may be converted into parallel light by the collimator 111, and the parallel light may be focused by the focusing optics 112 and irradiated into the water 3. Subsequently, the irradiated focused light is scattered in the water 3 and converted into scattered light, and at least a portion of the scattered light is incident on the focusing optics 112 and converted into parallel light, the parallel light is focused by the collimator 111, and the focused parallel light is transported by the light transport unit 120 and transmitted to the spectroscopic unit 140.

[0045] The spectroscopic unit 140 can convert the scattered light received by the spectroscopic unit 140 into an electrical signal and spectrally analyze the scattered light.

[0046] In one embodiment, the spectroscopic unit 140 generates pre-diffraction synchrotron radiation generated by scattered light from the inspection sample in front of the diffraction grating, transmits the pre-diffraction synchrotron radiation through the diffraction grating to generate post-diffraction synchrotron radiation behind the diffraction grating, and then analyzes the inspection sample through the post-diffraction synchrotron radiation.

[0047] The spectroscopic unit 140 may include a slit section (not shown) and a collimating member (not shown) arranged sequentially along the path of the pre-diffraction synchrotron radiation, a focusing member (not shown) and a detection section (not shown) arranged sequentially along the path of the post-diffraction synchrotron radiation, and a diffraction grating (not shown) located between the collimating member and the focusing member.

[0048] The slit portion, collimating member, diffraction grating, and focusing member are fixed to one plane and separated from each other by a predetermined distance, the diffraction grating is formed in the shape of a polygonal plate erected between the pre-diffraction and post-diffraction synchrotron radiation on one plane, and has multiple openings in the polygonal plate shape, the detection unit is located on the diffraction grating away from one plane and may be formed to cover the diffraction grating along the uppermost surface of the diffraction grating when viewed from above the detection unit.

[0049] On the other hand, the diffraction grating and focusing member can be fixed to a vertical surface rather than a plane of the slit portion and collimating member, as shown in Patent Document 3, enabling high-resolution spectroscopy.

[0050] The optical transport unit 120 may be formed from an optical fiber, and the optical fiber can transmit light with low loss by having a core with a high refractive index on the inside and a cladding with a low refractive index formed on the outer surface to surround the core.

[0051] In one embodiment, the optical transport unit 120 may include a transmission optical fiber 121, one end of which is coupled to the sensing unit 110 and the other end which is formed to branch in a Y-shape; a light source optical fiber 122 that branches in one direction from the other end of the transmission optical fiber 121; and a spectral optical fiber 123 that branches in the other direction from the other end of the transmission optical fiber 121.

[0052] The excitation light emitted from the light source unit 130 may be transferred from one end of the light source optical fiber 122 to the other end, and then transferred from the light source optical fiber 122 to the transmission optical fiber 121. The light incident on the transmission optical fiber 121 may be transferred from the other end to the other end and received by the sensing unit 110. The light incident on the sensing unit 110 may be irradiated into the water 3, scattered in the water 3, and the scattered light may be incident on the sensing unit 110.

[0053] The scattered light transmitted from the sensing unit 110 is transported from one end of the transmission optical fiber 121 to the other, and may be transported simultaneously to the light source optical fiber 122 and the spectral optical fiber 123. In this case, a filter may be provided at the branching point where the transmission optical fiber 121 branches into the light source optical fiber 122 and the spectral optical fiber 123. The filter allows the scattered light transported from the transmission optical fiber 121 to be transported only to the spectral optical fiber 123 without being branched to the light source optical fiber 122.

[0054] In another embodiment, the optical transport unit 120 may include a light source optical fiber 122, one end of which is coupled to the sensing unit 110 and the other end to the light source unit 130, and a transmission optical fiber 121, one end of which is coupled to the sensing unit 110 and the other end to the spectral unit 140, and one end of each of the light source optical fiber 122 and the transmission optical fiber 121 may be simultaneously surrounded by a single cladding.

