Drone Liquid Sampling Units With Sealed Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid sample capture systems using aerial drones lack precision and efficiency, requiring multiple technicians and leading to cross-contamination between sampling sites, which increases costs and reduces data quality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for multiple liquid sample capture using an aerial drone equipped with an array of sample capture units (SCUs) that can be deployed independently via a winch mechanism, featuring protective housings and actuation systems to prevent cross-contamination, allowing for efficient and precise collection of liquid samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aerial drones are used for liquid sample capture, then sampling efficiency and productivity are improved, but cross-contamination between sampling sites occurs and data quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sampling apparatus into multiple independent sample capture units (SCUs), each with its own sealed receptacle and orifice cover. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently, preventing cross-contamination between sampling sites while maintaining high productivity through parallel sampling capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Orifice covers act as intermediary elements that seal the receptacle openings during transit and only open when a sample is needed. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct exposure of samples to cross-contamination sources while allowing efficient sample collection when required.
2Measurement precision
If multiple technicians are deployed for sample capture, then sampling precision and data quality are improved, but operational complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated actuation mechanisms that control the opening and closing of orifice covers without human intervention. The SCUs self-manage the sampling process, eliminating the need for multiple technicians to manually handle samples while maintaining precise sampling operations through programmed control sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone-based system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: navigation to sampling sites, deployment of SCUs, actuation of orifice covers, and recovery of samples. This multi-functional integration replaces the need for multiple specialized technicians with a single automated system.
3Productivity
If more liquid samples are collected per unit time, then productivity is improved, but the risk of cross-contamination between samples increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sample is collected in a separate, sealed receptacle within the SCU array. This physical segmentation ensures that even when multiple samples are collected simultaneously or in rapid succession, cross-contamination cannot occur between samples or between sampling sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice covers are designed to remain closed during transit and only open at the precise moment a sample is collected. This preliminary sealing action prevents cross-contamination before it can occur, while still allowing rapid sample collection when the covers are opened in sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, and method for capture of multiple liquid samples from an aerial drone, including an aerial drone; one or more liquid sample receptacles disposed within respective receptacle containing units provided on the aerial drone; and a gear drive mechanism configured to lower and raise the one or more liquid sample receptacles and the respective receptacle containing units into a body of liquid to capture multiple liquid samples from the body of liquid.