Detector buoy for oil floating on water - carries several oil sensors which are used successively, and transmits alarm signal via antenna if oil is detected

摘要

The buoy carries a circular row of tubular detectors (D), each with a hinged base which is normally closed. An automatic electronic circuit (AEC) on the buoy opens one base, so a sensor film is lowered out of one tube (D) into the water. If a floating hydrocarbon or other pollutant is present, the sensor film fractures, and a radio antenna on the buoy transmits an alarm signal (AS).S A short time after signal (AS), the AEC opens the base on the next tube (D), so another sensor film is lowered into the water. This sequence is repeated automatically. The buoy can carry e.g. ten or twenty tubes (D).