초록

A freeze resistant buoy system includes a tail-tube buoy having a thermally insulated section disposed predominantly above a waterline, and a thermo-siphon disposed predominantly below the waterline.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A freeze resistant buoy system comprising a tail-tube buoy having: an upper thermally insulated section disposed predominantly above a waterline region, said buoy further comprising; a lower thermosiphon section disposed predominantly below said waterline region and having a

What is claimed is: 1. A freeze resistant buoy system comprising a tail-tube buoy having: an upper thermally insulated section disposed predominantly above a waterline region, said buoy further comprising; a lower thermosiphon section disposed predominantly below said waterline region and having a bottom, wherein said lower thermosiphon section is further comprised of an outer shell and inner shell having a hollow space with heat transfer fluid therebetween; and wherein said lower thermosiphon section is configured to transfer heat from the bottom to the waterline region. 2. A freeze resistant buoy system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said thermo-siphon comprises a porous heat-exchange material. 3. A freeze resistant buoy system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said porous heat-exchange material comprises graphite foam. 4. A freeze resistant buoy system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising stabilizing collar attached to the housing. 5. A freeze resistant buoy system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said stabilizing collar is located at least proximate to an interface between said lower section and said upper section. 6. A freeze resistant buoy system comprising a tail-tube buoy having: an upper thermally insulated section disposed predominantly above a waterline region, said buoy further comprising; a lower thermosiphon section disposed predominantly below said waterline region and having a bottom, wherein said lower thermosiphon section is further comprised of an outer shell and inner shell having a hollow space with heat transfer fluid therebetween; wherein said lower thermosiphon section is configured to transfer heat from the bottom to the waterline region; and a system housed within the buoy system for collecting and analyzing samples. 7. A freeze resistant buoy system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said system further comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of mechanical, chemical, biological, electrical, electronic, sonic, and optical devices. 8. A freeze resistant buoy system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said system further comprises: a detector for detecting at least one toxic agent in a water sample; and introducing means for introducing a water sample into said detector and discharging said water sample from said detector. 9. A device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said detector further comprises a fluorometer for measuring photosynthetic activity of naturally occurring, indigenous photosynthetic organisms drawn into said detector system. 10. A device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said detector further comprises an electronics package that analyzes raw data from said detector and emits a signal indicating the presence of at least one toxic agent in said water. 11. A device in accordance with claim 8 that can wherein said device is configured as a component of an integrated data highway to which signal from said detector can provide the location and time of the introduction of at least one toxic agent in said water.