Passive Flow Sensing for Real-Time Navigation in Viscous Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently analyzing and controlling devices, including robots, in viscous fluid systems due to high computational requirements and limited hardware capabilities, especially when dealing with real-time or near-real-time fluid dynamics modeling.
Innovation Solution
The use of passive sensors for collecting instantaneous data on fluid flow, combined with quasi-static methods and machine learning techniques, allows for the derivation of information about device position, movement, and fluid system features, reducing hardware needs and enabling faster computation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time or near-real-time fluid dynamics modeling is performed using conventional computational methods, then accurate fluid flow analysis is achieved, but computational time and hardware requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes fluid dynamics characteristics for various device positions and orientations before actual operation. These pre-computed models are stored and later used to rapidly determine device state by matching sensor data against the pre-established models, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time fluid dynamics calculations while maintaining analysis accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified computational models that replicate the essential fluid dynamics behavior without requiring full-scale simulations. By using representative models rather than complete physical simulations, the system achieves accurate fluid flow analysis with significantly reduced computational time and hardware requirements
2Loss of information
If full fluid dynamics simulations are run continuously, then comprehensive fluid flow information is obtained, but energy consumption and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential fluid flow parameters needed for device operation and navigation, rather than computing complete fluid dynamics fields. By focusing on critical information such as flow velocity, pressure gradients, and shear stress at specific locations, the system maintains comprehensive fluid flow information while dramatically reducing computational load and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs fluid dynamics analysis only when and where it is necessary for device operation, rather than continuously throughout the entire fluid domain. By applying computational resources selectively to regions of interest and time-critical moments, the system obtains sufficient fluid flow information with minimal energy expenditure
3Measurement precision
If complex computational algorithms are used for real-time device control in viscous fluid, then precise device positioning and navigation are achieved, but hardware complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex real-time fluid dynamics simulations with pre-computed lookup tables and simplified mathematical models. By substituting intensive computational algorithms with pre-established relationships between sensor readings and device state, the system achieves precise device positioning and navigation using simpler, more efficient hardware with reduced processing requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, including robotic devices, operating in viscous fluid flow can use passive sensor data collected to represent fluid parameters at an instant in time to derive information about the flow, the motion and position of the device, and parameters of the physical system constraining the flow. Using quasi-static analysis techniques, and appropriate feature selection for machine learning, very accurate determinations can be made, generally in real time, with very modest computational requirements. These determinations can then be used to map systems, navigate devices through a system, or otherwise control the actions of, e.g., robotic devices for clean-up, leak detection, or other functions.