Underwater monitoring systems and processes

Abstract

Embodiments of an underwater monitoring system are provided. In one embodiment, the system has an anchor stake connected to a vented pipe. The pipe has an interior and an exterior and is configured to house a sensor in the interior. The vents on the vented pipe are configured to exchange water between the interior and the exterior while protecting any interior sensors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An underwater monitoring system comprising:
 a central anchor stake pipe;   a first vented pipe configured to house a sensor wherein said first vented pipe is connected to the central anchor stake pipe on a first side; and   a second vented pipe configured to house a second sensor wherein said second vented pipe is connected to the central anchor stake pipe on a second side;   wherein the central anchor stake pipe, the first vented pipe, and the second vented pipe are aligned substantially parallel to each other in substantially the same plane and wherein the central anchor stake pipe, the first vented pipe, and the second vented pipe are spaced sufficiently apart to facilitate water circulation through the first vented pipe and the second vented pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vented pipe comprises a top plate configured to hold the sensor within the first vented pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the second vented pipe comprises a second top plate configured to hold the second sensor within the second vented pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vented pipe comprises a marine cleat. 
     
     
         5 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the second vented pipe comprises a marine cleat. 
     
     
         6 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vented pipe, the central anchor stake pipe, and the second vented pipe are connected with a substantially perpendicular connecting mechanism that extends through the first vented pipe, through the central anchor stake pipe, and through the second vented pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially perpendicular connecting mechanism is attached to the first vented pipe, the central anchor stake pipe, and the second vented pipe with a bolt and a corresponding toothed, recessed T-nut. 
     
     
         8 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 6 , further comprising a second substantially perpendicular connecting mechanism that extends through the first vented pipe, through the central anchor stake pipe, and through the second vented pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 8 , wherein the substantially perpendicular connecting mechanism that extends through the first vented pipe, through the central anchor stake pipe, and through the second vented pipe is near the top of the underwater monitoring system and the second substantially perpendicular connecting mechanism is near the bottom of the underwater monitoring system. 
     
     
         10 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vented pipe, the central anchor stake pipe, the second vented pipe, or a combination thereof is comprised of PVC. 
     
     
         11 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the central anchor stake pipe comprises opposing apertures of sufficient size to insert an installation handle. 
     
     
         12 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vented pipe comprises a first bottom plate with a drainage opening, the second vented pipe comprises a second bottom plate with a second drainage opening, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vented pipe comprises a top plate comprising a fastener for holding a line to attach the sensor within the first vented pipe, wherein the second vented pipe comprises a top plate comprising a fastener for holding a line to attach the sensor within the second vented pipe, or wherein the central anchor stake pipe comprises a top plate comprising a fastener for holding a line to attach the sensor within the central anchor stake pipe, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the top plates comprises a handle. 
     
     
         15 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a float for determining location of the underwater monitoring system. 
     
     
         17 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the central anchor stake is configured to house an interior sensor. 
     
     
         18 . An underwater monitoring system comprising:
 an anchor stake connected to a vented pipe having an interior and an exterior wherein the vented pipe is configured to house an interior sensor and wherein the vents on the vented pipe are configured to exchange water between the interior and the exterior while protecting the interior sensor.   
     
     
         19 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 18 , wherein the vented pipe comprises a top plate comprising a fastener for holding a line to attach the sensor and a bottom plate with a drainage opening. 
     
     
         20 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 18 , further comprising one or more marine cleats. 
     
     
         21 . The underwater monitoring system of  claim 18 , further comprising a second vented pipe to house a second interior sensor wherein said second vented pipe is attached to the anchor stake, is spaced apart from the first vented pipe to facilitate water exchange, and is substantially parallel with the first vented pipe.