Autonomous sensor fish to support advanced hydropower development

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10935536-B2
Application number	US-201816056185-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 6, 2018
Priority date	Sep 30, 2015
Publication date	Mar 2, 2021
Grant date	Mar 2, 2021

Abstract

An improved sensor fish with robust design and enhanced measurement capabilities. This sensor fish contains sensors for acceleration, rotation, magnetic field intensity, pressure, and temperature. A low-power microcontroller collects data from the sensors and stores up to 5 minutes of data on a non-volatile flash memory. A rechargeable battery supplies power to the sensor fish. A recovery system helps locating sensor fish. The package, when ready for use is nearly neutrally buoyant and thus mimics the behavior of an actual fish.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for collecting environmental data using a sensor fish, the method comprising:
providing a sensor fish comprising a power source, processing circuitry including a microcontroller, at least one weight for ballast releasably coupled to the sensor fish with a current severable line;
dispatching the sensor fish into an environment to collect environmental data;
collecting environmental data with the sensor fish using the processing circuitry; and
actuating the microcontroller to generate a current to sever the current severable line releasing the at least one weight and causing the sensor fish to become more buoyant.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising downloading data from the microcontroller and erasing a portion of memory of said microcontroller to prepare said microcontroller for a subsequent deployment.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the sensor fish to detect at least one parameter comprising one or more of orientation, acceleration, rotational velocity, magnetic field intensity, pressure, and/or external temperature.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor fish is nearly neutrally buoyant prior to actuation.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising sampling data using the sensor fish at up to 8,192 Hz for a preselected programmable period of time.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising triggering an alarm to facilitate identification and location of the sensor fish.

7. The method of claim 1 furthering comprising identifying the sensor fish using an LED.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying the sensor fish using a radio frequency (RF) beacon.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising selectively activating or deactivating the microcontroller by a magnetic field.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising downloading data collected during use and/or charging a battery of the sensor fish via docking station.

Assignees

• Battelle Memorial Institute

Inventors

• Deng Z Daniel
• Myjak Mitchell J
• Lu Jun
• Martinez Jayson J
• Tian Chuan
• Carlson Thomas J
• Morris Scott J
• Hou Hongfei

Classifications

• Y02A40/60

  Ecological corridors or buffer zones · CPC title

• G01N33/1886 Primary

  using probes, e.g. submersible probes, buoys · CPC title

• E02B2201/00

  Devices, constructional details or methods of hydraulic engineering not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G01C13/002

  Measuring the movement of open water · CPC title

• E02B1/00

  Equipment or apparatus for, or methods of, general hydraulic engineering {, e.g. protection of constructions against ice-strains (protection of offshore constructions against ice-loads E02B17/0021; ice-structures as artificial islands E02B17/028)} · CPC title