Modular safety and monitoring system for waterways, bridges and riverbanks

Abstract

(Main claim) Modular safety and monitoring system for watercourses, comprising at least one floating buoy module, an optional shore or bottom module, and a bridge-integrated power module, wherein the buoy module includes optical and acoustic signaling units, a wireless communication unit, an autonomous power supply system, at least one sensor for detecting water levels or hazardous events, and optionally a camera unit with day and night operation, wherein the buoy module additionally includes infrared light sources, a night light, temperature sensors, and a manually operated alarm button for locally triggering warning messages, and wherein the bridge-integrated power module includes a water-flow-driven generator, and the modules can communicate with each other and transmit warning or monitoring signals to external services.

Description

1. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a modular safety, monitoring and warning system for rivers, streams, lakes, coastal zones and in particular for bridges and crossings over watercourses.

[0002] The system includes floating buoy modules, fixed shore modules, and bridge-integrated energy and monitoring units.

[0003] It serves to detect floods early, prevent accidents, support rescue operations, and monitor illegal activities in water areas. 2. State of the art

[0004] Known systems for monitoring water levels usually consist of individual sensors, level gauges, or cameras.

[0005] These systems are: • not modular, • not autonomous, • not integrated into bridges, • not combined with rescue equipment • not suitable for small and medium-sized watercourses • not designed as a public safety instrument.

[0006] Floating buoys are typically used for navigation or marking, but not as combined safety, power and monitoring units.

[0007] An integrated system that combines autonomous energy generation, monitoring, signaling, rescue equipment and data transmission in a modular design is not known in the prior art. 3. Object of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a cost-effective, autonomous and modular security system that: • reacted early to floods and dangerous water levels, • Detects and prevents accidents on bridges and riverbanks, • Supports rescue operations, • detects illegal activities such as poaching or unauthorized interference, • is autonomously supplied with energy, • communicated with emergency services, • can be easily installed and maintained, • can be standardized as a public safety instrument. 4. Solution to the task

[0009] The task is solved by a system consisting of several functional modules: 4.1 Floating buoy module

[0010] The floating buoy module comprises a buoyant housing with integrated visual signaling units in the form of LED lights, as well as acoustic signaling units such as sirens and loudspeakers. Furthermore, the module features sensors for measuring water level, current, movement, and temperature, and can include a camera unit with day / night operation, an infrared light source, and a separate night light. The buoy module has mounts for lifebuoys or lifelines and is equipped with an autonomous power supply system, for example, via solar power or an external power supply line. It also features a wireless communication unit that enables data transmission via LoRa, GSM, or LTE, as well as a manually operated alarm button for locally triggering warnings. 4.2 Shore or bottom module

[0011] This module can be permanently installed and includes: • Sensors for measuring level, pressure or flow, • Cameras for monitoring shoreline areas, • Signal units, • Energy supply units. 4.3 Bridge module

[0012] The bridge module includes: • a water-powered mini-generator with propeller for energy generation from the current, • a camera unit for monitoring the bridge area, • Lighting units below the bridge, • a communication interface to the buoy modules, • optionally an emergency button for passers-by. 4.4 Central Data and Communication Structure

[0013] The system transmits data to: • Emergency services, • Fire department, • Police, • municipal control centers, • Nature conservation or fisheries supervision.

[0014] Automatic alarms can be triggered, e.g.: • in case of rapid water rise, • upon detection of a person in the water, • in illegal activities, • in case of technical malfunctions. 4.5 Mechanical water level measuring module with coil and float

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the system comprises a mechanical water level measuring module consisting of: • a swimmer floating on the surface of the water, • a flexible connection (e.g. rope or strap) between the float and a spool, • a spool or drum that is rotatably mounted, • a displacement or angle sensor (e.g. potentiometer, encoder or switching contacts) that is coupled to the coil axis.

[0016] As the water level rises, the float lifts and the coil unwinds the connection. The rotational movement of the coil is converted into an electrical signal that corresponds to the current water level.

