Directed Energy Vegetation Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vegetation management systems for routes such as paths, tracks, and roads are time and labor intensive, and existing camera systems fail to provide actionable information for effective vegetation control.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an imaging device to capture image data and a controller to analyze vegetation features, with a directed energy system that directs energy beams based on the analysis to manage vegetation, taking into account environmental information and operator input to ensure safe and targeted application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual vegetation management is used, then labor flexibility is maintained, but time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical vegetation removal with a directed energy system (laser) that automatically targets and removes vegetation. The system uses imaging devices to detect vegetation and a controller to direct energy beams, substituting human labor with an automated optical-mechanical system that operates continuously without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service vegetation management by automatically detecting, analyzing, and removing vegetation without human intervention. The imaging device continuously monitors the environment, the controller processes the data to identify vegetation targets, and the directed energy system autonomously eliminates the detected vegetation, creating a closed-loop self-managing system.
2Loss of information
If camera systems are used to capture vegetation information, then data collection is improved, but the information remains non-actionable and does not lead to effective vegetation control
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where imaging devices continuously capture vegetation data, the controller analyzes this information to identify targets, and the directed energy system responds by removing the detected vegetation. The system constantly monitors and adjusts its operation based on real-time feedback from the environment, ensuring that captured information directly translates into actionable vegetation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device performs preliminary detection and identification of vegetation before the directed energy system acts. The controller pre-processes the image data to calculate optimal energy beam parameters (power, duration, target location) before activation, ensuring that when the directed energy system operates, it immediately executes precise vegetation removal based on预先 prepared control parameters.
3Manufacturing precision
If directed energy beams are applied to vegetation, then vegetation control precision is improved, but safety risks to people and equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the directed energy beam parameters (power, duration, focal point) based on real-time analysis of vegetation characteristics, distance, and environmental conditions. The controller continuously modifies beam properties to achieve precise vegetation removal while minimizing collateral effects, adapting the energy application to match the specific target and surrounding context.
Solution Approach 2:
The directed energy system applies energy locally and selectively to identified vegetation targets rather than broad-area treatment. The imaging device precisely locates vegetation, and the controller directs energy beams only to those specific locations with calculated parameters, ensuring that the harmful energy effect is concentrated exactly where needed while leaving surrounding areas unaffected.
4Ease of operation
If automated vegetation control systems are implemented, then labor requirements are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single unified platform: the imaging device serves both as a detection sensor and a measurement tool, the controller performs both data processing and beam parameter calculation, and the directed energy system provides both vegetation removal and safety monitoring. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining comprehensive vegetation management capabilities.
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 system enables efficient and targeted vegetation control, reducing manual labor and improving safety by using directed energy beams controlled by environmental and image data analysis, ensuring effective management of vegetation growth without harming people or equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a directed energy system to direct one or more directed energy beams toward the target vegetation
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include an imaging device to obtain image data from a field of view outside of a vehicle. A controller may analyze the image data and identify one or more vegetation features of a target vegetation within the field of view. The vegetation features may be a type, a quantity, a distance, and/or a size of vegetation. A directed energy system may direct one or more directed energy beams toward the target vegetation responsive to the controller identifying the one or more vegetation features. A method may include analyzing image data from a field of view adjacent to a vehicle and determining one or more vegetation features of target vegetation within the field of view to be removed. The method may include directing a directed energy beam(s) onto the target vegetation. The directed energy beam(s) may be controlled based in part on the one or more vegetation features.