Autonomous Drone Dewatering for Flooded Building Interiors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively and timely address moisture-related damage in buildings during emergencies, such as floods, leading to potential long-term structural damage and health hazards due to delayed clean-up efforts.
Innovation Solution
Deployment of autonomous or semi-autonomous drones equipped with dewatering devices and sensors to detect and reduce moisture levels in buildings, including agitation and vacuuming of water and mud, guided by an onboard computing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional manual dewatering systems are used, then human operators can control the process, but the response time is delayed and access to buildings may be blocked or inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system performs dewatering operations autonomously without requiring human operators to physically enter or access the building. The system self-navigates, self-monitors moisture levels via onboard sensors, and self-executes dewatering tasks, eliminating the need for human presence in potentially hazardous or inaccessible environments while maintaining rapid response capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical dewatering operations with an automated drone-based system that uses onboard sensors and computing systems to detect moisture levels and control dewatering devices, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with automated electromechanical systems that can access buildings more quickly and safely
2Reliability
If dewatering operations are delayed, then human safety is maintained, but long-term structural damage and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system is deployed immediately upon detection of flooding or water damage, performing dewatering operations at the earliest possible moment before extensive structural damage occurs. The system proactively addresses moisture issues before they can lead to long-term problems such as mold growth, structural deterioration, or health hazards, thereby preserving building integrity while minimizing the time loss for clean-up operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors moisture levels using onboard sensors and adjusts dewatering operations in real-time based on feedback from the environment. This closed-loop control ensures that dewatering continues until moisture levels are reduced to safe thresholds, reliably preventing structural damage while optimizing the time required for clean-up by avoiding both premature termination and excessive operation
3Measurement precision
If extensive manual inspection and monitoring is performed, then accurate moisture detection is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: navigation, moisture detection via onboard sensors, data processing through computing systems, and dewatering operations. This multi-functional system eliminates the need for separate manual inspection teams and dewatering crews, achieving both accurate moisture detection and high inspection speed while improving overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and monitoring with automated sensor-based detection systems mounted on the drone. These sensors continuously measure moisture levels with high precision while the drone moves through the building, simultaneously achieving accurate measurement and rapid inspection without the time-consuming nature of manual methods
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 rapid and safe reduction of moisture levels in buildings, minimizing structural damage and health risks without human presence, thus preserving the integrity of the building and reducing the need for extensive repairs.
Implementation Method 1
obtain, at a first time and via a first sensor of an autonomous vehicle navigating inside of a first building, first sensor data about a first portion of a first room
Implementation Method 2
causing, via the onboard computing system, a dewatering device installed on the autonomous vehicle to perform a first dewatering cycle
Implementation Method 3
agitation and vacuuming of water and mud
Data Source
AI summary
Dewatering systems and methods for use in response to emergencies and disasters. The system includes an autonomous vehicle including or transporting a dewatering device. In response to information about a water-related disaster at a specific location, the system will instruct the vehicle to travel to the location, enter a building, and initiate a series of dewatering cycles in the interior space of the building. The vehicle can navigate from room to room and determine whether fluid content levels exceed a specified threshold. In response, the vehicle can direct its dewatering operation to these specific zones.