Anchoring-Free Water Sensor Assembly for Wave and Current Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor technologies for determining water conditions in large bodies of water, such as oceans, are expensive, difficult to maintain, pose hazards, provide inconsistent measurements, and lack real-time data capabilities due to anchoring or drifting issues, leading to inefficiencies in navigation and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
Deployable sensor assemblies with autonomous propulsion and power systems that maintain a predetermined position, collect high-bandwidth data, and communicate frequently, utilizing a swarm algorithm for redundancy and data fusion to predict waves and currents, supported by hydroturbines and solar panels for energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If anchored sensors are used to determine water conditions, then measurement location stability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the anchoring system from the sensor assembly, extracting the problematic component that caused complexity and maintenance issues. The sensor assembly floats freely on water vehicles without requiring anchoring mechanisms, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining measurement capability through motion compensation algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical anchoring system with an electronic/software-based solution. Instead of physically securing the sensor to a location, the system uses GPS tracking and motion compensation algorithms to maintain measurement accuracy, substituting mechanical complexity with computational methods.
2Device complexity
If free drifting sensors are deployed, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement consistency deteriorates due to unpredictable movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through GPS tracking and motion sensing that continuously monitors the sensor assembly's position and movement. This feedback is fed into motion compensation algorithms that adjust measurements in real-time, maintaining consistency despite the free-drifting motion of water vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tracking and recording of motion data before final measurements are taken. By continuously monitoring position and movement patterns in advance, the system can compensate for motion effects during data processing, ensuring measurement consistency without restricting natural drift.
3Loss of information
If repeated deployment of free drifting sensors is performed, then measurement coverage is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor assembly universal by designing it to be deployed on various types of water vehicles (boats, ships, drones) without modification. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor design to serve multiple deployment scenarios, eliminating the need for repeated custom deployments and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system embraces dynamic deployment rather than static positioning. The sensor assembly adapts to different vehicle motions and deployment scenarios in real-time, allowing flexible, one-time deployments that maintain measurement quality across varying conditions, eliminating the need for repeated standardized deployments.
4Use of energy by moving object
If low bandwidth communication is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but information availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic communication where sensor data is transmitted at optimized intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate information availability by sending data at strategically determined moments when bandwidth is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters such as transmission power, data rate, and frequency based on operational conditions. This allows the system to optimize the balance between energy consumption and information availability, using higher bandwidth when critical and lower bandwidth during routine operation.
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 accurate, real-time water condition monitoring, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by optimizing navigation routes and providing continuous data for wave and current predictions.
Implementation Method 1
supported by hydroturbines and solar panels for energy
Implementation Method 2
supported by hydroturbines and solar panels for energy
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly for use in a body of water is provided. The sensor assembly can be deployed to a predetermined location to measure water parameters to aid in wave and current prediction. A plurality of sensor assemblies can form a measurement swarm, where each sensor assembly measures water and air parameters and communicates with the other sensor assemblies. The sensor assemblies can be controlled by a control system running a swarm algorithm and providing route planning.