UAV Fluid Sampling System for Remote Equipment Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote equipment maintenance is costly and risky due to the complexity and expense of obtaining and analyzing fluid samples, leading to uncertain equipment health and unplanned downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect and transport fluid samples from equipment, using a rotatable shaft and moving parts in fluid communication with a lubricating fluid path, with a valve to discharge samples into a container, and a retention and loading mechanism to facilitate UAV docking and sample transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If personnel travel to remote equipment to collect fluid samples manually, then equipment health monitoring can be performed, but the complexity, cost, and risk of operations increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service sampling through automated fluid transfer mechanisms. The fluid sample transfer device automatically collects samples from the equipment's fluid system and transfers them to containers without requiring personnel presence at the remote location, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining reliable health monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary automated sampling system is introduced between the remote equipment and the analysis laboratory. This intermediary system includes automated fluid transfer devices, sample containers, and communication interfaces that bridge the gap between remote equipment and centralized analysis facilities, reducing operational complexity while maintaining monitoring reliability
2Reliability
If scheduled preventative maintenance is performed on remote equipment, then unexpected breakdowns are avoided, but operational costs increase due to personnel travel and equipment downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sampling and data collection actions automatically during equipment operation. Fluid samples are collected and prepared in advance before being transported to analysis facilities, allowing maintenance scheduling to be based on actual equipment condition rather than fixed time intervals, thereby reducing unnecessary downtime while maintaining operational continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes continuous feedback loops where fluid samples are automatically collected, analyzed, and used to generate equipment health assessments. This feedback mechanism enables condition-based maintenance scheduling, allowing operations to proceed without interruption until actual degradation thresholds are reached, thus reducing both unexpected breakdowns and planned maintenance downtime
3Loss of information
If manual sampling procedures are used for remote equipment, then fluid samples can be obtained for analysis, but the process is reactive rather than proactive in diagnosing equipment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous automated sampling and monitoring actions. Fluid samples are collected continuously or at frequent intervals without interruption to equipment operation, ensuring continuous availability of health data. This continuous action enables proactive detection of equipment degradation trends before failures occur, transforming the reactive manual sampling process into a proactive continuous monitoring system
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs preliminary data collection and sample preparation actions continuously in the background. By the time analysis is needed, samples are already collected, prepared, and ready for immediate analysis, eliminating delays associated with manual sampling trips. This preliminary action ensures health information is always available without diagnostic delays
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes for collecting and transporting a fluid sample. In one embodiment, the system can include at least one apparatus that can include a rotatable shaft, one or more other moving parts, and at least one fluid path containing a lubricating fluid. The system can also include at least one sample container and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle configured to transport the at least one sample container. The system can also include at least one valve that can be configured to open and discharge a sample of the lubricating fluid from the at least one fluid path into the at least one sample container. At least one unmanned aerial vehicle station can be configured to receive the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. At least one retention and loading mechanism can be configured to move the at least one sample container.