Aircraft Water Source Detection and Volume Estimation for Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial firefighting aircraft lack efficient systems to autonomously detect available water sources and redirect to refilling locations, wasting vital time and resources.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using sensor-based data to estimate water volume, determine suitable locations for refilling, and translate this information into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water, incorporating features like light detection and ranging sensors and a snorkel-based water retrieving apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If aerial firefighting aircraft rely on manual detection and navigation to water sources, then pilots can exercise judgment and adaptability, but valuable time is lost in detecting water and redirecting the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of water sources using sensors (LIDAR, optical, infrared) before the aircraft needs to refill. By continuously scanning and identifying potential water locations in advance, the system prepares navigation data and volume estimates so that when refilling is needed, the aircraft can immediately redirect to a pre-identified suitable location, minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
An automated water detection and navigation system acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the environment. This intermediary process receives sensor data, processes it to determine water volume and location, and translates it into pilot inputs or autonomous navigation commands, bridging the gap between manual control and automated decision-making to reduce time loss.
2Loss of time
If aircraft are equipped with automated water detection systems, then time is saved in detecting water and redirecting, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-functional sensors that can detect water presence, estimate volume, determine location, and assess suitability for refilling using the same hardware platform. The LIDAR, optical, and infrared sensors serve multiple purposes including water detection, terrain mapping, and fire location, reducing the need for dedicated specialized equipment and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes and analyzes sensor data autonomously using onboard processors and algorithms to determine water volume and location without requiring external support systems. The automated translation of sensor data into navigation inputs or pilot cues creates a self-contained detection-to-navigation pipeline, reducing the need for additional complex external equipment.
3Measurement precision
If the aircraft uses sensor-based data to estimate water volume, then accurate water source selection is achieved, but the measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses LIDAR to create three-dimensional point cloud representations of water bodies, adding vertical depth information to traditional two-dimensional optical imaging. By measuring time-of-flight of laser pulses and analyzing depth variations across the water surface, the system calculates volume by integrating depth data over the water surface area, transforming a difficult 3D measurement problem into a series of 1D depth measurements along multiple scan lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple sensing modalities (LIDAR, optical, infrared) that detect different physical parameters of water such as reflectivity, temperature, and depth. By changing the detection parameter from simple presence detection to multi-parameter measurement, the system achieves accurate volume estimation through algorithms that correlate these different parameters with water characteristics and volume.
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
Enables autonomous detection and navigation to suitable water sources, optimizing flight paths and reducing time spent refilling, thereby enhancing firefighting efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor-based data is generated by a light detection and ranging-based sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a computer-implemented method for water volume estimation includes detecting water based at least in part on sensor-based data; determining a volume of water based at least in part on the sensor-based data; determining a location at the water for an aircraft to retrieve water via a water retrieving apparatus; and translating the location of the water into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water.