Motorized Drone Attachment for Autonomous In-Situ Water Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water sampling drones require manual operation for water sample collection and testing, leading to inefficiencies and risks of contamination during transportation, while lacking the capability for real-time analysis.
Innovation Solution
A drone attachment with sensors, a deployment/retraction system, and a processor that automatically detects suitable testing regions, deploys and retracts water-testing strips, and performs on-site testing, enabling real-time analysis and result transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual water sampling and testing is used, then operators can collect and store water samples, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant human resources
Solution Approach 1:
The drone attachment performs water sampling and testing automatically without human intervention. The system self-manages the entire process from deployment to analysis, with the processor controlling sensor activation, data collection, and result transmission, eliminating the need for operators to manually collect and transport samples
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic systems. Sensors electronically detect water quality parameters, and the processor automatically analyzes data and transmits results, substituting the mechanical process of manual sampling and laboratory testing with an integrated electronic measurement and communication system
2Reliability
If water samples are collected and transported manually, then samples can be tested at a later time, but there is a risk of contamination during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The drone attachment serves as an intermediary device between the water source and the analysis system. It directly measures water quality parameters in situ using integrated sensors, eliminating the need for physical sample transport. The intermediary system processes and transmits data electronically, preventing contamination that would occur during manual handling and transportation of water samples
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of sample collection and transport with an electronic in-situ measurement system. Sensors directly detect water quality parameters at the source, and results are transmitted electronically, eliminating the physical transportation step that introduces contamination risks
3Ease of operation
If operators manually control drone operations, then water samples can be collected, but the process requires continuous human monitoring and command input
Solution Approach 1:
The drone attachment operates autonomously without continuous human control. The processor automatically manages deployment, sensor activation, data collection, and result transmission based on pre-programmed instructions or trigger conditions, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for operators to continuously monitor and input commands
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with deployment parameters and operational protocols before being sent to the water source. The processor has pre-loaded instructions for when and how to deploy sensors, what parameters to measure, and how to transmit results, allowing automatic execution without real-time human intervention
4Loss of information
If traditional water sampling drones are used, then water samples can be collected remotely, but the testing results are delayed until manual analysis is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation from deployment through measurement to data transmission without interruption. Sensors continuously monitor water quality parameters, and the processor continuously processes and transmits data in real-time, eliminating the discontinuity of manual sample collection followed by separate laboratory analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of sample transport to a laboratory with an electronic data transmission system. Sensors electronically detect water quality parameters and the processor transmits results wirelessly in real-time, substituting the time-consuming physical transport and manual analysis with immediate electronic measurement and communication
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus, and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for water testing. A drone attachment detects a suitable testing region in a body of water using one or more sensors. The drone attachment deploys a test strip into the suitable testing region in the body of water. The drone attachment performs a water testing while the test strip is inside the body of water. The drone attachment retracts the test strip from the body of water after a testing period is over.