METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING GREENHOUSE GASES AND AIR POLLUTANTS FROM THE ATMOSPHERE

Abstract

A process, an article of manufacture, and a product for efficient and cost-effective capture of greenhouse gases and air pollutants directly from the air using an unmanned vehicle including materials reclaimed from the atmosphere. The materials can be fabricated into either the actual body structure of a mobile device, into a covering or coating of the body of the mobile device or into a shape suitable for transport by the mobile device by employing any advanced technique such as (but not limited to) 3D-printing technique, laser technique and extrusion technique. The mobile device, with the incorporated materials, is deployed into the atmosphere to capture greenhouse gases and reduce atmospheric pollution in an effort to mitigate the devastating effects of global warming and unhealthy air quality.

Claims

1. A method of removing pollutants from the atmosphere, the steps comprising: providing an unmanned aerial system; equipping said unmanned aerial system with a pollutant collector; and operating said unmanned aerial system in areas having pollutants.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said pollutant collector is sorbent.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said pollutant collector is manufactured from a material comprising removal materials.

4. An apparatus for removing pollutants from the atmosphere, comprising; a mobile device; and a pollutant collector.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said pollutant collector is a sorbent material.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said pollutant collector is attachable to said mobile device and replaceable therefrom.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said pollutant collector is manufactured using sorbent materials.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a structural portion of said mobile device is manufactured from a material comprising removal material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said mobile device is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said mobile device further comprises a system selected from the group of systems consisting of one or more of: electric cell; pressure swing adsorption; membrane separation; catalytic; and combinations thereof.

11. An apparatus for removing pollutants from the atmosphere, comprising; a mobile device; wherein said mobile device comprises a pollutant collector.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said pollutant collector covers a substantial portion of a body of said mobile device.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a body of said mobile device comprises said pollutant collector.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said body of said mobile device is manufactured from a technique selected from the group of techniques consisting of one or more of: AM, mold-casting; cutting; laser-cutting; extrusion; and combinations thereof.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mobile device is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said mobile device further comprises a system selected from the group of systems consisting of one or more of: electric cell; pressure swing adsorption; membrane separation; catalytic; and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The drawings show illustrative embodiments, but do not depict all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted for the purpose of saving space or for more effective illustrations. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without some or all components or steps provided in the illustrations. When different drawings contain the same numeral, that numeral refers to the same or similar components or steps.

[0050] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an in-progress layer-by-layer deposition of desired materials into a drone shape by employing 3D-printing technique.

[0051] FIG. 2A is an illustration of several layers of one embodiment of the desired materials deposited to form an initial base layer of the drone.

[0052] FIG. 2B is an illustration of several layers of one embodiment of the desired materials deposited to complete the base portion of the drone.

[0053] FIG. 3A is an illustration of one embodiment of the two identical components that may make up the body of one embodiment of a drone.

[0054] FIG. 3B is an illustration of one embodiment of an assembly of the base portion and the top portion of the drone such that they create the drone body.

[0055] FIGS. 4A-B are illustrations of one embodiment of a drone manufactured out of removal-materials body.

[0056] FIGS. 5A-B are illustrations of an embodiment of a drone cover for use with a drone.

[0057] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a drone having a coating applied.

[0058] FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an embodiment of a drone having a sorbent-based cartridge or carrier.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a method of removing atmospheric-dirt using an AM or 3D-printed material-based UAV drone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] In the following detailed description of various embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the embodiments. However, the embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known procedures and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

[0061] While some embodiments are disclosed here, other embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art as a result of the following detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications of various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. The Figures, and their detailed descriptions, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.

[0062] In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

[0063] As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, may refer to a deviance of between 0.001-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.

[0064] As used herein, “pollutant” may include, but not be limited to, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM), greenhouse gases, other substances that may have a negative effect on climate, and other substances in the air that have a negative effect on air quality.

[0065] As used herein a “sorbent” may include materials such as, but not be limited to, zeolites, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), MOFs, ZIFs, carbons, polymers, alkali oxides, carbonates, organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents, composites, alkylamines/amines, ionic liquid-based materials, hydrotalcites, silicas, alkylamines, amines, amine incorporated sorbents, ionic liquids, ionic liquid-based materials bare metal-oxides, alkali oxides, hydrotalcites, hybrid materials, silicas and metal-doped materials. These materials may act as sorbents, membranes, catalysts or combination thereof.

