Groundwater Probe Shielding and Filtration for Hard Bottoms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Groundwater evaluation tools are susceptible to damage when inserted into underwater environments with sediment or hardened bottoms, and their measurements become inaccurate due to contact with particulate matter.

Innovation Solution

A probe with a shielding device and deployment rig that allows for precise placement into hard underwater surfaces, equipped with a particulate filter and armor sheath to prevent damage and interference from particulate matter, enabling accurate in situ measurements of groundwater characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the probe is inserted into hard underwater surfaces, then groundwater measurement is enabled, but the probe becomes damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegroundwater measurement capabilityVSAvoidprobe durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is equipped with a protective shield and armored sheath that are installed beforehand to cushion and absorb the impact when the probe encounters hard underwater surfaces during insertion, preventing damage to the sensitive measurement components while enabling reliable groundwater measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the probe contacts particulate matter in sediment water, then groundwater sampling is possible, but measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegroundwater sampling capabilityVSAvoidconductivity measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A particulate filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the probe and the sediment water. The filter allows groundwater to pass through while blocking particulate matter, enabling sampling capability while protecting the sensors from particulate interference and maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate probes are used for temperature and conductivity measurements, then comprehensive groundwater characterization is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegroundwater characterization capabilityVSAvoidnumber of separate probes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensing elements for temperature and conductivity measurements are merged into a single integrated probe structure. This consolidation enables comprehensive groundwater characterization while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate probes and associated sampling systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables accurate, real-time measurement of groundwater temperature and conductivity without damage, even in challenging underwater conditions, by filtering out particulate matter and protecting the probe from physical harm, thus ensuring reliable data collection.

Implementation Method 1

An external screen membrane used with the probe allows accurate groundwater characteristic measurement by filtering out particulate and preventing them from entering the reservoir measurement zone around the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The shielded reservoir area allows real time in situ measurements vital to the accurate characterization of the groundwater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

The shielded reservoir area allows real time in situ measurements vital to the accurate characterization of the groundwater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConductivity sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS8616275B2Groundwater evaluation tools and methods of groundwater evaluation

Publication Date: 2013.12.31 PAULSEN RONALD J

AI summary

This application is directed to a probe used for measuring groundwater characteristics such as temperature and conductivity, and for collecting a groundwater sample. The probe also has a shielding device that allows the probe to be driven into a hard underwater surface without damaging the probe. A deployment rig for accurately placing the probe into the underwater surface is also disclosed. The application is further directed to a method for placing a probe and measuring groundwater characteristics. An external screen membrane used with the probe allows accurate groundwater characteristic measurement by filtering particulate matter. The probe and external screen membrane allow for in situ measurement and monitoring.