US 11,733,132 B1
Hands-free liquid sampling method and apparatus
Maverick James Raber, Stanley, NC (US); Jason Chadwick Green, Raleigh, NC (US); and Isaac John Medford, Canton, NC (US)
Assigned to Duke Energy Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Duke Energy Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/715,670.
Int. Cl. G01N 1/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/10 (2013.01) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A liquid sampling apparatus, comprising:
a frame configured to support at least one bailer, the at least one bailer comprising an elongate tubular housing configured to collect and store a liquid sample from a body of liquid, the frame comprising:
a base comprising at least one holder configured to support a bottom end of the at least one bailer;
an upper portion configured to releasably secure the at least one bailer to the frame;
at least one elongate member coupling the base and the upper portion in spaced-apart relation to each other; and
an elongate first member that extends between the base and the upper portion along an axial centerline of the frame; and
a weight movably secured to the frame, wherein the weight is configured to move between a retracted position and a downwardly extended position, wherein the weight in the downwardly extended position is configured to maintain the liquid sampling apparatus and the at least one bailer in a generally vertical orientation during liquid sample collection, wherein the weight is supported by an elongate second member that is telescopically associated with the first member.