TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates to the field of water body cleaning/purifying
systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system, robotic vessel and
method for efficient cleaning of water bodies by removing industrial garbage and other
chemical pollutants from the water bodies in real-time.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information
provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any
publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] As well known in the art, the water bodies such as oceans, seas, river, ponds,
swimming pools etc. are contaminated due to various types of pollutants produced by
chemical factories, people etc. Due to rapid urbanization, growth in population, increase in
use of plastic and industrial development; the growth of pollutants, microorganisms,
industrial garbage, floating waste materials etc. have been increasing in the water bodies
exponentially. This may lead to severe health problems and spread of dreadful diseases,
infections etc. to the people living in the vicinity of the polluted water bodies as the water
bodies are not suitable for drinking, cleaning etc. daily usage purposes. Therefore, it is
essential to purify the water bodies by removing or eliminating pollutants, garbage etc. waste
materials from the water bodies. The purified water can be used for agriculture, drinking and
other habitual uses. The purification/filtering/cleaning of the impurities present in the water
bodies may improve the life style of the people and this can reduce the health problems as
well. Further, this can be helpful in decreasing the mortality rate of the children as well.
[004] Efforts have been made in the related art to provide systems, methods or
techniques for removing toxic chemicals and other pollutants from water bodies.
[005] For example, the prior-art technique called river surface cleaning (RSC) had
been implemented in India, 2014 in order to collect floating waste materials and to improve
the water quality of the rivers or any other water bodies. However, this technique was not
able to implement chemical free techniques in order to remove toxins, pollutants and other
chemicals from the river. Further, the implementation of this technique involves a lot of
money, approximately in millions, and a large amount of work force might be required in
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order to remove garbage particles completely. Therefore, this technique may not be suitable
for cleaning of water bodies efficiently.
[006] Some of the related art references implement automatic/robotic systems and/or
devices such as vessels or any other marine vehicles that move on/in water bodies in order to
filter and remove toxic pollutants and other chemicals from the corresponding water bodies.
However, most of these systems and/or devices are complex and expensive to implement
practically, and they are not completely automatic as well. The filtering techniques
implemented in related art references are also not that much effective in accurate
purifying/filtering of wet garbage and dry garbage in real-time. Most of the filtering
techniques use artificial chemicals that are toxic and/or hazardous to environment. These
filtering techniques are also much more expensive. These related art techniques may also face
many challenges in collecting water and/or garbage or waste particles from the water bodies
without leaving any residue. This may result in missing of some portions/quantity of water as
un-purified with the residue garbage particles or any other plastic pollutants in the water
body. The related art references do not differentiate/separate the collected pollutants, garbage,
industrial wastes, plastics and other waste materials automatically and precisely to enable
further recycling.
[007] Whereas there is certainly nothing wrong with traditional systems or methods,
nonetheless, there is a need in the art to provide an efficient, cost-effective, simple and
accurate system, robotic vessel/marine vehicle and method for collecting and differentiating
garbage and other industrial wastes from the water bodies such as rivers automatically. In
addition, there is a need to implement a robotic system to filter and/or recycle the water in an
efficient and natural manner.
[008] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if
each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated
to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated
reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the
definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference
does not apply.
[009] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of
items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be
understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some
embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached
claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be
3
obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should
be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary
rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth
the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical
values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The
numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors
necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing
measurements.
[0010] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0011] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a
shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range.
Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification
as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by
context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided
with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the
invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No
language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element
essential to the practice of the invention.
[0012] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed
herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and
claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other
elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from,
a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion
occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the
written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0013] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
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[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system, a robotic vessel
and method for cleaning or purifying a water body.
[0015] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system, a robotic
vessel and method for cleaning or purifying a water body by collecting and removing garbage
present in/on the water body.
[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system, a robotic
vessel and method for cleaning or purifying a water body by collecting and removing garbage
present in/on the water body automatically.
[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a simple and costeffective
system and a robotic vessel for cleaning or purifying a water body by collecting and
removing garbage present in/on the water body.
[0018] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a precise and timeefficient
system, robotic vessel and method for cleaning or filtering a water body by
collecting and removing pollutants such as garbage, plastic etc. present in/on the water body.
[0019] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system, robotic vessel
and method for cleaning or filtering a water body completely by collecting and removing
garbage present in/on the water body and without using any chemical based water filters.
