Apparatus for collecting particulate samples

US5220825A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Washington · US

Inventors

• Michael L. Peterson · Lino Lakes, US
• Peter J. Hernes · Seattle, US
• David Thoreson · Seattle, US
• John I. Hedges · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 1991
• Grant date: Jun 22, 1993
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2001/2223
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Multi-chamber devices of collecting particles in aquatic environments including an upper chamber serving as a particle interceptor chamber, a lower chamber serving as a particle accumulator chamber, and a valve assembly interposed between the upper and lower chambers are disclosed. Upon rotation of an indented valve body, particles in the upper chamber are transferred to the lower chamber and preserved for analysis. The valve assembly substantially reduces the presence of living organisms in particle samples and enhances the accuracy of passive vertical particle flux sampling techniques. A plurality of sample collection chambers may be provided to facilitate temporal resolution of vertical particle flux measurements during a single deployment period.