Aquatic Vehicle Suction System for AIS Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling aquatic invasive plant species (AIS) are inefficient, costly, and environmentally damaging, failing to effectively reduce infestation rates or slow reproduction, leading to ecosystem degradation and economic losses.
Innovation Solution
A semi-autonomous aquatic vehicle equipped with an underwater suction system, AI, and machine learning, which remotely collects AIS, minimizing human labor and environmental impact, while providing valuable data for ecosystem health monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If chemical treatments are used to control AIS, then initial cost is low and application is simple, but chemical resistant strains develop over time and environmental damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical treatments with a mechanical suction system that physically removes AIS from the water column. The robotic vehicle equipped with suction apparatus extracts invasive plants through mechanical means, avoiding chemical applications entirely while achieving effective control without developing resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs AI and machine learning components that enable the vehicle to autonomously identify, locate, and remove AIS. The machine learning algorithms continuously improve detection accuracy and removal efficiency, creating a self-optimizing system that adapts to different AIS species and environmental conditions without human intervention.
2Productivity
If manual labor methods are used to remove AIS, then direct physical removal is achieved, but human labor cost and time consumption are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human divers and manual labor with an autonomous robotic vehicle that performs AIS removal operations. The robotic system with automated suction apparatus operates continuously without fatigue, significantly increasing removal rates while eliminating human labor costs and reducing operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an autonomous robotic vehicle as an intermediary between human operators and the AIS removal task. The vehicle acts as a mediator that executes the removal operations autonomously using onboard sensors, AI processing, and mechanical suction systems, freeing human operators from direct involvement in the labor-intensive removal process.
3Productivity
If cutting methods are used to control AIS, then temporary reduction is achieved, but root systems and fragments remain causing regrowth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a suction-based extraction system that completely removes AIS including roots, stems, and fragments from the water column. The robotic vehicle's suction apparatus extracts entire plant structures and reproductive fragments, preventing regrowth by removing all viable biological material rather than merely cutting visible portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the challenge of AIS fragmentation (which normally promotes regrowth) into an opportunity for complete removal. By using suction to extract even small fragments and root pieces that would otherwise survive cutting operations, the system turns potential regrowth material into removed biomass, ensuring long-term control.
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
The vehicle efficiently removes AIS at a lower cost and with less environmental disruption than traditional methods, while generating data that aids in understanding and managing freshwater ecosystems.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle itself contains an underwater suction system that draws the weeds into a proprietary funnel
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar equipped, teleoperated robotic lake or aquatic cleaning apparatus that removes debris and biomass such as aquatic invasive species (AIS) from bodies of water by way of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and autonomous dump barges. The remotely operated vehicle manipulates the proprietary tool/system to extract weed, root masses and fragments at prolific rates. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning allows for an autonomous operation and maximizes the amount of waste that is removed from aquatic environments relative to other approaches and democratizes data regarding the production and removal of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and the conditions of bodies of water.