Self-contained conductivity concentration profiling system
Systems and methods are provided for developing a self-contained conductivity concentration profiler (CCP) system for standalone coastal and ocean deployment. A self-contained CCP system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can measure sediment concentration profiles and track instantaneous bed levels in sandy environments to enable better understanding of small-scale sediment transport processes in the coastal and nearshore marine environment. A self-contained CCP system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can support unmanned and standalone deployment configuration, allowing for operation in previously unattainable areas of interest in which small-scale sediment transport processes are important but poorly understood.
1. A system for conductivity concentration profiling, the system comprising:
a deployment mechanism configured to be lowered to a seafloor, wherein the lowered deployment mechanism contacts the seafloor; and
a conductivity concentration profiler (CCP) system coupled to the deployment mechanism, wherein the CCP system is configured to be detachable from the deployment mechanism, wherein the CCP system, once detached from the deployment mechanism, is not coupled to any other object, and wherein the CCP system comprises a probe located at a distal end of the CCP system, the probe being configured to measure sediment concentration in water around the deployment mechanism, wherein the CCP system comprises an adjustment mechanism allowing for vertical adjustment of the CCP system relative to the lowered deployment mechanism allowing a tip of the probe to maintain contact with the seafloor when deployed,
wherein the CCP system further comprises:
an enclosure coupled to the probe, wherein the enclosure comprises:
a probe side endcap coupled to the probe;
a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the probe side endcap, wherein the PCB comprises a controller configured to receive data regarding the sediment concentration from the probe and transmit the data for storage; and
a battery coupled to the PCB;
wherein the controller, independent of a cable connection external to the CCP system, controls the CCP system in a burst sampling mode to activate and to de-activate an active logging of measured data when the CCP system is deployed to minimize battery drain.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the deployment mechanism further comprises a back plate, and wherein the CCP system is configured to be coupled to the back plate via knurled securing knobs.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the back plate is coupled to a leg of the deployment mechanism.
4. The CCP system of claim 2 , wherein the enclosure further comprises:
a connector side endcap coupled to an end of the enclosure opposite the probe side endcap; and
a go plug coupled to the connector side endcap and to the battery, wherein the go plug is configured to power the battery without opening the enclosure.
5. The CCP system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a direct current (DC) to DC converter coupled to the go plug, to the PCB, and to the battery.
6. The CCP system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second CCP system coupled to the deployment mechanism.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller, independent of a cable connection external to the CPP system, controls the CCP system in the burst sampling mode to activate and to de-activate the active logging of measured data via an internal switch that is activated and de-activated via a shell script.