[0055] If the optical probe device 100 is a Raman spectrometer, the sensing unit 110 connected to the light source unit 130 and the spectrometer unit 140 may be separated, a bandpass filter may be provided on the light source optical fiber 122, which is the optical fiber on the light source unit 130 side, and a longpass filter may be provided on the spectrometer optical fiber 123, which is the optical fiber on the spectrometer unit 140 side. In this case, the bandpass filter and the longpass filter may be placed between the collimator 111 and the focusing optics 112.

[0056] A bandpass filter is an optical filter that transmits light within a specific wavelength range or band while blocking other wavelengths, while a longpass filter is an optical filter that absorbs or reflects short wavelengths and transmits long wavelengths.

[0057] As a result, when scattered light is generated and enters, and is converted into parallel light by the focusing optics 112 and then transported in the direction of the light transport unit 120, the bandpass filter prevents light of a specific wavelength from being transmitted to the light source unit 130, allowing only the scattered light to flow into the spectral unit 140. The longpass filter may be configured to remove primary light (excitation light) mixed with secondary light (scattered light), so that the spectral unit 140 receives only the scattered light scattered in the water 3.

[0058] The cap 150 is exemplified as having one of the following shapes: bell-shaped, cup-shaped, or dome-shaped, with an opening on one side, but the shape of the cap 150 is not limited to these. For example, the cap 150 may be formed as a square box shape with an opening on one side. The sensing unit 110 is housed inside the cap 150, and the cap 150 has an air layer inside to prevent airborne particles from adhering to the sensing unit 110 housed inside the cap 150.

[0059] The cap 150 is made of a material such as metal or plastic that prevents deformation, alteration due to contaminants, or corrosion in an underwater environment. The weight of the cap 150 is made to be greater than the set weight, so that the cap 150 descends without swaying, preventing the cap 150 from tipping over or floating matter from adhering to the focusing optics 112. Furthermore, when the cap 150 is drawn into the water 3, it is prevented from being immersed at an angle, tipping over, or falling over during immersion, and the air layer located inside the cap 150 is prevented from leaking out from inside the cap 150 when it is drawn into the water 3.

[0060] In this case, the end of the cap 150 that limits the opening may be formed to protrude beyond the sensing part 110 so that the sensing part 110 is located within the air layer. This allows the focusing optics 112 to be located within the air layer, the focal point f focused by the focusing optics 112 to be located in the water 3, and the edge of the cap 150 that limits the opening to be located between the focusing optics 112 and the focal point f focused by the focusing optics 112.

[0061] If the air layer located inside the cap 150 decreases due to water pressure, the optical probe device 100 may be removed from the water environment 3 using the lifting device 10, the cap 150 may be refilled with air, and then the optical probe device 100 may be immersed in the water environment 3 again.

[0062] Alternatively, the thickness of the air layer can be increased by increasing the distance between the end of the cap 150 and the focusing optics 112. This ensures that even if the air layer located inside the cap 150 decreases due to water pressure, the air layer will still surround the sensing unit 110, thus preventing suspended particles from adhering to the focusing optics 112.

[0063] In another embodiment, by attaching at least one sensor to the cap 150 and connecting the air injection device 160 to the cap 150, if air leaks out of the cap 150, water enters the cap 150, or the air inside the cap 150 is compressed, air can be injected into the cap 150 via the air injection device 160 without having to remove the optical probe device 100 to the ground, thereby preventing airborne particles from adhering to the focusing optics 112.

[0064] Specifically, at least one sensor selected from a first moisture sensing sensor 151, a second moisture sensing sensor 152, a water level sensing sensor 153, a sensing unit moisture sensing sensor, and a water pressure sensing sensor may be coupled inside or outside the cap 150, each configured to sense moisture. The optical probe device may further include an air injection device 160 connected to the cap 150 and configured to inject air into the cap 150.

[0065] As shown in Figure 2(a), a virtual line passing through the focusing optics 112 is denoted as the focusing optics virtual line 112', a virtual line passing through multiple first moisture sensing sensors 151 is denoted as the first moisture sensing sensor virtual line 151', a virtual line passing through multiple second moisture sensing sensors 152 is denoted as the second moisture sensing sensor virtual line 152', and a virtual line passing through multiple water surface sensing sensors 153 is denoted as the water surface sensing sensor virtual line 153'.

