Solid-State Flood Sensor with Hybrid Mesh Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flood sensing systems are too expensive and not cost-effective for widespread installation, lacking flexibility in wireless networking options and durability for outdoor use, making them inadequate for timely and accurate flood management.
Innovation Solution
A distributed wireless, solid-state flood sensor system that uses a hybrid mesh network for communication and compensates for atmospheric pressure changes, featuring a submerged pressure sensor and a modular design with solar power, allowing for accurate water depth measurement and wireless communication via terrestrial, cellular, and satellite links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional flood sensing systems are deployed, then measurement accuracy is achieved, but cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flood monitoring area into multiple zones with distributed sensor nodes. Each node independently measures local water depth using pressure sensors, and results are aggregated through wireless mesh networking. This segmentation allows accurate coverage of large areas without requiring complex centralized installation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical float-based measurement systems with solid-state pressure sensors that electronically measure water depth. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, moving parts, and manual calibration requirements while maintaining measurement accuracy, thereby reducing installation and maintenance complexity.
2Loss of time
If sufficient sensor density is installed to provide timely flood information, then response time improves, but cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node is equipped with autonomous power management including solar panels and battery systems, allowing nodes to operate independently without continuous external power infrastructure. The nodes self-configure into mesh networks automatically, eliminating the need for complex centralized deployment planning and reducing overall system installation cost while enabling dense deployment for timely detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor nodes are designed as multi-functional units that combine water depth measurement, wireless communication, power management, and environmental sensing capabilities in a single integrated package. This universality allows the same node type to be deployed throughout the entire monitoring area, simplifying procurement and installation while achieving comprehensive coverage with sufficient density for timely flood detection.
3Reliability
If outdoor durability is enhanced for extended operation, then system reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor nodes are enclosed in sealed, corrosion-resistant housings with protective coatings that shield internal electronics from moisture, UV radiation, and environmental degradation. These protective enclosures maintain simple internal node configurations while providing robust outdoor durability for extended operation in harsh flood-prone environments without adding significant complexity to the system architecture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If wireless networking flexibility is increased with multiple communication options, then system adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless mesh network dynamically routes data packets between nodes based on real-time network conditions, node availability, and signal quality. This dynamic routing capability provides flexible communication paths and adaptability to changing environmental conditions without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple communication protocols at each node, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving high versatility.
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 provides a cost-effective, reliable, and flexible solution for flood monitoring, enabling accurate water depth measurement and timely reporting of flood conditions, suitable for widespread deployment in flood-prone areas.
Implementation Method 1
The controller of the lower body portion is configured to be connected to a second pressure sensor that is submerged under water
Implementation Method 2
an upper body portion coupled to a second power source
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for accurate measurement and transmission of water level parameters during weather events, such as floods, are provided. The solid-state system can effectively measure water level without utilizing moving parts, pumps, or floats and may implement an improved water level determination method that compensates for inherent sources of error. Additionally, the system may be comprised of a network of sensor units that can communicate weather measurements wirelessly via a hybrid mesh network consisting variously of wireless terrestrial radio, cellular, and satellite communication links. By doing so, the status of water level and other environmental parameters may be reported in real time to first responders and emergency planners.