Aerial Utility Meter Read System Using Drone Carrying Case
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current utility meter reading systems are inefficient and labor-intensive, often requiring human personnel to read meters by foot or slow-moving vehicles, which can result in inaccessible readings and high manpower and pollution costs.
Innovation Solution
An aerial utility meter read system utilizing electric-powered drones equipped with a custom utility meter read equipment carrying case to securely attach wireless radio-based meter read equipment, enabling aerial and wireless readings of utility meters in urban or rural locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human personnel walk door to door to read meters, then access to meters is achieved, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level meter reading to aerial reading by deploying drones. This dimensional change allows the reading system to access meters from above, overcoming the limitation of ground-based personnel needing to physically approach each meter location, thereby increasing both access reliability and reading speed simultaneously
2Reliability
If slow moving combustion-powered vehicles are used for meter reading, then meter access is achieved, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical combustion-powered vehicle system with an electric drone system. This substitution eliminates the need for slow-moving ground vehicles, dramatically reducing reading time while maintaining the ability to access meters through aerial deployment
3Reliability
If human piloted fly-over meter readings are conducted, then aerial access is achieved, but manpower requirements increase and concentration demands are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous drone operation with automated meter reading capabilities. The drone system autonomously navigates to meter locations, positions itself for optimal reading, and executes the reading process without requiring constant human piloting attention, thereby reducing operational complexity and manpower requirements
4Device complexity
If conventional ground-based meter reading methods are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but pollution footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes combustion-powered ground vehicles with electric drones for meter reading operations. This replacement eliminates exhaust emissions and pollution associated with combustion engines, while the drone platform maintains operational simplicity through its compact, electric-powered design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces reading time by up to 75%, minimizes manpower requirements, and eliminates pollution by using electric drones, allowing a single operator to access and read meters in a fraction of the usual time while reducing the risk of accidents and fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
operable wireless radio-based utility meter read equipment used to conduct aerial utility meter reads
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial utility meter read system and a custom utility meter read equipment carrying case are disclosed. The custom utility meter read equipment carrying case is configured to attach to a drone while securely carrying operable wireless radio-based utility meter read equipment used to conduct aerial utility meter reads.