Submerged Fluorometer Prism for Low Excitation Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring devices for harmful algal blooms (HABs) in water bodies, such as hand-held, lab-based, and buoy-based systems, face limitations including labor dependency, limited continuous monitoring capabilities, and reduced fluorescent signal strength due to total internal reflection issues with transparent windows, which hinder effective detection of plankton activity near the water surface.
Innovation Solution
A submersible fluorometer with a buoy assembly and an instrument assembly featuring a prism with angled surfaces, positioned to minimize reflections and maximize light transmission, allowing for closer fluorescence emission detection near the sensor package, thereby enhancing signal strength and enabling continuous monitoring of HABs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent window is used to separate electrical components from water, then electrical isolation is achieved, but light transmission is greatly reduced due to total internal reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent window as an intermediary element between the electrical components and water. This window allows controlled light transmission while maintaining electrical isolation. The window is specifically designed with optical properties that minimize total internal reflection, enabling both electrical protection and optical functionality to coexist.
2Loss of energy
If emissions are directed perpendicular to the window to avoid total internal reflection, then light transmission is improved, but the fluorescent stimulation distance increases to 3-4 cm, leading to low signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the emission angle parameter from perpendicular (90 degrees) to a shallower angle relative to the window surface. This parameter change allows the excitation light to enter the water at an optimized angle that balances avoiding total internal reflection while maintaining a shorter distance to the analyte workspace, thereby improving both light transmission and fluorescence signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a prism element that adds a new dimensional aspect to the optical path. The prism refracts the emission at controlled angles, creating a three-dimensional optimization of the light path that allows shallow emission angles while maintaining effective light transmission into the analyte workspace.
3Reliability
If fluorescent stimulation is performed far below the window surface to avoid TIR, then electrical isolation is maintained, but the long fluorescent signal path causes exponential signal drop-off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the emission angle parameter to create a shallower path through the window material. This parameter change reduces the effective path length that fluorescence signals must travel back to the sensor, minimizing exponential signal drop-off while maintaining electrical isolation through the window barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The prism acts as an optical intermediary that refracts and directs both excitation and fluorescence light paths. It enables the system to maintain the window as an electrical barrier while creating optimized optical pathways that reduce signal loss through controlled refraction angles.
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 allows for more effective detection of fluorescent signals from analytes near the water surface, improving the monitoring of HABs by reducing signal loss and increasing the proximity of fluorescence emissions to the sensor, thus enhancing the accuracy and reliability of HAB detection.
Implementation Method 1
a prism arranged in contact with the window or coupled to the window via an optical fluid or glue, wherein the prism is configured to direct emissions from the one or more emission sources towards the analyte workspace
Implementation Method 2
one or more emission sources electrically coupled to the circuit assembly of the instrument assembly, wherein the one or more emission sources are configured to emit light in one or more frequencies or wavelength bands
Implementation Method 3
at least one photosensor positioned above the window and configured to detect fluorescence emissions of one or more analytes being interrogated in the analyte workspace
Implementation Method 4
a filter array comprising one or more filters and positioned between the window and the photosensor, the one or more filters selected from a group consisting of a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, and a band-pass filter
Implementation Method 5
a buoy assembly, wherein the buoy assembly comprises a buoyancy device and a power structure
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for monitoring fluorescent peaks using a fluorometer, where the fluorometer comprises an instrument assembly, a circuit assembly, a casing, and a window set into the casing, wherein at least a portion of the instrument assembly is submerged within a liquid and above an analyte workspace; a buoy assembly; one or more emission sources electrically coupled to the circuit assembly, the emission sources configured to emit light in one or more frequencies or wavelength bands; a prism arranged in contact with the window, the prism configured to direct emissions from the emission sources towards the analyte workspace, the prism including at least one angled surface; at least one photosensor positioned above the window and configured to detect fluorescence emissions of analytes in the analyte workspace; and a filter array positioned between the window and the photosensor.