Method, system, and machine to track and anticipate the movement of fluid spills when moving with water flow

• US 9,013,352 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2012
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: O'Regan, Peter R., Almohsen, Ali Amer
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Dao
• Application Number:
  US13/454,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20130063300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.21, 342/357.25, 342/357.55, 342/450, 342/451, 701/408, 701/468, 701/469
• US Class Current: 342/450
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/00 Cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water; Apparatus therefor construction of ships or other waterborne vessels B63B, e.g. vessels specially adapted for collecting pollution from open water B63B35/32; in swimming or splash baths or pools E04H4/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems, methods, and machines for tracking a fluid spill. The method includes obtaining real-time location data for a number of tracking devices from a positioning satellite data repository, integrating the location data of each of the tracking devices into a comprehensive spatial data repository, determining a deployment location for each of the tracking devices, identifying, responsive to the deployment locations, a fluid-spill subset of the tracking devices that were deployed in the fluid spill, determining a fluid spill location based on the geographic locations of the fluid-spill subset, and generating a geographic map depicting the fluid spill location. A new sensor-driven paradigm is used that combines practical data gathering methods with advanced enterprise information technologies. The sensor-driven paradigm provides real-time situational awareness to emergency responders and executive stakeholders working from remote locations during an oil spill or chemical fluid release.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method to track fluid spills when moving with water flow, the method comprising:

obtaining location data for each of a plurality of tracking devices from a positioning satellite data repository, each of the plurality of tracking devices configured to move freely with a fluid spill on the sea surface so as to drift and travel with the fluid spill therealong the sea surface, the location data for each of the respective plurality of tracking devices including a device identifier of a tracking device, a geographic location of the tracking device, and a timestamp to identify an exact time when the geographic location was obtained;

integrating the location data of each of the plurality of tracking devices into a spatial data repository according to the device identifier;

determining, by one or more processors, a deployment location for each of the plurality of tracking devices based on the device identifier;

identifying, by the one or more processors and responsive to the deployment location of each of the plurality of tracking devices, a fluid-spill subset of the plurality of tracking devices that were deployed in the fluid spill;

determining, by the one or more processors, a fluid spill location of the fluid spill based on the geographic locations of the fluid-spill subset; and

generating, by the one or more processors, a geographic map depicting the fluid spill location.

2. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fluid spill location is determined using a concave hull algorithm that is based on a k-nearest approach, and wherein the fluid spill location is depicted as a concave hull polygon that approximates a shape of the fluid spill.

3. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1, wherein the location data for each of the respective plurality of tracking devices further includes a velocity and direction of the tracking device, and wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises:

determining an average velocity and direction for the fluid spill responsive to a velocity and direction obtained from the positioning satellite data repository for each tracking device of the fluid-spill subset; and

modeling a trajectory vector of the fluid spill responsive to the average velocity and direction of the fluid spill, the geographic map further depicting the trajectory vector of the fluid spill.

4. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the one or more processors, historical fluid spill locations based on historical location data obtained from the positioning satellite data repository for each of the plurality of tracking devices; and

modeling, by the one or more processors, a trajectory of the fluid spill based on the fluid spill location and the historical fluid spill locations, the geographic map further depicting the trajectory of the fluid spill, and wherein the fluid spill comprises one or more of an oil fluid, a chemical composition fluid, and a hydrocarbon-based fluid.

5. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 4, further comprising:

determining, by the one or more processors, an average velocity of the fluid spill based on the fluid spill location and the historical fluid spill locations; and

transmitting an alert of significant water current changes when the average velocity of the fluid spill changes by a predetermined percentage.

6. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 4, further comprising:

identifying, responsive to the deployment location, an asset-tracking device associated with one or more of the plurality of tracking devices that is affixed to a spill response asset, the geographic map further depicting the geographic location of the spill response asset; and

transmitting, responsive to user input, an action request to reposition the spill response asset based on the trajectory of the fluid spill.

7. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 4, further comprising:

transmitting an alert of imminent critical contact when a pre-deployed tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices of the fluid-spill subset is within a predetermined distance of one or more of a plurality of critical locations, wherein the pre-deployed tracking device was deployed a predetermined distance ahead of the fluid spill location in the trajectory of the fluid spill.

8. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an alert of imminent critical contact when any one of the plurality of tracking devices of the fluid-spill subset is within a predetermined distance of one or more of a plurality of critical locations; and

modifying a fluid spill response responsive to the alert of imminent critical contact, wherein modifying the fluid spill response includes initiating deployment of spill response assets to one or more of the plurality of critical locations.

9. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving aerial imagery of the fluid spill that is obtained by flyover reconnaissance, the geographic map further depicting the aerial imagery;

determining that a tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices is outside a perimeter the fluid spill based on the aerial imagery; and

transmitting an action request to redeploy the tracking device inside the perimeter the fluid spill.

10. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

identifying, based on the deployment location, a personnel-tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices that was deployed at a last known location of a man overboard, the geographic map further depicting the geographic location of the spill responder; and

generating a distress alert for the man overboard based on a distress signal that is included in the location data for the personnel-tracking device.

11. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

identifying, by the one or more processors, responsive to a low-battery signal that is included in the location data, a tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices having low battery power; and

transmitting an action request to retrieve and maintain the tracking device having low battery power responsive to the low-battery signal.

12. A system to track fluid spills, the system comprising:

one or more non-transitory memories;

one or more processors, each operatively connected to at least one of the one or more non-transitory memories;

a spatial data repository adapted to store spatial data for a fluid spill response;

computer-executable program instructions stored on the one or more non-transitory memories and executable by the one or more processors, the computer-executable program instructions comprising;

a positioning data interface module executed by the one or more processors to obtain location data for each of a plurality of tracking devices from a positioning satellite data repository, each of the plurality of tracking devices configured to move freely with a fluid spill on the sea surface so as to drift and travel with the fluid spill therealong the sea surface, the location data for each of the respective plurality of tracking devices including a device identifier of a tracking device, a geographic location of the tracking device, and a timestamp to identify a time when the geographic location was obtained,

a spatial data interface module executed by the one or more processors to integrate the location data of each of the plurality of tracking devices into the spatial data repository according to the device identifier,

a spatial data manager module executed by the one or more processors to;

determine a deployment location for each of the plurality of tracking devices responsive to the device identifier, and

identify, responsive to the deployment location of each of the plurality of tracking devices, a fluid-spill subset of the plurality of tracking devices that were deployed in the fluid spill,

a modeling module executed by the one or more processors to determine a fluid spill location of the fluid spill based on the geographic locations of the fluid-spill subset, and

a map module responsive to the modeling module and being executed by the one or more processors to generate a geographic map depicting the fluid spill location; and

a user display associated with the one or more processors and being responsive to the map module to display the geographic map to a user.

13. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein the modeling module is configured to determine the fluid spill location by using a concave hull algorithm that is based on a k-nearest approach, and wherein the fluid spill location is depicted as a concave hull polygon that approximates a shape of the fluid spill.

14. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein the location data for each of the respective plurality of tracking devices further includes a velocity and direction of the tracking device, and wherein the modeling module is further executed by the one or more processors to:

determine an average velocity and direction for the fluid spill responsive to a velocity and direction obtained from the positioning satellite data repository for each tracking device of the fluid-spill subset; and

model a trajectory vector of the fluid spill responsive to the average velocity and direction of the fluid spill, the geographic map further depicting the trajectory vector of the fluid spill.

15. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein the modeling module is further executed by the one or more processors to:

determine historical fluid spill locations responsive to historical location data obtained from the positioning satellite data repository for each of the plurality of tracking devices; and

model a trajectory of the fluid spill responsive to the fluid spill location and the historical fluid spill locations, the geographic map further depicting the trajectory of the fluid spill.

16. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more memories, wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit an alert of significant water current changes when an average velocity of the fluid spill changes by a predetermined percentage;

and

wherein the modeling module is further executed by the one or more processors to determine the average velocity of the fluid spill responsive to the fluid spill location and the historical fluid spill locations.

17. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more memories, wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit, responsive to user input, an action request to reposition a spill response asset, the reposition of the spill response asset being responsive to the trajectory of the fluid spill;

and

wherein the spatial data manager is further executed by the one or more processors to identify, responsive to the deployment location, an asset-tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices that is affixed to the spill response asset, the geographic map further depicting a geographic location of the spill response asset.

18. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more non-transitory memories, and wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit an alert of imminent critical contact when a pre-deployed tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices is within a predetermined distance of at least one of a plurality of critical locations;

and

wherein the pre-deployed tracking device was deployed a predetermined distance ahead of the fluid spill location in the trajectory of the fluid spill.

19. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more non-transitory memories, and wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit an alert of imminent critical contact when any tracking device of the fluid-spill subset is within a predetermined distance of at least one of a plurality of critical locations and to modify a fluid spill response responsive to the alert of imminent critical contact, wherein modifying the fluid spill response includes initiating deployment of spill response assets to at least one of the plurality of critical locations.

20. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more memories, and wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit an action request to redeploy a wayward device of the plurality of tracking devices inside a perimeter of the fluid spill, wherein the spatial data manager is further executed by the one or more processors to receive aerial imagery of the fluid spill that is obtained by flyover reconnaissance, the geographic map further depicting the aerial imagery, and wherein the modeling module is further executed by the one or more processors to determine that the wayward device of the plurality of tracking devices is outside the perimeter the fluid spill based on the aerial imagery.

21. A system as defined in claim 12, further comprising the plurality of tracking devices, the positioning satellite repository, and a positioning satellite receiver positioned in communication with the one or more processors to receive the positioning satellite data to be stored in the positioning satellite repository, each tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive positioning signals from three or more positioning satellites;

a transmitter adapted to send the location data to a data processing satellite, the data processing satellite further transmitting the location data for storage in the positioning satellite data repository;

a processor, operatively connected to the receiver and the transmitter, adapted to generate the location data responsive to the positioning signals;

a housing having the receiver, the transmitter, and the processor positioned therein; and

a waterproof container having the housing positioned therein, the waterproof container being adapted to;

protect the receiver, the transmitter, and the processor by preventing an ingress of water into the waterproof container, and

float the tracking device on a surface of the fluid spill.

22. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer-executable program instructions embodied therein that when executed cause one or more computer processors to:

obtain location data for each of a plurality of tracking devices from a positioning satellite data repository, each of the plurality of tracking devices configured to move freely with a fluid spill on the sea surface so as to drift and travel with the fluid spill therealong the sea surface, the location data for each of the respective plurality of tracking devices including a device identifier of a tracking device, a geographic location of the tracking device, and a timestamp to identify an exact time when the geographic location was obtained;

integrate the location data of each of the plurality of tracking devices into a spatial data repository according to the device identifier;

determine a deployment location for each of the plurality of tracking devices responsive to the device identifier;

identify, responsive to the deployment location of each of the plurality of tracking devices, a fluid-spill subset of the plurality of tracking devices that were deployed in the fluid spill;

determine a fluid spill location of the fluid spill based on the geographic locations of the fluid-spill subset; and

generate a geographic map depicting the fluid spill location.

23. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 22, wherein the fluid spill location is determined using a concave hull algorithm that is based on a k-nearest approach, and wherein the fluid spill location is depicted as a concave hull polygon that approximates a shape of the fluid spill.

24. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 22, wherein the location data for each of the respective plurality of tracking devices further includes a velocity and direction of the tracking device, and wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processors to:

determine an average velocity and direction for the fluid spill responsive to a velocity and direction obtained from the positioning satellite data repository for each tracking device of the fluid-spill subset; and

model a trajectory vector of the fluid spill responsive to the average velocity and direction of the fluid spill, the geographic map further depicting the trajectory vector of the fluid spill.

25. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 22, wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processors to:

determine historical spill locations responsive to historical location data obtained from the positioning satellite data repository for each of the plurality of tracking devices; and

model a trajectory of the spill responsive to the spill location and the historical spill locations, the geographic map further depicting the trajectory of the fluid spill.

26. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 25, wherein the fluid comprises oil, and wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processors to:

determine an average velocity and directional vector of the fluid spill responsive to the fluid spill location and the historical fluid spill locations; and

transmit an alert of significant water current changes when the average velocity of the fluid spill changes by a predetermined percentage.

27. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 25, wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processors to:

identify, responsive to the deployment location, an asset-tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices that is affixed to a spill response asset, the geographic map further depicting the geographic location of the spill response asset; and

transmit, responsive to user input, an action request to reposition the spill response asset, the reposition being responsive to the trajectory of the fluid spill.

28. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 25, wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processors to:

transmit an alert of imminent critical contact when a pre-deployed tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices of the fluid-spill subset is within a predetermined distance of one or more of a plurality of critical locations, wherein the pre-deployed tracking device was deployed a predetermined distance ahead of the fluid spill location in the trajectory of the fluid spill.

29. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 22, wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processors to:

transmit an alert of imminent critical contact when any tracking device of the fluid-spill subset is within a predetermined distance of at least one of a plurality of critical locations; and

modifying a fluid spill response responsive to the alert of imminent critical contact, wherein modifying the fluid spill response includes initiating deployment of spill response assets to at least one of the plurality of critical locations.

30. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 22, wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processor to:

receive aerial imagery of the fluid spill that is obtained by flyover reconnaissance, the geographic map further depicting the aerial imagery;

determine that a tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices is outside a perimeter of the fluid spill based on the aerial imagery; and

transmit an action request to redeploy the tracking device inside the perimeter of the fluid spill.

31. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 22, wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processor to:

identify, responsive to the deployment location, a personnel-tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices that was deployed at a last known location of a man overboard, the geographic map further depicting the geographic location of the spill responder; and

generate a distress alert for the man overboard responsive to a distress signal that is included in the location data for the personnel-tracking device.

32. A non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in claim 22, wherein the computer-executable program instructions when executed further cause the one or more computer processors to:

identify, responsive to a low-battery signal that is included in the location data, a tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices with low battery power; and

transmit an action request to retrieve and maintain the tracking device responsive to the low-battery signal.

33. A fluid spill tracking machine to track fluid spills, the machine comprising:

one or more non-transitory memories;

one or more processors, each operatively connected to at least one of the one or more non-transitory memories;

a spatial data repository adapted to store spatial data for a fluid spill response and being connected to the one or more processors; and

computer-executable program instructions stored on the one or more non-transitory memories and executable by the one or more processors, the computer-executable program instructions comprising;

a positioning data interface module executed by the one or more processors to obtain, in a first process, location data for each of a plurality of tracking devices from a positioning satellite data repository, each of the plurality of tracking devices configured to move freely with a fluid spill on the sea surface so as to drift and travel with the fluid spill therealong the sea surface, the location data including a device identifier, geographic location, and a timestamp,

a spatial data interface module executed by the one or more processors to integrate, in a second process, the location data of each of the plurality of tracking devices into the spatial data repository according to the device identifier,

a spatial data manager module executed by the one or more processors to

determine, in a third process, a deployment location for each of the plurality of tracking devices responsive to the device identifier, and

identify, responsive to the deployment location of each of the plurality of tracking devices, a fluid-spill subset of the plurality of tracking devices that were deployed in the fluid spill,

a modeling module executed by the one or more processors to determine, in a fourth process, a fluid spill location of the fluid spill based on the geographic locations of the fluid-spill subset, and

a map module executed by the one or more processors to generate, in a fifth process, a geographic map depicting the fluid spill location to a geographic information system (GIS) display.

34. A machine as defined in claim 33, wherein the modeling module is further executed by the one or more processors to:

determine historical fluid spill locations responsive to historical location data obtained from the positioning satellite data repository for each of the plurality of tracking devices; and

model a trajectory of the fluid spill responsive to the fluid spill location and the historical fluid spill locations, the geographic map further depicting the trajectory of the fluid spill.

35. A machine as defined in claim 34, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more memories, wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit, in a sixth process, an alert of significant water current changes when an average velocity of the fluid spill changes by a predetermined percentage;

and

wherein the modeling module is further executed by the one or more processors to determine the average velocity of the fluid spill responsive to the fluid spill location and the historical fluid spill locations.

36. A machine as defined in claim 34, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more memories, wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit, in a sixth process and responsive to user input, an action request to reposition a spill response asset, the reposition of the spill response asset being responsive to the trajectory of the fluid spill;

and

wherein the spatial data manager is further executed by the one or more processors to identify, responsive to the deployment location, an asset-tracking device of the plurality of tracking devices that is affixed to the spill response asset, the geographic map further depicting a geographic location of the spill response asset.

37. A machine as defined in claim 33, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more non-transitory memories, and wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit, in a sixth process, an alert of imminent critical contact when any tracking device of the fluid-spill subset is within a predetermined distance of at least one of a plurality of critical locations and to modify a fluid spill response responsive to the alert of imminent critical contact, wherein modifying the fluid spill response includes initiating deployment of spill response assets to at least one of the plurality of critical locations.

38. A machine as defined in claim 33, wherein the computer-executable program instructions further comprise a response module stored on the one or more memories, and wherein the response module is executed by the one or more processors to transmit, in a sixth process, an action request to redeploy a wayward device of the plurality of tracking devices inside a perimeter of the fluid spill, wherein the spatial data manager is further executed by the one or more processors to receive aerial imagery of the fluid spill that is obtained by flyover reconnaissance, the geographic map further depicting the aerial imagery, and wherein the modeling module is further executed by the one or more processors to determine that the wayward device of the plurality of tracking devices is outside the perimeter the fluid spill based on the aerial imagery.