Removable Sensor Package Buoy for Fouling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water sensor buoys deployed in aquatic environments face fouling issues due to accumulation of particulates and growth of algae on the exterior sensor surface, leading to reduced sensitivity and reproducibility of sensor data.
Innovation Solution
The water sensor buoy design includes a removable sensor package with a watertight seal and an electrical conduit, allowing for easy maintenance and disengagement of the sensor. Additionally, a wiper wheel with a wiper and a water pump with a water jet outlet are integrated to remove particulates from the exterior sensor surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is permanently installed in the buoy, then the structural integrity and watertight sealing are improved, but the maintenance complexity and time required for sensor cleaning and replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into a permanent buoy structure and a removable sensor package. The sensor package including the sensor element, housing, and electronics can be independently removed and replaced without affecting the buoy structure, resolving the contradiction between maintaining watertight sealing and enabling easy sensor maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor package is extracted as a separate removable component from the buoy. This allows the sensor to be taken out for cleaning or replacement while the buoy remains intact and watertight, addressing both the need for reliable sealing and ease of sensor maintenance.
2Ease of repair
If the sensor package is made removable, then the ease of maintenance and sensor replacement is improved, but the device complexity and potential for leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable connection features are localized to specific engagement points on the buoy and sensor package housing. This minimizes the complexity of the removable mechanism while maintaining secure connection and watertight sealing where needed, allowing easy sensor replacement without over-complicating the overall device.
3Measurement precision
If frequent sensor cleaning is performed manually, then the sensitivity and reproducibility are maintained, but the time consumption and operational interruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper wheel and water jet system perform preliminary cleaning actions continuously or periodically to prevent fouling accumulation. This maintains sensor sensitivity and reproducibility without requiring frequent manual intervention, reducing maintenance time and operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor package incorporates self-cleaning capabilities through the wiper wheel and water jet system that automatically remove particulates from the sensor surface. This self-service cleaning mechanism maintains measurement precision without requiring manual maintenance intervention, reducing time loss.
4Ease of operation
If a removable sensor package with watertight seal is used, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the device complexity and potential sealing failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into localized gasket connections at the interface between the sensor package and buoy. This concentrates the sealing function at specific points rather than requiring a complex continuous seal, making the removable connection simpler while maintaining watertight integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A water sensor buoy for use in a water environment including a main buoy assembly and a sensor package. The assembly includes a buoy hull, a data processing and control unit, a data transmission unit, and a power source. The sensor package is in removable engagement with the assembly. The sensor package includes a sensor housing in removable engagement with the buoy hull, and a water sensor in removable electronic communication with the data processing and control unit and the power source, and configured to sense an attribute of the water environment. The buoy has a watertight seal between the buoy hull and sensor housing, and an electrical conduit. The conduit is engageable with the data processing and control unit and the power source with the sensor housing being engaged with the buoy hull, and disengageable upon the sensor housing being disengaged from the buoy hull.