Platform for suspended sensor stabilization

Abstract

A sensor stabilization platform and method for installation in an enclosure is described, wherein the platform can be lowered into the enclosure from the enclosure's entry way (without requiring a person to enter the enclosure) and properly oriented to provide the structural support/securing capabilities needed for a sensor that is “sensing” the material at the bottom of the enclosure. The securing platform is weighted or configured to rest (without movement) at the bottom of the enclosure floor or manhole, and sensors can be lowered into the platform's receptacle(s), etc. The platform may be configured to be foldable, allowing it to be compact and pass through narrow entry ways.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor stabilization platform for placement at the bottom of a vertical enclosure, comprising:
 a receptacle with a securing mechanism to secure a sensor inserted into the receptacle, the receptacle configured to allow the inserted sensor to operate without interference from the receptacle;   a plurality of substantially vertical leg members, at least a top portion of one of the plurality of leg members being coupled to the receptacle supporting the receptacle, the plurality of leg members forming an opening beneath the receptacle;   at least one height adjuster coupled to at least one of the plurality of leg members, allowing leveling of the platform; and   a ballast attached to the platform to prevent movement of the platform when finally resting at the bottom of the vertical enclosure, wherein the platform is constructed from an environmentally resistant material.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling of the at least one of the plurality of leg members to the receptacle is a pivot, the pivot automatically and fully expanding the pivot-coupled elements into a deployed state when released from a non-deployed state, wherein the deployed state is larger in size than the non-deployed state. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot is opened by a spring or by gravity. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ballasting mechanism is one of at least sand, concrete, or stone inserted into at least one of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is secured utilizing a magnetic force. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide above the receptacle, to assist in guiding a sensor to be secured by the securing mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of legs is constructed of PVC and is has a length that is between eight inches and four feet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a power generator, an ultrasonic level sensor, float/tilt sensor, radar level sensor, optical/IR level sensor, gas monitoring sensor, chemical sensor, particulate sensor, water quality monitoring sensor, radiation monitoring sensor, pressure sensor, and electrical current/voltage sensor, inserted into the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a communications cable connected to a top portion of the sensor and suspended above the sensor up to a top portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . A method of measuring a feature to be observed in an exposed channel at the bottom of an enclosure, the method comprising:
 lowering a sensor stabilization structure through an entry way of an enclosure, wherein the sensor stabilization structure comprises:
 a plurality of substantially vertical leg members;
 substantially horizontal support members, at least one of the support members coupled to a top portion of the leg members, wherein the support members form an upper portion of the platform, the plurality of leg members forming an opening beneath the upper portion of the platform; 
 a receptacle coupled to the upper portion of the platform, having a securing mechanism to secure a sensor inserted into the receptacle, the receptacle configured to allow the inserted sensor to operate without interference from the receptacle; 
 at least one height adjuster coupled to at least one of the plurality of leg members, allowing leveling of the upper portion of the platform; and 
 
 a weight attached to the platform; 
 resting the sensor stabilization structure at the bottom of the enclosure; and 
 adjusting the sensor stabilization structure to have the receptacle to be above the exposed channel. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the enclosure is a manhole. 
     
     
         12 . The method of claim,  10 , wherein the receptacle contains at least one of a power generator, an ultrasonic level sensor, float/tilt sensor, radar level sensor, optical/IR level sensor, gas monitoring sensor, chemical sensor, particulate sensor, water quality monitoring sensor, radiation monitoring sensor, pressure sensor, and electrical current/voltage sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising lowering a sensor into the receptacle from the entry of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the lowering of the sensor stabilization structure is accomplished by a supporting cable. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor is at least one of a power generator, an ultrasonic level sensor, float/tilt sensor, radar level sensor, optical/IR level sensor, gas monitoring sensor, chemical sensor, particulate sensor, water quality monitoring sensor, radiation monitoring sensor, pressure sensor, and electrical current/voltage sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising adjusting a height of the height adjuster. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the supporting cable is a communications cable connected to a top portion of the sensor and suspended above the sensor up to a top portion of the enclosure.