UAV Concurrent Wind and Gas Sensor for Emission Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas leak detection technologies face challenges in accurately localizing and quantifying trace gas emissions due to uncertainties in wind speed measurements, particularly when collected from ground-level sources.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a trace gas sensor and a wind sensor, such as a wind lidar or ultrasonic sensor, which acquires concurrent and co-located gas point concentration and discrete wind vector measurements to enhance leak detection and localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ground-level wind speed measurements are used for gas leak detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of wind vectors deteriorates due to uncertainties in representing three-dimensional wind fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level (2D) wind measurements to three-dimensional (3D) aerial measurements using a UAV. The wind sensor is positioned in the air to capture vertical and horizontal wind components, enabling accurate representation of the full three-dimensional wind field that affects gas plume dispersion, thereby resolving the limitation of ground-based measurements unable to capture vertical wind variations
2Measurement precision
If concurrent and co-located wind and gas measurements are implemented, then the measurement precision of emission sources and rates is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple sensors on mobile platform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (gas concentration sensing, wind vector measurement, and position tracking) into a single integrated mobile platform (UAV). This consolidation allows concurrent and co-located measurements of wind and gas parameters at the same spatial and temporal coordinates, improving the accuracy of emission source localization while managing system complexity through integration rather than separate ground-based instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV platform serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mobile support structure for sensors, a positioning system via GPS, a wind measurement platform, and a gas concentration detection device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment and enables comprehensive atmospheric monitoring with a single integrated system
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 reduces model-derived uncertainties in trace gas emission sources and rates, leading to improved leak detection, localization, and quantification capabilities by providing accurate wind and gas concentration gradients.
Implementation Method 1
a wind sensor, where the wind sensor may be configured to determine a discrete wind vector corresponding to the gas point concentration measurement
Implementation Method 2
a trace gas sensor disposed on the UAV, where the gas sensor may be configured to measure a gas point concentration
Implementation Method 3
the wind sensor may be a wind lidar
Implementation Method 4
the wind sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); a trace gas sensor disposed on the UAV, where the gas sensor is configured to measure a gas point concentration; a wind sensor, where the wind sensor is configured to determine a discrete wind vector corresponding to the gas point concentration measurement; and where the discrete wind vector and gas point concentration measurement are acquired substantially concurrently and co-locally.