[0066] An embodiment of the AM or conventionally fabricated sorbent-based unmanned aerial vehicle is described herein. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The AM or conventionally manufactured removal-material based unmanned aerial vehicle is meant to mitigate climate change and pollution by removing greenhouse gases and pollutants, respectively, from the atmosphere. This invention is a cost effective and efficient way to capture greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

[0067] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an in-progress layer-by-layer deposition of desired materials into a drone shape by employing a 3D-printing technique 100.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, a paste 110 may be used in a 3D-printer's 100 extruder-tube 120. A receiver head 130 of the 3D printer 100 may be connected to the extruder-tube 120 whereas the other side of the receiver head 130 may be connected to an air compressor, digital syringe dispenser, or use a motor extruder to extrude the paste 110 in layer-by-layer manner. The extruder-tube 120 may be fastened to a 3D-printer extruding holder 130. A nozzle 140 of desired diameter may be connected to the extruder-tube 120 on the extruding side. Operating conditions such as printing speed, air flow pressure, height of the nozzle from the printing plate, may vary depending on the viscosity of the paste 110. Modeling software may be used to create a drone shape design which may then be exported to the 3D printer's 100 software, and thereby cause a layer-by-layer extrusion 150 of the paste 110. In a preferred embodiment, the paste 110 may comprise a removal material. In some embodiments, removal materials may comprise adsorbents, catalysts, and membranes useful for cleaning atmospheric dirt, pollution, and greenhouse gases.

[0069] The paste 110 may be prepared by combining pulverized removal-material with additives and homogenized. The additives may comprise binder(s), co-binder(s), plasticizer(s), and solvent(s). The additives may comprise at least one binder or solvent that is selected from the group consisting of organic, inorganic, partially organic, clay, and inorganic oxides, in a range from 0-98 wt %. Additives with varied and optimized weight fractions may be mixed with pulverulent removal-material to create a homogeneous, viscous, and extrudable paste. Structures made from the paste 110 with removal-materials may be considered pollutant collectors.

[0070] 3D printing may be used to create the physical structure of the drone, a 3D covering in the shape of the drone structure, a cartridge comprising removal-material that may be carried by the drone, or any combination thereof. The cartridge may be configured to be easily removed and replaced.

[0071] In one embodiment, any conventional or other AM fabrication techniques may be used instead of 3D printing.

[0072] FIG. 2A is an illustration of several layers of desired materials deposited to form an initial base layer of the drone and a completed base portion of the drone, respectively. In this embodiment,

[0073] As shown in FIG. 2A, an initial base layer of the drone 210 may be deposited in the shape of the drone.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2B, the completed base portion of the drone 220 may be built upon the shape of the initial base layer of the drone 210. The completed base portion of the drone 220 may have an internal cavity 215 for receiving and installing other drone components, including drone parts and electronics.

[0075] FIG. 3A is an illustration of two identical components that make up the body of one embodiment of a drone.

[0076] FIG. 3B is an illustration of an assembly of the base portion and the top portion of the drone such that they create the drone body.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3A, two body parts, a top portion 225 and bottom portion 220 may constitute the drone body. They may be identical or substantially identical in shape and size and may be attached in a face-to-face orientation such that the internal cavity 215 of the top portion 225 and bottom portion 220 to create the drone body.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 3B, an electronic configuration module 310 may be housed within the internal cavity 215. The electronic configuration module 310 may act as an internal computer and control module.

[0079] FIGS. 4A-B are illustrations of one embodiment of a drone body with drivers. As shown in FIGS. 4A-B, a drone body comprising a top and bottom portion 215, 225 may have one or more drivers 410 affixed. The drivers 410 may be propeller assemblies, jet assemblies, compressed air assemblies, or other mechanisms for moving the drone body comprising a top and bottom portion 215, 225. In this embodiment, the drone body comprising a top and bottom portion 215, 225 preferably comprises a removal material and are fabricated using conventional manufacturing or AM.