[0020] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system, robotic vessel
and method for cleaning or filtering a water body completely by collecting and removing
garbage present in/on the water body in real-time and with reduced labour.
SUMMARY
[0021] The present disclosure relates to the field of water body cleaning/purifying
systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system, robotic vessel and
method for efficient cleaning of water bodies by removing industrial garbage and other
chemical pollutants from the water bodies in real-time.
[0022] This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of a system for
time bound availability check of an entity, which are further described below in the detailed
description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed
subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining/limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0023] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a system for cleaning a water
body. The system can include: a vessel that can be placed in the water body; and at least one
conveyor belt configured with a net that can be operatively coupled to the vessel. The at least
5
one conveyor belt configured with the net that can be adapted to collect garbage from the
water body such that the collected garbage can include wet garbage and/or dry garbage. The
system can include: a garbage separating unit operatively coupled to the vessel and to the at
least one conveyor belt, the garbage separating unit can include at least one sieve that can be
adapted to separate the dry garbage and the wet garbage from the collected garbage; a
garbage storing unit that can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit, the
garbage storing unit can include at least two containers. The at least two containers can
include at least one first container and at least one second container, wherein the at least one
first container and the at least one second container can be adapted to store the separated dry
garbage and the wet garbage respectively.
[0024] In an aspect, the system can include: a garbage compressing unit that can be
operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit, and configured to compress the separated
dry garbage to increase space for storage in the at least one first container; and a water
filtering unit that can be operatively coupled to the garbage storing unit, the water filtering
unit can be configured to: extract water from the separated wet garbage; and purify the
extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
[0025] In another aspect, the water filtering unit can include at least one filter, the at
least one filter can be a graphene coated polyurethane (PU) foam based filter that can be
configured with one or more bamboo fibers/fibres. The at least one filter can be adapted to
purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
[0026] In another aspect, the graphene coated PU foam based filter can be adapted to
implement graphene sand in order to purify the extracted water.
[0027] In an aspect, the vessel can be a robotic vessel. The vessel can be selected
from any of a boat, ship, ferry, yacht and watercraft.
[0028] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a robotic vessel for
cleaning a water body. The robotic vessel can include: a garbage collecting unit can include
at least one conveyor belt configured with a net, the at least one conveyor belt configured
with the net that can be adapted to collect garbage from the water body such that the collected
garbage can include wet garbage and dry garbage; a garbage separating unit that can be
operatively coupled to the garbage collecting unit, the garbage separating unit can include at
least one sieve adapted to separate the dry garbage and the wet garbage from the collected
garbage; and a garbage storing unit that can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating
unit. The garbage storing unit can include at least two containers that can include at least one
first container and at least one second container. The at least one first container and the at
6
least one second container can be adapted to store the separated dry garbage and the wet
garbage respectively.
[0029] In another aspect, the robotic vessel can include a garbage compressing unit
that can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit. The garbage compressing unit
can be configured to compress the separated dry garbage to increase space for storage in the
at least one first container.
[0030] In another aspect, the robotic vessel can include a water filtering unit that can
be operatively coupled to the garbage storing unit. The water filtering unit can be configured
to: extract water from the separated wet garbage; and purify the extracted water by removing
solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
[0031] In another aspect, the water filtering unit of the robotic vessel can include at
least one filter. The at least one filter can be a graphene coated polyurethane (PU) foam based
filter that can be configured with one or more bamboo fibers, and the at least one filter can be
adapted to purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the
extracted water. The graphene coated PU foam based filter can be adapted to implement
graphene sand in order to purify the extracted water.
[0032] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for cleaning a
water body. The method can include steps of: collecting, by using at least one conveyer belt
configured with a net that can be operatively coupled with a vessel placed in the water body,
garbage from the water body such that the collected garbage can include wet garbage and dry
garbage; separating, by using at least one sieve of a garbage separating unit, the dry garbage
and the wet garbage from the collected garbage; and storing, by using at least one first
container and at least one second container of a garbage storing unit, the separated dry
garbage and the wet garbage respectively. The method can further include steps of:
compressing, by using a garbage compressing unit, the separated dry garbage to increase
space for storage in the at least one first container; extracting, by using a water filtering unit,
water from the separated wet garbage; and purifying, by using the water filtering unit, the
extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
[0033] In an aspect, at the step of purifying, the water filtering unit can include at
least one filter. The at least one filter can be a graphene coated polyurethane (PU) foam based
filter that can be configured with one or more bamboo fibers. The at least one filter can be
adapted to purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the
extracted water.
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[0034] In an embodiment, the system within the scope of this application it is
expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out
in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings,
and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any
combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all
embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
[0035] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject
matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent
like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the
present disclosure, and wherein:
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary module representation of system for cleaning a
water body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram representation of method for
cleaning a water body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of robotic vessel
for cleaning a water body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary schematic representation for cleaning a water
body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system in which or with which embodiments of
the present invention can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure
depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly
communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit
the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
8
[0043] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be
apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced
without some of these specific details.
[0044] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be
described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied
in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or specialpurpose
processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps
may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human
operators.
[0045] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more
machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with
appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus
for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more
computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems
containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with
various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be
accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0046] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or
“might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not
required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0047] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0048] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These
exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting
9
embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to
encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that
such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed
in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of
structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing
exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is
to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and
equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity,
details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the
invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present
invention.
[0049] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or
processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the
various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated
hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any
switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through
the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program
control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by
the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand
that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems
described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any
particular named element.
[0050] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program
product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon
instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to
perform a process. The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer-readable
storage medium” includes, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy
diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical
disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs),
programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically
erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of
media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer
programming code, such as software or firmware).A machine-readable medium may include
10
a non-transitory medium in which data may be stored and that does not include carrier waves
and/or transitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections.
Examples of a non-transitory medium may include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk or
tape, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash
memory, memory or memory devices. A computer-program product may include code and/or
machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a
program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination
of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to
another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data,
arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc.
may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing,
message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
[0051] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,
firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination
thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program
code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer-program product)
may be stored in a machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary
tasks.
[0052] Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various
configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system
where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in
a cloud computing system.
[0053] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for
infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or
limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the
"invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it
will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one
or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0054] All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and
all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain
embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification
11
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the
invention.
[0055] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a
claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent
art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of
filing.
[0056] The present disclosure relates to the field of water body cleaning/purifying
systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system, robotic vessel and
method for efficient cleaning of water bodies by removing industrial garbage and other
chemical pollutants from the water bodies in real-time.
[0057] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a system for cleaning a water
body. The system can include: a vessel placed in the water body; and at least one conveyor
belt configured with a net that can be operatively coupled to the vessel. The at least one
conveyor belt configured with the net that can be adapted to collect garbage from the water
body such that the collected garbage can include wet garbage and/or dry garbage. The system
can include: a garbage separating unit operatively coupled to the vessel and to the at least one
conveyor belt, the garbage separating unit can include at least one sieve that can be adapted
to separate the dry garbage and the wet garbage from the collected garbage; a garbage storing
unit that can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit, the garbage storing unit
can include at least two containers. The at least two containers can include at least one first
container and at least one second container, wherein the at least one first container and the at
least one second container can be adapted to store the separated dry garbage and the wet
garbage respectively.
[0058] In an aspect, the system can include: a garbage compressing unit that can be
operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit, and configured to compress the separated
dry garbage to increase space for storage in the at least one first container; and a water
filtering unit that can be operatively coupled to the garbage storing unit, the water filtering
unit can be configured to: extract water from the separated wet garbage; and purify the
extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water. The water
filtering unit can include at least one filter, the at least one filter can be a graphene coated
polyurethane (PU) foam based filter that can be configured with one or more bamboo fibers.
The at least one filter can be adapted to purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes
and impurities from the extracted water. The graphene coated PU foam based filter can be
adapted to implement graphene sand in order to purify the extracted water. The vessel can be
12
a robotic vessel. The vessel can be selected from any of a boat, ship, ferry, yacht, watercraft
and any other mobile vehicle to be moved in water.
[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary module representation of system for cleaning a
water body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0060] According to an embodiment, the system 100 can include one or more
processor(s) 102. The one or more processor(s) 102 can be implemented as one or more
microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central
processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on
operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) 102 are
configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory 104 of the
system 100. The memory 104 can store one or more computer-readable instructions or
routines, which can be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network
service. The memory 104 can include any non-transitory storage device including, for
example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash
memory, and the like.
