US 12,392,651 B2
Systems and methods for determining sludge levels in wastewater reservoirs
Nicolas Deschamps, Laval (CA)
Assigned to DRONE DES CHAMPS INC., Lavel (CA)
Filed by Drone Des Champs Inc., Laval (CA)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/743,844.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/188,328, filed on May 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0364899 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. H04N 7/18 (2006.01); B64D 1/02 (2006.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); G01F 23/00 (2022.01); H04N 23/57 (2023.01); B64U 101/00 (2023.01); B64U 101/30 (2023.01)
CPC G01F 23/0023 (2013.01) [B64D 1/02 (2013.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); G01F 23/0038 (2013.01); H04N 23/57 (2023.01); B64U 2101/00 (2023.01); B64U 2101/30 (2023.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerially controlled sludge level detection system for determining a sludge level in a wastewater reservoir, the system comprising:
a drone and a sludge level detection tool suspended from the drone, the drone operable to lower the sludge level detection tool through fluid contained in the wastewater reservoir and into sludge located below a surface of the wastewater reservoir and raise the sludge level detection tool out of the wastewater reservoir,
the sludge level detection tool comprising:
a longitudinally extending gauge extending from a proximal end located toward the drone and a distal end located away from the drone, at least a portion of the gauge at the distal end is hollow to allow a volume of the fluid and a volume of the sludge from within the wastewater reservoir to enter the gauge when the sludge level detection tool is lowered into the wastewater reservoir;
at least one sludge detection sensor operable to detect a sludge location of the sludge below the surface of the wastewater reservoir with the at least one sludge detection sensor submerged within the wastewater reservoir; and
an analyzer connected to the gauge for analyzing the volume of the fluid and the volume of the sludge within the gauge, wherein the analyzer is configured to determine the sludge level of the sludge within the wastewater reservoir by analyzing the volume of the sludge within the gauge.