Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Bug-Proof Probe Tech: Environmental Monitoring Solution

Publication ID: 24-11856939_0002_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Bug-Proof Probe Tech: Environmental Monitoring Solution,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856939_0002_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856939_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,939.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Smart cover bug deterrent,' focused on repelling insects from air data probes in the aerospace industry. However, this invention addresses a significant limitation by applying the core technology to entirely different industries: water quality monitoring and air quality monitoring in urban environments. The problem of aquatic insects and urban insects contaminating probes during sampling is solved by this invention.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the novel application of the smart cover technology to water and air quality monitoring, which was not originally considered. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address the specific problems of aquatic insects and urban insects in these industries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include using different types of insect repellents, such as electrically-actuated or porous liners, or integrating the smart cover with other sensing technologies to enhance data collection. Variations of the invention could also be applied to other industries, such as agricultural monitoring or environmental monitoring.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This invention has significant commercial potential in the water quality monitoring and air quality monitoring industries, where accurate and reliable data collection is critical. The target market includes government agencies, research institutions, and private companies involved in environmental monitoring and pollution control.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01M29/34
A A01 A01M29/12
G G01 G01L19/147
G G01 G01P5/165
G G01 G01P13/025

Field of Art

Environmental sensing and monitoring technologies, specifically probe-based sampling systems for air and water quality assessment, with expertise in sensor design, insect mitigation strategies, and environmental measurement techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A technical professional with advanced engineering or scientific training, possessing knowledge of sensor design, fluid dynamics, environmental monitoring techniques, and familiarity with probe-based sampling systems across aerospace, marine, and urban environmental contexts

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental technical similarity between air data probe insect mitigation and water/air quality sampling probe protection, understanding that the core mechanism of insect repellent reservoir and protective cover can be readily adapted across different sensing environments with predictable results. The technical principles of preventing insect interference with sensor openings are consistent across different probe applications, making the extension to water and air quality monitoring a straightforward design adaptation.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Cover with insect repellent reservoir positioned on probe head
PTD Variation
Applying the cover design to water-sampling probes with aquatic insect prevention
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of transferring protective mechanism across similar technical domains, with predictable insect mitigation results
Source Patent Element
Sponge-based reservoir for holding insect repellent
PTD Variation
Integrating sensor detection capabilities to monitor insect-induced environmental changes
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable enhancement of existing technology by adding complementary sensing functionality
Source Patent Element
Electrically-actuated repellent delivery system
PTD Variation
Adapting electrical actuation for urban and marine environmental monitoring probes
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite set of known actuation methods, representing a standard design choice for repellent distribution
Source Patent Element
Probe head with protective sleeve configuration
PTD Variation
Extending sleeve design to different environmental sampling contexts
Obviousness Reasoning
Recognized design principle of modular probe protection applicable across sensing domains
Source Patent Element
Method of preventing insect entry into probe opening
PTD Variation
Implementing repellent strategies for different environmental sampling scenarios
Obviousness Reasoning
Well-understood technical problem with limited solution set, making variations obvious to a skilled practitioner
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11856939's teachings, the present disclosure demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations in environmental probe design and insect mitigation strategies obvious and predictable extensions of existing technological approaches, thereby rendering potential derivative claims obvious and non-patentable under standard obviousness analysis.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,939
TitleSmart cover bug deterrent
Assignee(s)Rosemount Aerospace Inc.