[0061] Various components /units of the proposed system 100 can be implemented as
a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to
implement their one or more functionalities as elaborated further themselves or using
processors 102. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and
programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming
for the units may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machinereadable
storage medium and the hardware for units may include a processing resource (for
example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the
machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the
processing resource, implements the various units. In such examples, the system 100 may
include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing
resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be
separate but accessible to system 100 and the processing resource. In other examples, the
units may be implemented by electronic circuitry. A database may include data that is either
stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the other components
/units of the proposed system 100.
[0062] In an embodiment, the system 100 is provided for cleaning a water body. The
system can include a vessel 106 that can be placed in the water body; and a garbage
collecting unit 108 that can be operatively coupled to the vessel 106 and to the one or more
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processors 102. The garbage collecting unit 108 can include at least one conveyor belt that
can be configured with a net. The net can be operatively coupled with the vessel 106. The at
least one conveyor belt with the net can be adapted to collect garbage from the water body
such that the collected garbage can include wet garbage and dry garbage.
[0063] In an embodiment, the vessel 106 can be termed as any marine vehicle. The
marine vehicle can be selected from any of a boat, ship, ferry, yacht, watercraft etc. The
vessel 106 can be a robotic vessel as well.
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 can implement any other
existing or prior art garbage collecting technique other than the conveyor belt with the net in
order to collect the garbage present in or on the water body.
[0065] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include a garbage separating unit 110
that can be operatively coupled to the vessel 106 and to the garbage collecting unit 108. The
garbage separating unit 110 can be operatively coupled to the at least one conveyor belt and
to the one or more processors 102 as well. The garbage separating unit 110 can include at
least one sieve that can be adapted to separate the dry garbage and the wet garbage from the
collected garbage.
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the garbage separating unit 110 can implement
any other existing or prior art separating/sorting/differentiating technique other than the sieve
in order to separate the collected garbage.
[0067] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include a garbage storing unit 112 that
can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit 110 and to the one or more
processors 102. The garbage storing unit 112 can include at least two containers, wherein the
at least two containers can be at least one first container and at least one second container.
The at least one first container and the at least one second container can be adapted to store
the separated dry garbage and the wet garbage respectively.
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 can implement any other
existing or prior art garbage storing technique in order to store the separated dry garbage and
the wet garbage in an accurate and cost-effective manner.
[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second containers can be replaced
by any other storage means.
[0070] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include a garbage compressing unit 114
that can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit 110 and to the garbage storing
unit 112. The garbage compressing unit 114 can be configured to compress the separated dry
garbage to increase space for storage in the at least one first container.
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[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the garbage compressing unit 114 can also be
configured to compress the separated dry garbage as well.
[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 can implement any other
existing or prior art garbage/waste compressing technique as well in order to compress any or
a combination of wet garbage and dry garbage. By compressing the waste/ or garbage, more
garbage can be stored in the containers.
[0073] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include a water filtering unit 116 that
can be operatively coupled to the garbage storing unit 112, to the garbage compressing unit
114 and to the one or more processors 102. The water filtering unit 116 can be configured to:
extract water from the separated wet garbage; and purify the extracted water by removing
solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, the dry garbage can include some portion of
water.
[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the water filtering unit 116 can also be
configured to extract water from the separated dry garbage, and purify the extracted water
from the separated dry garbage by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted
water.
[0076] In an embodiment, the water filtering unit 116 can include at least one filter.
The at least one filter can be a graphene coated polyurethane (PU) foam based filter that can
be configured with one or more bamboo fibers. The at least one filter is adapted to purify the
extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 can use any other filtering
means as well in order to purify/filter the water.
[0078] In an embodiment, the graphene coated PU foam based filter can be adapted to
implement graphene sand in order to purify the extracted water. In an exemplary
embodiment, the water body can be river, sea, ocean, pond, lake, swimming pool etc.
[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, as mentioned-above, the word “unit” can
include a control unit, processing unit etc. A plurality of communication/network protocols,
learning/predefined algorithms can be implemented through the
processors/microcontrollers/microcomputers present in the control unit/processing unit in
order to implement any required particular task.
[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, the garbage can be marine waste, domestic
refuse, marine debris, detritus, marine trash, plastic bottles, plastic bags, food wrappers,
plastic utensils, beverage cans etc. waste materials that are well known in the art.
