LIGHTWEIGHT PLATFORM FOR REMOTE SENSING OF POINT SOURCE MIXING AND SYSTEM FOR MIXING MODEL VALIDATION AND CALIBRATION
First Claim
1. A system for validating a point source mixing model, comprising:
- two cameras fixed to a frame of an aerial platform using mounting means, the two cameras being laterally adjacent to each other and configured to jointly capture image data of substantially a same mixing zone;
a microcontroller coupled to the frame of the aerial platform and coupled to the two cameras;
a digital compass coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure at least one of (a) a pitch, (b) a yaw, and (c) a roll of the aerial platform, the digital compass providing a first feedback loop to the microcontroller;
a laser range finder coupled to the microcontroller and configured to determine a distance between the aerial platform and the mixing zone, the laser range finder providing a second feedback loop to the microcontroller;
a first servo coupled to the microcontroller, the first servo being structured to detect a first position of the two cameras, the first servo providing a third feedback loop to the microcontroller; and
a second servo coupled to the microcontroller, the second servo being structured to detect a second position of the two cameras, the second servo providing a fourth feedback loop to the microcontroller,wherein the first and second servos include first and second servo motors, respectively, the first and second servo motors being structured to automatically rotate the two cameras in at least two directions responsive to the first, second, third, and fourth feedback loops such that the at least two cameras are substantially locked to the mixing zone.
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Abstract
An aerial remote sensing platform remotely collects information including environmental monitoring data. The aerial remote sensing platform includes a camera, a microcontroller, and sensors. A ground base station communicates with the aerial remote sensing platform. The microcontroller monitors a pitch, a yaw, and a roll of the aerial remote sensing platform and automatically adjusts a pan and a tilt of a camera accordingly, thereby locking on a region of interest for the capture and processing of visible light and thermographic images of mixing from point source pollutant discharges. The aerial remote sensing platform auto adjustment occurs responsive to the microcontroller, which processes a variety of feedback loop information gathered by the sensors. A viewer is configured to display an analysis of the collected information including visible light and thermographic images. The analysis provided is used to validate a CORMIX simulation model for point source mixing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for validating a point source mixing model, comprising:
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two cameras fixed to a frame of an aerial platform using mounting means, the two cameras being laterally adjacent to each other and configured to jointly capture image data of substantially a same mixing zone; a microcontroller coupled to the frame of the aerial platform and coupled to the two cameras; a digital compass coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure at least one of (a) a pitch, (b) a yaw, and (c) a roll of the aerial platform, the digital compass providing a first feedback loop to the microcontroller; a laser range finder coupled to the microcontroller and configured to determine a distance between the aerial platform and the mixing zone, the laser range finder providing a second feedback loop to the microcontroller; a first servo coupled to the microcontroller, the first servo being structured to detect a first position of the two cameras, the first servo providing a third feedback loop to the microcontroller; and a second servo coupled to the microcontroller, the second servo being structured to detect a second position of the two cameras, the second servo providing a fourth feedback loop to the microcontroller, wherein the first and second servos include first and second servo motors, respectively, the first and second servo motors being structured to automatically rotate the two cameras in at least two directions responsive to the first, second, third, and fourth feedback loops such that the at least two cameras are substantially locked to the mixing zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system, comprising:
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an aerial remote sensing platform structured to collect first information including environmental monitoring data, the aerial remote sensing platform including at least one camera, at least one microcontroller, and at least one camera position sensor; and a ground base station structured to communicate with the at least one microcontroller, to monitor a position of the at least one camera, and to receive the first information from the aerial remote sensing platform. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for validating a point source mixing model, the method comprising:
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directing two cameras at a common point; capturing image data using the two cameras from an elevated point above the common point; transmitting the captured image data to a ground station together with camera position data; displaying the captured image data from the two cameras side by side; and validating the mixing model using the side by side image data and the position data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification