Rescue UAV UWB Sensing for Survivor Location Under Debris
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Solution Overview
Problem
Search and rescue operations in disaster situations face challenges such as trapped survivors buried under debris, requiring first responders to navigate harmful conditions, which poses risks to both responders and survivors.
Innovation Solution
Deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver sensors for detecting survivors, UAV data link transceivers for wireless communication of vital signs and location data to command centers, and medical supply compartments for emergency aid, along with proximity sensors, gas sensors, and visible light cameras to facilitate efficient and safe search and rescue operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If first responders travel through harmful conditions to locate survivors, then search and rescue operations can be conducted, but the risk to first responders and survivors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of UAVs equipped with sensors and a command center that processes data. The UAVs act as mediators between the search area and first responders, transmitting survivor location information without requiring responders to physically navigate harmful conditions, thus reducing risk while maintaining search efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of first responders physically traveling through dangerous areas with an automated aerial surveillance system using UAVs. This substitution eliminates the need for human responders to be exposed to harmful conditions while maintaining the ability to locate survivors
2Reliability
If traditional search methods are used to locate survivors buried in debris, then survivors can be found, but the time required for search operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional manual search methods with automated sensor systems on UAVs that can detect survivors through debris using thermal imaging and other sensors. This substitution dramatically reduces search time while maintaining or improving detection accuracy compared to human visual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous surveillance using UAVs that can constantly monitor the search area without interruption. Multiple UAVs can operate simultaneously and continuously scan different areas, eliminating the gaps and delays inherent in traditional sequential search methods, thereby reducing overall search time while maintaining detection reliability
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
Accelerates search efforts by accurately locating survivors through debris, reduces risks to first responders and survivors by providing real-time data and enabling remote medical assistance, and optimizes rescue paths while minimizing hazardous conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver sensor for detecting a presence of a survivor in a search and rescue area
Implementation Method 2
a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of objects in the search and rescue area
Implementation Method 3
a gas sensor can also be included for detecting the presence of different kinds of gases
Implementation Method 4
a visible light camera for detecting video
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a survivor in a search and rescue area. The at least one sensor is preferably an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver sensor. The UAV includes a UAV data link transceiver for wirelessly communicating information concerning the survivor to a command center.