15
[0081] It would be appreciated that although the proposed system 100 has been
elaborated as above to include all the main units, it is conceivable that actual implementations
are well within the scope of the present disclosure, which can include without any limitation,
only a part of the proposed units or a combination of those or a division of those into subunits
in various combinations across multiple devices that can be operatively coupled with
each other, including in the cloud. Further, the units can be configured in any sequence to
achieve objectives elaborated. Also, it can be appreciated that proposed system 100 can be
configured in a computing device or across a plurality of computing devices operatively
connected with each other, wherein the computing devices can be any of a computer, a
laptop, a smart phone, an Internet enabled mobile device and the like. Therefore, all possible
modifications, implementations and embodiments of where and how the proposed system 100
is configured are well within the scope of the present invention.
[0082] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram representation of method for
cleaning a water body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0083] In an aspect, the method 200 as elaborated hereunder can be described in
general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable
instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures,
modules, functions, etc., that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract
data types. The method 200 can also be practiced in a distributed computing environment
where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable
instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including
memory storage devices.
[0084] According to an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 202,
collecting garbage from the water body by using at least one conveyer belt configured with
the net that can be operatively coupled to a vessel placed in the water. The collected garbage
can include wet garbage and dry garbage. In an exemplary embodiment, the method 200 can
implement collecting of garbage by any other means as well.
[0085] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 204, separating, by
using at least one sieve of a garbage separating unit, the dry garbage and the wet garbage
from the collected garbage. In an exemplary embodiment, the method 200 can implement
separating of the collected garbage by any other means as well.
[0086] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 206, storing, by using
at least one first container and at least one second container of a garbage storing unit, the
16
corresponding separated dry garbage and the wet garbage respectively. In an exemplary
embodiment, the method 200 can implement storing of the separated wet garbage and dry
garbage by any other means as well. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second
containers can be replaced by any other storage means.
[0087] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 208, compressing, by
using a garbage compressing unit, the separated dry garbage to increase space for storage in
the at least one first container.
[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 200 can also provide compressing of
the separated wet garbage to increase space for storage in the at least one second container as
well. In an exemplary embodiment, the method 200 can implement compressing of the
separated dry garbage and/or wet garbage by any other means as well.
[0089] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include steps of: at a step 210,
extracting, by using a water filtering unit, water from the separated wet garbage; and at a step
212, purifying, by using the water filtering unit, the extracted water by removing solid wastes
and impurities from the extracted water.
[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 200 can also implement any other
extracting and purifying techniques in order to extract and purify the extracted water
respectively.
[0091] In an embodiment, at the step 212 of purifying, the water filtering unit can
include at least one filter. The at least one filter can be a graphene coated polyurethane (PU)
foam based filter that can be configured with one or more bamboo fibers. The at least one
filter can be adapted to purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities
from the extracted water. In an exemplary embodiment, the vessel can be a robotic vessel.
The vessel can be any other marine vehicle that is well known in the art.
[0092] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of robotic vessel
for cleaning a water body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0093] In an embodiment, the vessel 300 is a robotic vessel to clean the water body.
The vessel 300 can include a garbage collecting unit 302 that can include at least one
conveyor belt configured with a net. The at least one conveyor belt with the net can be
adapted to collect garbage from the water body. The collected garbage can include any or a
combination of wet garbage and dry garbage.
[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the vessel 300 can be any other marine vehicle
that is well known in the art. The marine vehicle can be any of a boat, ship, ferry, yacht and
watercraft.
17
[0095] In an embodiment, the vessel 300 can include a garbage separating unit 304
that can be operatively coupled to the garbage collecting unit 302. The garbage separating
unit 304 can include at least one sieve that can be adapted to separate the dry garbage and the
wet garbage from the collected garbage.
[0096] In an embodiment, the vessel 300 can include a garbage storing unit 306 that
can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit 304. The garbage storing unit 306
can include at least two containers, and the at least two containers can include at least one
first container and at least one second container. The at least one first container and the at
least one second container can be adapted to store the separated dry garbage and the wet
garbage respectively.
[0097] In an embodiment, the vessel 300 can include a garbage compressing unit 308
that can be operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit 304 and to the garbage storing
unit 306. The garbage compressing unit 308 can be configured to compress the separated dry
garbage to increase space for storage in the at least one first container.
[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, the garbage compressing unit 308 can also be
configured to compress the separated wet garbage to increase space for storage in the at least
one second container.
[0099] In an embodiment, the vessel 300 can include a water filtering unit 310 that
can be operatively coupled to the garbage storing unit 306. The water filtering unit 310 can
be configured to: extract water from the separated wet garbage; and purify the extracted water
by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
[00100] In an embodiment, the water filtering unit 310 can include at least one filter.