[0066] The first moisture-sensing sensor 151 may be positioned at a predetermined distance inward from the end of the cap 150 that protrudes forward from the focusing optics 112, and may be configured to sense water filling the inside of the cap 150. Specifically, the first moisture-sensing sensor 151 may be positioned between the virtual water level sensor line 153' and the virtual focusing optics line 112'.

[0067] As a result, when moisture is detected by the first moisture sensing sensor 151, the air injection device 160 injects air according to a first set value to increase the thickness of the air layer, pushing the water that has filled the inside of the cap into the water and positioning the water inside the cap below the virtual line 151' of the first moisture sensing sensor. Alternatively, when moisture is detected by the first moisture sensing sensor 151, the lifting device 10 can be used to remove the cap 150 and the sensing unit 110 to the atmosphere 1 and replenish the air layer inside the cap 150.

[0068] The second moisture-sensing sensor 152 is located on the inner wall of the cap 150 between the focusing optics 112 and the first moisture-sensing sensor 151, and may be configured to sense water that has risen above the water level at which the first moisture-sensing sensor 151 is located. Specifically, the second moisture-sensing sensor 152 may be located between the virtual line 151' of the first moisture-sensing sensor and the virtual line 112' of the focusing optics.

[0069] The air injection device 160 may be configured to inject air according to a second set value greater than the first set value when moisture is detected by the second moisture sensing sensor 152. In this case, the first set value and the second set value may include at least one of the amount of air injected and the injection time. This allows the water inside the cap to be positioned below the virtual line 151' of the first moisture sensing sensor when air is injected. Alternatively, when moisture is detected by the second moisture sensing sensor 152, the lifting device 10 can be used to remove the cap 150 and the sensing unit 110 to the atmosphere 1 and replenish the air layer inside the cap 150.

[0070] When moisture is detected by the first moisture sensor 151 or the second moisture sensor 152, air is injected from the air injection device 160, increasing the volume of the air layer inside the cap 150, allowing the water injected into the cap 150 to move to the outside. At this time, when the air layer fills up to the edge of the cap 150, at least a portion of the air in the air layer is discharged from the cap 150, and the bubbled air can push out suspended matter such as organic carbon from the surface that was in contact with the air layer. At this time, the first moisture sensor 151 and the second moisture sensor 152 measure the water inflow in stages, and by rapidly and precisely injecting air when the water flow increases, it is possible to prevent suspended matter and water from coming into contact with the focusing optics 112.

[0071] In other embodiments, the optical probe device may further include a sensing unit moisture sensor (not shown) coupled to the sensing unit 110 and configured to detect moisture. In this case, the sensing unit moisture sensor may preferably be located at the front end of a sensing housing 113 positioned in front of the focusing optics 112. When moisture is detected by the sensing unit moisture sensor, the air injection device 160 can rapidly inject air according to a preset value to increase the thickness of the air layer inside the cap 150, thereby pushing the water filling the cap into the water and preventing water from coming into contact with the focusing optics 112. In this case, the preset value may include at least one of the amount of air injected and the injection time. This pushes the filling water below the first moisture sensor imaginary line 151', preventing moisture from penetrating the sensing unit 110. Alternatively, when moisture is detected by the sensing unit moisture sensor, the lifting device 10 can be used to remove the cap 150 and the sensing unit 110 to the atmosphere 1 and replenish the air layer inside the cap 150.

[0072] Figure 2(a) is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe device 100 located in the atmosphere 1, and Figure 2(b) is a conceptual diagram of an optical probe device 100 located in water 3.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2(a), when the optical probe device 100, which was located in the atmosphere 1, is drawn into the water 3, it may be drawn in with an air layer inside the cap 150, as shown in Figure 2(b). At this time, some of the water in the water 3 may enter the inside of the cap 150, and if the entered water is located above the virtual line 151' of the first moisture sensing sensor, the water that has entered the cap 150 can be pushed out of the cap by injecting air into the cap 150 via the air injection device 160, thereby positioning the water below the virtual line 151' of the first moisture sensing sensor.

[0074] The cap 150 may further include a shutter 155 for opening and closing the opening of the cap 150, and a water pressure sensing sensor 154 provided on the cap 150 and configured to sense water pressure.