[0017] This solution enables cost-effective, robust and easily maintainable measurement of the water level without complex electronic sensors. 5. Advantages of the invention

[0018] The system offers the following advantages: • Autonomy: Energy generation through water flow or solar power. • Modularity: Adaptable to different bodies of water and hazard zones. • Low costs: Local manufacturing and easy maintenance. • Increased safety: Rescue equipment is available directly at the buoy. • Early warning: Automatic signals in case of flooding or danger. • Surveillance: Cameras document events and support emergency services. • Integration: Connection with bridges, riverbanks and emergency services. • Standardizability: Can be introduced as a mandatory component of new bridges. 6. Examples of Implementation 6.1 Example 1: Buoy with solar power supply

[0019] A buoy with LED signal, siren, camera and solar cell will be installed in a section of the river.

[0020] As the water level rises, it automatically sends warning signals and informs the control center. 6.2 Example 2: Bridge module with water generator

[0021] A propeller generator is mounted under a bridge to supply power to the buoys and cameras.

[0022] The camera monitors the bridge area and detects accidents or unauthorized activities. 6.3 Example 3: Lifebuoy

[0023] A buoy carries two to three lifebuoys.

[0024] If the buoy falls into the water, it is activated by motion sensors and sends an emergency signal. 6.4 Example 4: Integrated System

[0025] Several buoys and a bridge module work together.

[0026] Data will be transmitted to the fire department and police.

[0027] A drone system can be activated automatically. 6.5 Example 5: Buoy with coil float water level measurement

[0028] In a section of the river approximately 20 km long, several buoys with a mechanical water level measuring module are deployed.

[0029] Each buoy is connected via a coil fixed to the riverbed or bank to a float that floats on the water's surface.

[0030] As the water level rises, the connection is unwound from the coil, and a displacement sensor attached to the coil axis detects the rotational movement.

[0031] The water level determined in this way is transmitted to a central control center via a radio module (e.g. LoRa or GSM).

[0032] By distributing several such buoys along the river course, the course of flood waves can be monitored in real time and assessed early on. Reference symbol list (Fig. 2) 1 buoy housing 2 surveillance cameras 3 solar panels 4 signal light lamps 5 speakers 6 coils for level control 7. Coil sensor 8 rescue hoses 9 water level sensors 10. Cord for ground anchoring 11 anchors 12 Infrared light 13 Night lamp 14 Water level

Claims

[1] (Main claim) Modular safety and monitoring system for watercourses, comprising at least one floating buoy module, an optional shore or bottom module and a bridge-integrated power module, wherein the buoy module has optical and acoustic signaling units, a wireless communication unit, an autonomous power supply system, at least one sensor for detecting the water level or hazardous events and optionally a camera unit with day and night operation, wherein the buoy module additionally includes infrared light sources, a night light, temperature sensors and a manually operated alarm button for local triggering of warning messages and wherein the bridge-integrated power module includes a water flow-driven generator and the modules can communicate with each other and transmit warning or monitoring signals to external services. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by, that the water level is detected by a mechanical measuring module with a float and a rotatably mounted winding drum, wherein the rotational movement of the drum is converted into an electrical signal by a displacement or angle sensor, and wherein the measuring module can additionally be combined with temperature sensors and an infrared light source for improved detection of environmental conditions. [3] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the buoy module includes loudspeakers and sirens that can be activated automatically or via a manually operated alarm button. [4] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the buoy module includes a night light and an infrared light source to support nighttime monitoring and rescue operations. [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the buoy module has at least one temperature sensor for measuring the water or ambient temperature. [6] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that data transmission takes place via LoRaWAN, GSM, LTE or another wireless network. [7] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the buoy module includes brackets for lifebuoys or lifelines. [8] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several buoy modules are distributed along a river course to record the temporal progression of water level and current. [9] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the system is set up to activate external devices such as drones, rescue units or other remotely controllable resources and can transmit appropriate alarm or control commands automatically or manually. [10] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is designed as standard safety equipment for bridges, critical shoreline areas, waterways or flood-prone areas and enables continuous monitoring, warning and event recording.

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