The at least one filter can be a graphene coated polyurethane (PU) foam based filter that can
be configured with one or more bamboo fibers. The at least one filter can be adapted to purify
the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water. The
graphene coated PU foam based filter can be adapted to implement graphene sand to purify
the extracted water.
[00101] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary schematic representation for cleaning a water
body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00102] In an embodiment, a conveyor belt with nets attached to the boat (and/or
garbage collector net) can be used for collecting garbage from the river surface. By using
Sieves, sorting/differentiating/separating of the garbage can be performed. This can be
helpful in differentiating the dry and wet material, and can enable storing of the
corresponding dry material and the wet material into two different containers respectively.
18
[00103] In an embodiment, on dry wastage, compression is performed for increasing
more storage in the respective container.
[00104] In an embodiment, while collecting and/or separating the wet garbage, water is
extracted into the respective container. The extracted water is purified or filtered by using
water filters, and the purified water is supplied to the needed people and to be utilized for
daily purposes. The filters are capable of extracting solid waste and/or impurities from water.
[00105] In an embodiment, in water filters, bamboo fibers are used. A graphene coated
PU form can be activated and then with the use of graphene sand, cleaning of the extracted
water is feasible.
[00106] FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system in which or with which embodiments of
the present invention can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[00107] As shown in FIG. 5, computer system includes an external storage device 510,
a bus 520, a main memory 530, a read only memory 540, a mass storage device 550,
communication port 560, and a processor 570. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that
computer system may include more than one processor and communication ports. Examples
of processor 570 include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2
processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of
processors, FortiSOC™ system on a chip processors or other future processors. Processor
570 may include various modules associated with embodiments of the present invention.
Communication port 560 can be any of an RS-232 port for use with a modem-based dialup
connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using copper or fibre, a serial
port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. Communication port 560 may be chosen
depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or
any network to which computer system connects.
[00108] Memory 530 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamic
storage device commonly known in the art. Read only memory 540 can be any static storage
device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for
storing static information e.g., start-up or BIOS instructions for processor 570. Mass storage
550 may be any current or future mass storage solution, which can be used to store
information and/or instructions. Exemplary mass storage solutions include, but are not
limited to, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced
Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external,
e.g., having Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or Firewire interfaces), e.g. those available from
19
Seagate (e.g., the Seagate Barracuda 7200 family) or Hitachi (e.g., the Hitachi Deskstar
7K1000), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage,
e.g. an array of disks (e.g., SATA arrays), available from various vendors including Dot Hill
Systems Corp., LaCie, Nexsan Technologies, Inc. and Enhance Technology, Inc.
[00109] Bus 520 communicatively couples processor(s) 570 with the other memory,
storage and communication blocks. Bus 520 can be, e.g. a Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) / PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI),
USB or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives and other subsystems as well as other
buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects processor 570 to software system.
[00110] Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g. a display, keyboard,
and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus 520 to support direct operator
interaction with computer system. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be
provided through network connections connected through communication port 560. External
storage device 510 can be any kind of external hard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip
Drives, Compact Disc - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc - Re-Writable (CDRW),
Digital Video Disk - Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM). Components described above
are meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned
exemplary computer system limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[00111] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes
illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various
elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well
as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the
figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of
program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and
dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity
implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the
exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described
herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular
named.
[00112] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and
described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only.
Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent
20
to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as
described in the claim.
[00113] In the foregoing description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent,
however, to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, that the
present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, wellknown
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, to avoid
obscuring the present invention.
[00114] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled
to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to
each other contact each other)and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element
is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with"
are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled
with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a
network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the
network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[00115] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications
besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts
herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of
the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all
terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In
particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to
elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced
elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements,
components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers
to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text
should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus
N, etc.
[00116] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and
further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope
thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is
not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable
a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with
information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
21
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[00117] The present disclosure provides a system, a robotic vessel and method for
cleaning or purifying a water body.
[00118] The present disclosure provides a system, a robotic vessel and method for
cleaning or purifying a water body by collecting and removing garbage present in/on the
water body.
[00119] The present disclosure a system, a robotic vessel and method for cleaning or
purifying a water body by collecting and removing garbage present in/on the water body
automatically.
[00120] The present disclosure provides a simple and cost-effective system and a
robotic vessel for cleaning or purifying a water body by collecting and removing garbage
present in/on the water body.
