Submersible Fluorometer UV-LED Excitation and Modular Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current submersible optical sensors are not compatible with all types of underwater vehicles, limiting their ability to study fluorescent aromatic compounds in aquatic environments with high spatial and temporal frequency.
Innovation Solution
A submersible fluorometer with a compact design, featuring UV LEDs for excitation and photodiodes with optical interference filters for detection, allowing simultaneous measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, amino acids, and humic acids, and compatible with various underwater systems, including gliders, buoys, and ROVs, up to depths of 1000 meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory fluorometers with high-energy xenon lamps are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of high-energy xenon lamps with UV-LED light sources. This substitution maintains the necessary excitation capability for fluorescent aromatic compounds while dramatically reducing device bulk, weight, and complexity. The UV-LEDs provide sufficient excitation energy without requiring the bulky housing and power supply infrastructure needed for xenon lamps, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the excitation wavelength parameters by using UV-LEDs with specific wavelengths (e.g., 254 nm, 280 nm, 302 nm) tailored to excite different fluorescent aromatic compounds. This parameter optimization allows precise measurement of target compounds while using compact, low-power light sources instead of high-energy xenon lamps, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.
2Productivity
If submersible optical sensors are mounted on underwater vehicles, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal mounting system with standardized interfaces that can be adapted to various underwater vehicle types including gliders, profiling floats, AUVs, and ROVs. The fluorometer incorporates universal electrical connections and mechanical mounting features that work across different platform architectures, enabling the sensor to be deployed on any underwater vehicle while maintaining high productivity through continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a modular design where the fluorometer is segmented into independent functional modules (light source module, detection module, mounting interface module). This segmentation allows the sensor to be configured and mounted on different underwater vehicle platforms by selectively connecting appropriate modules, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining productivity through standardized interfaces.
3Device complexity
If compact design with UV LEDs is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the UV-LED excitation wavelengths to match the absorption spectra of target fluorescent aromatic compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, amino acids, humic substances). By selecting specific UV-LED wavelengths (254 nm, 280 nm, 302 nm) and combining them with appropriate optical bandpass filters, the system achieves high measurement precision for specific compounds while maintaining compact design and low complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical bandpass filters as intermediary components between the UV-LED light sources and the photodetectors. These filters selectively transmit only the fluorescence emission wavelengths of interest while blocking scattered excitation light, thereby maintaining high measurement precision despite the compact UV-LED design. The filters act as mediators that ensure signal purity without requiring complex optical systems.
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
Enables efficient and versatile measurement of fluorescent aromatic compounds across different aquatic environments, providing dynamic and adjustable measurements with reduced bulk and weight, suitable for diverse underwater platforms.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation module (40) suitable for exciting the fluorophore; the excitation module comprises a first light source (44) having a first UV LED
Implementation Method 2
a detection module (42) suitable for detecting the light emitted by the excited fluorophore
Implementation Method 3
the detection module includes a first photodiode (48), a first collimator lens (62), and a first optical interference filter (54)
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible fluorometer (10), includes:an excitation module (40) for exciting the fluorophore; anda detection module (42) for detecting the light emitted by the excited fluorophore,wherein the excitation module (40) includes a first light source (44) including a first UV LED and having a first wavelength lower than 300 nm,the excitation module (40) includes a second light source (46) including a second UV LED and having a second wavelength lower than 300 nm, the first and second wavelengths being different from each other,and the fluorometer includes an electronic circuit having a plurality of printed circuits positioned one below the other.