System and method for a buoy drone and placement

• US 10,640,177 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2019
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2019
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peyton Webb Robertson
• Original Assignee: Peyton Webb Robertson
• Inventors: Robertson, Peyton Webb
• Primary Examiner(s): Vasudeva, Ajay
• Application Number:
  US16/373,279
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2022/006 specially adapted for measuring or watch purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/006 Unmanned surface vessels, e.g. remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/007 autonomously operating
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/18 having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2241/02 Design characterised by particular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/00 Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/002 unmanned
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/004 autonomously operating
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/001 Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations self-propelled or direction controlled diving chambers with mechanical link to a base B63C11/42

Abstract

An apparatus may include a drone buoy configured to float on a body of water. The drone buoy may include a first configuration. The drone buoy may include a second configuration, wherein the drone buoy may be configured to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a drone buoy configured to float on a body of water;

a first configuration;

a second configuration, wherein the drone buoy is configured to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration, wherein the drone buoy includes a first portion and a second portion; and

a hinge, wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled by the hinge to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration;

wherein the first portion includes a bow and extends along a first longitudinal axis and the second portion includes a stern and extends along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are disposed coaxially when in the first configuration, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are parallel when in the second configuration, wherein the drone buoy is configured for propulsion between different locations in a body of water in the first configuration, the drone buoy transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration while afloat for data gathering, and wherein the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to a waterline of the body of water when in the second configuration.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one propulsion system.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one propulsion system includes a propeller.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one propulsion system is housed in a pontoon.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a retractable tower.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a retractable mast, wherein the retractable mast is proximate the retractable tower.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the retractable mast includes at least one instrument.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the at least one instrument includes at least one of:

an anemometer;

a pyranometer;

a satellite antenna;

a meteorological/temperature gauge;

a pyrometer

a thermosalinograph;

a barometer; and

a Global Positioning System (GPS)-Aided INS.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first portion and the second portion transition between the first configuration and the second configuration by folding inwardly at the hinge.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a computing device configured to receive one or more instructions for the drone buoy to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a retractable tower and a retractable mast, wherein the retractable tower is proximate the retractable mast, wherein the retractable mast includes at least one instrument.