[00121] The present disclosure a precise and time-efficient system, robotic vessel and
method for cleaning or filtering a water body by collecting and removing pollutants such as
garbage, plastic etc. present in/on the water body.
[00122] The present disclosure provides a system, robotic vessel and method for
cleaning or filtering a water body completely by collecting and removing garbage present
in/on the water body and without using any chemical based water filters.
[00123] The present disclosure provides a system, robotic vessel and method for
cleaning or filtering a water body completely by collecting and removing garbage present
in/on the water body in real-time and with reduced labour.

We Claim:
1. A system for cleaning a water body, the system comprising:
a vessel placed in the water body;
at least one conveyor belt configured with a net operatively coupled to the vessel,
the at least one conveyor belt with the net adapted to collect garbage from the water
body such that the collected garbage comprising wet garbage and dry garbage;
a garbage separating unit operatively coupled to the vessel and to the at least one
conveyor belt, the garbage separating unit comprising at least one sieve adapted to
separate the dry garbage and the wet garbage from the collected garbage;
a garbage storing unit operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit, the
garbage storing unit comprising at least two containers, wherein the at least two
containers comprising at least one first container and at least one second container,
the at least one first container and the at least one second container adapted to store
the separated dry garbage and the wet garbage respectively;
a garbage compressing unit operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit
and to the garbage storing unit, and configured to compress the separated dry
garbage to increase space for storage in the at least one first container; and
a water filtering unit operatively coupled to the garbage storing unit, the water
filtering unit configured to:
extract water from the separated wet garbage; and
purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the
extracted water.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water filtering unit comprises at least one
filter, the at least one filter is a graphene coated polyurethane (PU) foam based filter
configured with one or more bamboo fibers, and wherein the at least one filter is adapted
to purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted
water.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the graphene coated PU foam based filter is
adapted to implement graphene sand to purify the extracted water.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vessel is a robotic vessel.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vessel is selected from any of a boat, ship,
ferry, yacht and watercraft.
6. A robotic vessel for cleaning a water body, the robotic vessel comprising:
23
a garbage collecting unit comprises at least one conveyor belt configured with a
net, the at least one conveyor belt with the net adapted to collect garbage from the
water body such that the collected garbage comprising wet garbage and dry garbage;
a garbage separating unit operatively coupled to the garbage collecting unit, the
garbage separating unit comprising at least one sieve adapted to separate the dry
garbage and the wet garbage from the collected garbage;
a garbage storing unit operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit, the
garbage storing unit comprising at least two containers, wherein the at least two
containers comprising at least one first container and at least one second container,
the at least one first container and the at least one second container adapted to store
the separated dry garbage and the wet garbage respectively;
a garbage compressing unit operatively coupled to the garbage separating unit,
and configured to compress the separated dry garbage to increase space for storage
in the at least one first container; and
a water filtering unit operatively coupled to the garbage storing unit, the water
filtering unit configured to:
extract water from the separated wet garbage; and
purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the
extracted water.
7. The robotic vessel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the water filtering unit comprises at
least one filter, and wherein the at least one filter is a graphene coated polyurethane (PU)
foam based filter configured with one or more bamboo fibers, and wherein the at least
one filter is adapted to purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and
impurities from the extracted water.
8. The robotic vessel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the graphene coated PU foam based
filter is adapted to implement graphene sand to purify the extracted water.
9. A method for cleaning a water body, the method comprising steps of:
collecting, by using at least one conveyer belt configured with the net operatively
coupled to a vessel placed in the water, garbage from the water body such that the
collected garbage comprising wet garbage and dry garbage;
separating, by using at least one sieve of a garbage separating unit, the dry
garbage and the wet garbage from the collected garbage;
storing, by using at least one first container and at least one second container of a
garbage storing unit, the separated dry garbage and the wet garbage respectively;
24
compressing, by using a garbage compressing unit, the separated dry garbage to
increase space for storage in the at least one first container;
extracting, by using a water filtering unit, water from the separated wet garbage;
and
purifying, by using the water filtering unit, the extracted water by removing solid
wastes and impurities from the extracted water.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein at the step of purifying, the water filtering
unit comprises at least one filter, the at least one filter is a graphene coated polyurethane
(PU) foam based filter configured with one or more bamboo fibers, and wherein the at
least one filter is adapted to purify the extracted water by removing solid wastes and impurities from the extracted water.