초록

A probe for deployment in a fluid measures produces an output representative of a parameter associated with the fluid. The probe includes a density control system to control a density of the probe and a locating system to track a location of probe in the fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A probe for deployment in a fluid and for producing an output representative of a parameter associated with the fluid, the probe comprising: a submersible housing; a sensor carried by the submersible housing to sense the parameter and produce a sensor signal representat

The invention claimed is: 1. A probe for deployment in a fluid and for producing an output representative of a parameter associated with the fluid, the probe comprising: a submersible housing; a sensor carried by the submersible housing to sense the parameter and produce a sensor signal representative of the parameter; a density control system carried by the submersible housing for altering a density of the probe while the probe is deployed in the fluid; a data processor in communication with the sensor to produce an output as a function of the sensor signal; output circuitry in communication with the data processor; and a flexible transmission line having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the submersible housing and in communication with the output circuitry and the second end for connecting to a remote process system, wherein the flexible transmission line is part of a process control loop. 2. The probe of claim 1, wherein the density control system comprises a ballast system. 3. The probe of claim 2, wherein the ballast system comprises releasable weights mounted to the submersible housing. 4. The probe of claim 3, wherein the weights are attached to a first end of a tether and the submersible housing is attached to a second end of the tether. 5. The probe of claim 1, wherein the density control system comprises an inflatable bladder. 6. The probe of claim 5, wherein a compressed air source is connected to the inflatable bladder. 7. The probe of claim 6, wherein the flexible transmission line includes an air channel to deliver compressed air from the first end of the transmission line to the inflatable bladder. 8. The probe of claim 1, wherein a plurality of sensors are carried by the submersible housing to sense a plurality of parameters. 9. The probe of claim 1, wherein the submersible housing is spherical. 10. The probe of claim 1, and further comprising: a locating system in communication with the data processor. 11. The probe of claim 10, wherein the locating system comprises an accelerometer. 12. A probe for deployment in a fluid and for producing an output representative of a parameter associated with the fluid, the probe comprising: a submersible housing; a sensor carried by the submersible housing to sense the parameter and produce a sensor signal representative of the parameter; a density control system carried by the submersible housing for altering a density of the probe while the probe is deployed in the fluid; a data processor in communication with the sensor to produce an output as a function of the sensor signal; output circuitry in communication with the data processor; and a flexible transmission line having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the submersible housing and in communication with the output circuitry and the second end for connecting to a remote process system; and a bottom-detect projection for piercing sediment located at a bottom of the fluid. 13. The probe of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer. 14. A probe for deployment in a fluid and for producing an output representative of a parameter associated with the fluid, the probe comprising: a submersible housing; a sensor carried by the submersible housing to sense the parameter and produce a sensor signal representative of the parameter; a density control system carried by the submersible housing for altering a density of the probe; a data processor in communication with the sensor to produce an output as a function of the sensor signal; output circuitry in communication with the data processor; and a flexible transmission line having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the submersible housing and in communication with the output circuitry and the second end for connecting to a remote process system, wherein the flexible transmission line is part of a process control loop. 15. The probe of claim 14, wherein a plurality of sensors are carried by the submersible housing to sense a plurality of parameters. 16. The probe of claim 14, wherein the submersible housing is spherical. 17. The probe of claim 14, and further comprising: a locating system in communication with the data processor. 18. The probe of claim 17, wherein the locating system comprises an accelerometer. 19. The probe of claim 14 and further comprising: a bottom-detect projection for piercing sediment located at a bottom of the fluid. 20. A probe for deployment in a fluid and for producing an output representative of a plurality of parameters associated with the fluid, the probe comprising: a submersible housing; a plurality of sensors carried by the submersible housing to sense the plurality of parameters and produce sensor signals representative of the parameters; a density control system carried by the submersible housing for altering a density of the probe; a data processor in communication with the sensor to produce an output as a function of the sensor signal; output circuitry in communication with the data processor; a flexible transmission line having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the submersible housing and in communication with the output circuitry and the second end for connecting to a remote process system; and a bottom-detect projection for piercing sediment located at a bottom of the fluid. 21. The probe of claim 20, wherein the submersible housing is spherical. 22. The probe of claim 20, wherein one of the plurality of sensors comprises an accelerometer. 23. A probe for deployment in fluid and for producing an output representative of a parameter associated with the fluid, the probe comprising: a submersible housing; a sensor carried by the submersible housing to sense the parameter and produce a sensor signal representative of the parameter; a density control system carried by the submersible housing for altering a density of the probe; a bottom-detect projection for piercing sediment located at the bottom of the fluids; a data processor in communication with the sensor to produce an output as a function of the sensor signal; output circuitry in communication with the data processor; and a flexible transmission line having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the submersible housing and in communication with the output circuitry and the second end for connecting to a remote process system. 24. The probe of claim 23, wherein the density control system comprises a ballast system. 25. The probe of claim 23, wherein the density control system comprises an inflatable bladder.