[0080] FIGS. 5A-B are illustrations of an embodiment of a drone cover for use with a drone. As shown in FIGS. 5A-B, a drone body 505 may be encapsulated by one or more drone body covers 500. The drone body covers 500 may comprise an internal cavity 510 configured to receive and secure the drone body 505. The drone body covers 500 preferably comprise a removal material and are AM or 3D printed. Preferably the removal material comprises a sorbent-based covering.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 5B, one or more drivers 410 may engage the drone body covers 500. In one embodiment, the drivers 410 may engage the drone body covers 500 and/or the drone body 505 in order to keep the drone body covers 500 engaged with the drone body 505.

[0082] In one embodiment, drivers may be attached prior, during or after the fabrication process.

[0083] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a drone having a coating applied. As shown in FIG. 6, a drone body 605 may have a coating applied to it by a spraying device 610. Preferably, the coating comprises a removal material that is sorbent based.

[0084] FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an embodiment of a drone having a sorbent-based cartridge or carrier. As shown in FIG. 7, the drone body 505 may comprise a carrying mechanism 705 which may function to connect a cartridge 710. In one embodiment, the carrying mechanism 705 may comprise a rigid attachment structure. The cartridge 710 may be a sorbent material that is configured to easily release from said carrying mechanism 705 and be replaced.

[0085] In one embodiment, cartridge or carrier may be of any size, and shape. Cartridge or carrier may be installed strategically to maximize the removal of greenhouse gases and air pollutants.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a method of removing atmospheric-dirt using a 3D-printed material-based UAV drone 800.

[0087] First, the removal-material is processed 805. The removal materials may be made according to the embodiments discussed above. Then, the removal-material may be transferred into a 3D printing machine or conventional manufacturing system 810. The 3D printing machine may print a whole UAV body containing the removal materials or prints UAV enclosures made of the materials or prints a removal materials-based shape that may be carried by the UAV 815. The removal materials-based UAV may be assembled depending on one of the embodiments discussed hereinabove 820. In the next step, the removal materials-based UAV may be flown in order to remove atmospheric-dirt 825. Finally, the 3D printed UAV may be regenerated using energy such as but not limited to thermal energy, dipping in a solvent that dissolves/removes atmospheric-dirt, microwave energy, and solar energy 830. After regenerating, 3D-printed removal-material drones may be employed again for removing atmospheric-dirt. The process of capturing and regenerating of 3D printed removal-material drones can be repeated for multiple cycles.

[0088] In one embodiment, any conventional or AM fabrication methods may be used to manufacture material-based UAV drones.

[0089] As used herein, a mobile device may be any controlled flying object or terrestrial object. Some examples of a mobile device may comprise unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), solar gliders, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) systems, or any other controlled device. In some embodiments, the mobile device may be a bi-copter, quadcopter, hexa-copter, octocopter, multi-copter, helicopter, airplanes or any other controlled flying object. In some embodiments, the mobile device may be equipped with technologies such as artificial intelligence, hearing tape, heating cables, pressure regulators, sensors and anti-collision lights.

[0090] The mobile device may use any type of batteries, including Li—Po, and graphite. The mobile device may use any type of fuel, including jet fuels, hydrogen, ammonia, and compressed natural gas to fly. The mobile device can use both batteries and fuel to achieve longer flight-time.

[0091] Collision sensors may be used.

[0092] Sensors aiding the recognition of high concentrations of polluted areas may be added to the unmanned aerial vehicles to allow for a quick and efficient recognition of where most of the pollution is located. This may allow the drones to target areas where the concentration of pollutants is higher, which may enable increased efficiency in capturing the most amount of pollutants in the least amount of time with the least amount of energy expenditure. These sensors may also measure the amount of pollutants collected and recognize the point of saturation of the sorbent-based material. Furthermore, using a combination of satellites and artificial intelligence (AI), drones may further increase the efficiency of collecting the most amount of pollutants in the least amount of time. By employing machine learning algorithms/AI into the onboard electronics or the remote controlling location, the collecting of greenhouse gases can be conducted on an autonomous or semi-autonomous fashion.

[0093] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0094] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

[0095] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.