[0075] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe device 100 equipped with a shutter 155. Figure 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing that the shutter 155 closes the cap 150 when the optical probe device 100 is immersed in water 3, and Figure 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing that the shutter 155 opens the cap 150 when the optical probe device 100 is taking measurements in the water environment 3.

[0076] The shutter 155 may be provided on the cap 150 and configured to open and close the opening of the cap 150. The shutter 155 may be closed with an air layer trapped inside the cap 150 before immersion in the water 3, and may be configured to open when immersed in the water 3 and reaching the target location.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3(a), when the optical probe device 100 is immersed in the water 3, the shutter 155 closes the opening of the cap 150, preventing water and suspended matter in the water from entering the inside of the cap 150, and preventing air inside the cap 150 from flowing out. As shown in Figure 3(b), after immersion in the water 3 is complete, the shutter 155 is opened so that the optical probe device 100 can measure the environment of the water 3, and the focal point f focused by the focusing optics 112 can measure the substances in the water 3.

[0078] At least three water level sensors 153 may be formed on the end of the cap 150, and the distance between one water level sensor 153 and another water level sensor 153 may be the same as the distance between another water level sensor 153 and yet another water level sensor 153. When moisture is detected simultaneously by three water level sensors 153, it can be determined that the water surface 2 and the cap 150 are positioned parallel to each other and that the end of the cap 150 is in contact with the water surface 2. This prevents the cap 150 from being immersed in the water 3 at an angle. The water level sensors 153 may be configured to detect whether or not the cap 150 is in contact with the water surface 2.

[0079] The water surface sensor (153) may be configured as an ultrasonic sensor, and can detect the presence or absence of proximity between the water surface sensor (153) and the water surface (2) using a non-contact method with ultrasonic waves.

[0080] In one embodiment, when the water surface sensor 153 detects that the cap 150 has come into contact with the water surface 2, the cap 150 may rise by a predetermined distance so that the sensing unit 110 can detect a substance on the water surface 2. In another embodiment, when the water surface sensor 153 detects that the cap 150 has come into contact with the water surface 2, the sensing unit 110 may rise by a predetermined distance so that it can detect a substance on the water surface 2.

[0081] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the movement of an optical probe used by a lifting device 10 to measure suspended solids such as NAPL on the water surface 2. Figure 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing the cap 150 being lowered by the lifting device 10, Figure 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing the water surface sensing sensor 153 detecting that the cap 150 has come into contact with the water surface 2, Figure 4(c) is a schematic diagram showing that the cap 150 has risen by a preset distance, and Figure 4(d) is a schematic diagram showing that the cap 150 has been submerged in water 3.

[0082] In one embodiment, the lifting device 10 may be configured to rise by a preset distance when the water surface 2 is detected by the water surface sensing sensor 153, so that the sensing unit 110 can detect a substance on the water surface 2, and then descend to immerse itself in the water 3 and reach a target location after the sensing unit 110 has detected a substance on the water surface 2.

[0083] As shown in Figure 4(a), the cap 150 is lowered by the lifting device 10, and as shown in Figure 4(b), when the cap 150 comes into contact with the water surface 2, the water surface sensing sensor 153 can measure it. At this time, the focal point f focused by the focusing optics 112 is located in the water 3, and the operation of the lifting device 10 can be temporarily stopped when the water surface sensing sensor 153 measures the moisture. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4(c), the cap 150 rises by a preset distance, and the focal point f focused by the focusing optics 112 may be located on the water surface 2. As a result, the focal point f and the water surface 2 coincide, and the sensing unit 110 can easily measure suspended solids such as NAPL (Nonaqueous Phase Liquids, oil stains) on the water surface 2. At this time, the preset distance is the distance between the water surface 2 and the focal point f of the sensing unit 110, and may be formed to differ depending on the length of the focal point f of the sensing unit 110. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4(d), after a certain period of time has elapsed, the lifting device 10 is restarted to immerse the sensing unit 110 in the water 3, allowing the sensing unit 110 to measure the water 3. This allows the position of the cap 150 to be temporarily adjusted when it comes into contact with the water surface 2, enabling simultaneous measurement of suspended solids such as NAPL on the water surface 2 and suspended solids in the water 3.

