Drone-Based Liquid Sampling Apparatus for Contamination-Free Metal Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for sampling low-level metals in water are prone to contamination and pose safety risks due to manual handling and exposure in hazardous locations, such as rivers.
Innovation Solution
A liquid sampling apparatus that uses a drone or remote delivery system to collect samples hands-free, with a cap engagement mechanism that remotely opens and closes sample bottles underwater, preventing contamination and allowing safe sampling in restricted or dangerous areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of sample containers is used, then sampling operation is simple, but contamination is introduced and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system performs cap removal and sealing operations automatically without human intervention. The cap remover mechanism and cap sealer operate autonomously to remove caps from sample containers and seal them after sampling, eliminating the need for manual handling and thereby preventing contamination and safety risks associated with human operators in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic arm serves as an intermediary between the sampling system and sample containers. The robotic arm executes cap removal and sealing operations remotely, acting as a mediator that eliminates direct human contact with potentially contaminated samples while maintaining operational capability in dangerous locations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If remote sampling methods are used, then contamination is minimized and safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sampling operations are merged into a single integrated apparatus. The cap remover mechanism, sample container holder, and cap sealer are combined in one unified device that performs cap removal, sampling, and sealing operations sequentially, reducing the need for multiple separate equipment and simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple operations. The same robotic arm and actuation mechanisms are used for both cap removal and cap sealing operations, making the device versatile and reducing the number of specialized components needed
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 clean and safe collection of low-level metal samples by minimizing exposure to contaminants and eliminating the need for manual handling in hazardous locations, ensuring sample integrity and personnel safety.
Implementation Method 1
The intermediate portion includes a float configured to provide buoyancy to the liquid sampling apparatus such that the liquid sampling apparatus floats on a liquid surface
Implementation Method 2
the cap engagement apparatus is configured to move downwardly under the force of gravity to engage the bottle and resecure the cap to the bottle
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid sampling apparatus and methods enable hands free collection of low-level metals and other contaminant-sensitive samples from surface waters via drone or other remote delivery systems. The apparatus and methods allow for limited exposure to contaminants during a sampling process by remotely opening and closing sample containers while submerged under water at a sampling location.