[0084] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the movement of the sensing unit 110 to measure NAPL at the water surface 2. Figure 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing the cap 150 being lowered by the lifting device 10, Figure 5(b) is a schematic diagram showing the water surface sensing sensor 153 detecting that the cap 150 has come into contact with the water surface 2, Figure 5(c) is a schematic diagram showing that the sensing unit 110 has risen by a preset distance, Figure 5(d) is a schematic diagram showing that the sensing unit 110 has been lowered by a preset distance, and Figure 5(e) is a schematic diagram showing that the cap 150 has been submerged in water 3.

[0085] In another embodiment, the sensing unit 110 may be configured to rise by a preset distance when the water surface 2 is detected by the water surface sensing sensor 153, so as to detect a substance on the water surface 2, and then descend to immerse itself in the water 3 to reach a target location after the sensing unit 110 has detected a substance on the water surface 2.

[0086] As shown in Figure 5(a), the cap 150 is lowered by the lifting device 10, and as shown in Figure 5(b), when the cap 150 comes into contact with the water surface 2, the water surface sensing sensor 153 can measure it, and the operation of the lifting device 10 can be temporarily stopped when the water surface sensing sensor 153 measures the moisture. At this time, the focal point f focused by the focusing optics 112 may be located in the water 3. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5(c), the sensing unit 110 rises by a preset distance, and the focal point f focused by the focusing optics 112 is located at the water surface 2, so that the sensing unit 110 can easily measure suspended solids such as NAPL (Nonaqueous Phase Liquids, oil stains) at the water surface 2. At this time, the preset distance is the distance between the water surface 2 and the focal point f of the sensing unit 110, and may be formed to differ depending on the length of the focal point f of the sensing unit 110. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5(d), after the sensing unit 110 has finished measuring suspended solids such as NAPL on the water surface 2, the sensing unit 110 descends again, and is positioned so that the focal point f, focused by the focusing optics 112, is directed towards the water 3. After a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in Figure 5(e), the lifting device 10 restarts to immerse the sensing unit 110 in the water 3, allowing the sensing unit 110 to measure the water 3. This allows the position of the cap 150 to be temporarily adjusted when it comes into contact with the water surface 2, enabling the measurement of NAPL on the water surface 2 and suspended solids in the water 3.

[0087] The water pressure sensor 154 may be installed in the cap 150 and configured to sense water pressure. The water pressure sensor 154 may be configured such that, when the light probe device 100 descends and moves into the water with the shutter 155 closed, and the surrounding water pressure increases, causing the water pressure sensed by the water pressure sensor 154 to exceed a preset value, the air injection device 160 injects air into the cap 150 before the shutter 155 opens. This prevents contamination of the sensing part by the air being compressed due to rising water pressure when the light probe device is immersed beyond a certain depth.

[0088] Furthermore, the water pressure sensing sensor 154 can measure the water pressure when it is moved up and down within the water 3 after the optical probe device 100 is immersed in the water 3 and the shutter 155 is opened, and when it moves into the water with high water pressure. By increasing the thickness of the air layer by injecting only the air compressed by the water pressure into the inside of the cap 150 using the air injection device 160, the air layer becomes thinner as the air is compressed when the water pressure rises, preventing the sensing part from being located in the water 3 and being contaminated by suspended solids, etc.

[0089] The air injection device 160 receives measurement values ​​from one or more sensors selected from the first moisture sensing sensor 151, the second moisture sensing sensor 152, the water surface sensing sensor 153, the sensing unit moisture sensing sensor, and the water pressure sensing sensor 154, and injects air into the cap according to the measurement value, thereby pushing out suspended matter that tries to penetrate the cap 150 with air and bubbles. The air injection device 160 may further include an air injection line 161, one end of which is connected to the air injection device 160 and the other end which penetrates the cap 150. In this way, if the measurement value is measured to be above a set value, the air injection device 160 can compress the air, and the compressed air can move along the air injection line 161 and be injected into the cap 150.

[0090] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe equipped with multiple sensing units 110 to measure a single point, Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a NAPL measurement method on a water surface 2 using an optical probe equipped with multiple sensing units 110, and Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an optical probe equipped with multiple sensing units 110 to measure multiple points.

[0091] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the sensing unit 110 may be provided in multiple locations. In this case, even if multiple sensing units 110 are provided, they can be applied in the same way as a single sensing unit 110 to the lifting device 10, first moisture sensing sensor 151, second moisture sensing sensor 152, water surface sensing sensor 153, water pressure sensor, air injection device 160, shutter 155, etc.

[0092] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, there are multiple sensing units 110, and the focal points f focused by at least two or more sensing units 110 may be concentrated at a single point, such that each of at least two or more sensing units 110 analyzes the components of substances in the water 3 at the same point. This increases the measurement sensitivity, allowing for easy analysis of the components of substances present in the water 3, as multiple sensing units 110 measure a single focal point f.

[0093] Figure 7(a) is a schematic diagram showing how the cap 150 is lowered by the lifting device 10, Figure 7(b) is a conceptual diagram showing that one sensing unit 110 measures suspended solids such as NAPL on the water surface 2, and Figure 7(c) is a conceptual diagram showing that the remaining sensing units 110 measure the water 3.

[0094] As shown in Figure 7, the focal point f2 of one of the multiple sensing units 110 may be formed at the same height as the imaginary line 153' of the water surface sensing sensor, which is the edge of the cap 150, while the focal points f1 of the remaining sensing units 110 may be formed at a single point below the edge of the cap 150.

[0095] As shown in Figure 7(a), the optical probe device 100 is lowered by the lifting device 10, and as shown in Figure 7(b), when the water surface sensing sensor 153 comes into contact with the water surface 2, the lifting device 10 can be stopped. At this time, the focal point f2 of one sensing unit 110 is formed at the same height as the imaginary line 153' of the water surface sensing sensor, which is the edge of the cap 150, and one sensing unit 110 can easily measure suspended solids such as NAPL on the water surface 2 without having to move the optical probe device 100 or the sensing unit 110. After measuring NAPL on the water surface 2, as shown in Figure 7(c), the lifting device 10 is operated to pull the optical probe device 100 into the water 3, and substances in the water can be easily measured.

[0096] As a result, without needing to separately adjust the position of the cap 150 or the sensing unit 110, when measuring the water surface 2 with the water surface sensing sensor 153, one sensing unit 110 can measure suspended matter such as NAPL on the water surface 2, the sensing unit 110 and the cap 150 can be immersed in the water 3, and the remaining sensing unit 110 can measure the water 3.

[0097] In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the sensing unit 110 may be provided in multiple locations, and the focal points f focused by the multiple sensing units 110 may be formed to be different from each other, so that each of the multiple sensing units 110 analyzes the composition of substances in the water 3 at different points within a region corresponding to the cap 150. This makes it possible to easily analyze the composition of substances present in the water 3 when the homogeneity of the water 3 decreases by averaging the measured values ​​after the multiple sensing units 110 have measured the water 3.

[0098] In this configuration, the focal point f of one of the multiple sensing units 110 is formed at the same height as the edge of the cap 150, while the focal points f of the remaining sensing units 110 are formed below the edge of the cap 150. This allows for the measurement of NAPL at the water surface 2 and underwater 3 using only one sensing unit 110, without the need to separately adjust the position of the cap 150 or the sensing units 110. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1: Atmosphere 2: Water surface 3: Underwater 10: Lifting device 11: Cable 12: Pulley 13: Drums 100: Optical probe device 110: Sensing Department 111: Collimator 112: Focusing Optics 113: Sensing Housing 120: Optical transport unit 121: Transmitting optical fiber 122: Light source optical fiber 123: Spectroscopic optical fiber 130: Light source section 140: Spectroscopic section 150: Cap 151: First moisture sensing sensor 152: Second moisture sensing sensor 153: Water level sensor 154: Water pressure sensing sensor 155: Shutter 160: Air Injection Device 161: Air injection line

Claims

1. A light source unit that emits excitation light, A sensing unit that irradiates the water with the aforementioned excitation light and collects the scattered light scattered in the water, A spectroscopic unit configured to analyze the scattered light, The light source unit and the sensing unit, and the light transfer unit connecting the sensing unit and the spectral unit, A cap having an opening on one side and configured to house the sensing unit inside, wherein when the cap descends and is immersed in water with the opening positioned to cover the water surface, the internal air layer is configured to separate the sensing unit from the underwater environment, The sensing unit is, A collimator configured to convert the excitation light into parallel light and to focus the scattered light, An optical probe device for the component analysis of substances in water, comprising: a focusing optics positioned in front of the collimator and configured to collect the parallel light converted by the collimator and to convert the scattered light scattered in water back into parallel light.

2. The optical probe apparatus for component analysis of substances in water according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the cap limiting the opening is located between the focusing optics and the focal point focused by the focusing optics.

3. The optical probe apparatus for component analysis of substances in water according to claim 2, further comprising an air injection device connected to the cap and configured to inject air into the interior of the cap.

4. The system further includes a first moisture-sensing sensor, which is positioned at a predetermined distance inward from the end of the cap that protrudes forward from the focusing optics, and is configured to sense water filling the inside of the cap. The optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water according to claim 3, characterized in that the air injection device is configured to inject air according to a first set value when moisture is detected by the first moisture sensing sensor.

5. The present invention further includes a second moisture-sensing sensor provided on the inner wall of the cap, located between the focusing optics and the first moisture-sensing sensor, and configured to sense water that has risen above the water level at which the first moisture-sensing sensor is located. The air injection device is configured to inject air according to a second set value that is greater than the first set value when moisture is detected by the second moisture sensing sensor. The optical probe apparatus for analyzing the components of substances in water according to claim 4, characterized in that the first set value and the second set value include at least one of the amount of air injected and the injection time.

6. The system further includes a sensing unit moisture sensing sensor, which is positioned at the front end of the sensing unit located in front of the focusing optics and configured to sense moisture. The optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water, according to claim 3, characterized in that the air injection device is configured to inject air when moisture is detected by the moisture sensing sensor of the sensing unit.

7. The cap is provided with a shutter configured to open and close the opening of the cap, The optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water, according to claim 2, is characterized in that the shutter is closed with an air layer trapped inside the cap before being immersed in water, and is configured to open when immersed in water and reaches the target location.

8. A water pressure sensing sensor is provided in the cap and configured to sense water pressure, The optical probe apparatus for analyzing the components of substances in water according to claim 7, further comprising an air injection device connected to the cap and configured to inject air into the cap before the shutter opens if the water pressure sensed by the water pressure sensing sensor is greater than a preset value.

9. The present invention further includes a water surface sensing sensor provided at the end of the cap and configured to sense whether or not the cap is in contact with the water surface, The optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water according to claim 2, characterized in that when the water surface sensing sensor detects that the cap has come into contact with the water surface, the sensing unit rises by a predetermined distance to sense substances on the water surface.

10. The optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water according to claim 2, wherein the sensing unit comprises a plurality of units, and the focal points focused by the plurality of sensing units are different from each other, so that each of the plurality of sensing units analyzes the components of substances in water at different points within a region corresponding to the cap.

11. The optical probe device for analyzing the components of substances in water according to claim 2, wherein the sensing unit comprises a plurality of units, and the focal points focused by at least two of the sensing units are the same, such that each of the sensing units analyzes the components of substances in water at the same point.

12. A method for performing component analysis of substances in water using the optical probe device described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The optical probe device described in claim 9 is configured to perform component analysis of substances in water, A light probe system for analyzing the components of substances in water, comprising a lifting device for moving the light probe device up and down to remove it from or immerse it in water.

14. The aforementioned lifting device is When the water surface is detected by the water surface sensing sensor, the sensing unit is configured to rise by a preset distance to detect objects on the water surface. The optical probe system for component analysis of substances in water according to claim 13, characterized in that the sensing unit is configured to descend after sensing a substance on the water surface, and then immerse itself in the water to reach a target location.

15. A method for performing component analysis of substances in water using the optical probe system described in claim 13 or claim 14.

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