Autonomous wave-powered substance distribution vessels for fertilizing plankton, feeding fish, and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere

• US 8,825,241 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2012
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liquid Robotics, Inc. (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: Liquid Robotics, Inc. (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Hine, Roger G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOTT, GENNA M
• Application Number:
  US13/424,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20130006445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 414/137.7, 414/807, 414/225.01, 414/266, 700/28, 700/231, 700/240, 700/244, 700/91, 701/1, 701/2, 701/21, 701/101, 701/352, 701/99, 701/36, 701/31.4, 701/110, 701/19, 701/423, 701/102, 701/103, 701/104, 701/117, 701/119, 701/123, 701/14, 701/213, 701/24, 701/29.1, 701/29.4, 701/3, 701/301, 701/31.6, 701/33.4, 701/408, 701/415, 701/425, 701/48, 701/484, 701/517, 701/432, 701/70, 701/4, 701/22, 701/23, 701/25, 701/26, 701/29.3, 701/29.5, 701/30.2, 701/31.5, 701/34.2, 701/50, 701/300, 701/409, 701/411, 701/447, 701/448, 701/460, 701/467, 701/469, 701/470, 701/471, 701/472, 701/473, 701/495, 701/533, 701/482, 701/32.3, 701/32.4, 701/116, 340/7.48, 340/988, 342/146, 342/147, 342/159, 342/357.22, 342/91, 504/360, 705/26.8, 705/4, 705/5, 705/7.29, 114/1, 114/18, 114/21.3, 114/23, 114/36, 114/39.21, 114/39.26, 114/44, 114/56.1, 114/61.1, 114/61.15, 114/61.3, 114/63, 114/72, 114/73, 114/121, 114/124, 114/222, 114/230.1, 114/230.17, 114/230.19, 114/230.2, 114/242, 114/243, 114/245, 114/248, 114/249, 114/250, 114/255, 114/256, 114/258, 114/259, 114/263, 114/266, 114/274, 114/293, 114/312, 114/317, 114/320, 114/322, 114/326, 114/328, 114/330, 114/331, 114/337, 114/338, 114/343, 114/365, 114/382, 114/144.B, 114/65.R
• US Class Current: 701/21
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/00 Culture of aquatic animals receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria, A01K63/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/20 of zooplankton, e.g. water fleas or Rotatoria
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/80 Feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/90 Sorting, grading, counting or marking live aquatic animals, e.g. sex determination
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/007 autonomously operating
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/008 remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/66 Equipment specially adapted for towing underwater objects or vessels, e.g. fairings for tow-cables paravanes for dragging fishing nets A01K73/02; salvaging underwater vessels or objects B63C7/00; towed underwater vessels B63G8/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2209/18 solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/00 Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/007 by means of a physical link to a base, e.g. wire, cable or umbilical
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/425 for transporting cargo, e.g. submersible barges for fluid cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 1/32 Flaps, pistons, or the like, reciprocating in propulsive direction
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 19/02 by using energy derived from movement of ambient water, e.g. from rolling or pitching of vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/171 making use of photovoltaic energy conversion, e.g. using solar panels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2025/045 making use of satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. the Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/04 automatic, e.g. reacting to compass
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 2003/002 by using electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1886 using probes, e.g. submersible probes, buoys
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/49 : whereby the further system is an inertial position system, e.g. loosely-coupled
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 : specially adapted to water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/81 : Aquaculture, e.g. of fish
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/20 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/60 : Fishing; Aquaculture; Aquafarming
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 : Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

This invention provides a vessel system and methodology that can be used to promote growth of phytoplankton in the oceans. Unmanned self-controlled wave-powered vessels are equipped with storage units for dispensing a fertilizer, and with sensors to monitor ocean conditions and effects. Fleets of vessels move autonomously by on-board processing of GPS and directional information, piloting a path that is coordinated by a central processing unit. The vessels travel through a defined target area, creating a detailed survey of chemical and biological characteristics that affect grown. The data are processed in a computer model to identify precise locations and precise amounts of fertilizer that will produce the best results. Projected benefits of fertilizing plankton include sequestering CO₂ from the atmosphere, and enhancing the marine food chain to improve the fish stock in and around the treated area.

Claims

1. A fleet comprising:

(1) a plurality of autonomous substance distribution vessels, each of which comprises

a) a storage unit configured to release a solid substance into water in which the substance distribution vessel is traveling;

b) electronics configured to sense the geographical location of the vessel;

c) a microprocessor programmed to steer the vessel in accordance with its location; and

(2) one or more autonomous monitor vessels that comprise;

a) one or more sensors configured to determine a condition of water and/or air that is next to or nearby the monitor vessel; and

b) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit data from the sensors on the monitor vessel to the substance distribution vessels or a central control unit;

wherein the microprocessor on each substance distribution vessel is programmed to adjust release from the storage unit according to data received from the monitor vessels either directly or by way of the central control unit in accordance with the location of the substance distribution vessel.

2. A method of distributing a solid substance in a defined area of a body of water, comprising:

operating a fleet of vessels according to claim 1 to travel within said defined area and release the substance from the substance distribution vessels according to a condition of water and/or air that is measured next to or nearby the monitor vessels.

3. The fleet according to claim 1, wherein the substance distribution vessels releasably contain a substance that fertilizes growth of phytoplankton and/or zooplankton.

4. A fleet comprising:

(1) a plurality of autonomous substance distribution vessels, each of which comprises;

a) a storage unit configured to release a solid substance into water in which the substance distribution vessel is traveling;

b) electronics configured to sense the geographical location of the vessel;

c) a microprocessor programmed to steer the vessel in accordance with its location; and

(2) one or more autonomous monitor vessels, wherein said monitor vessels comprise;

a) one or more sensors configured to determine a condition of water and/or air that is next to or nearby the vessel;

b) a microprocessor programmed to determine locations for distribution of a substance stored in the substance distribution vessels; and

c) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the locations determined in step (b) to the substance distribution vessels;

wherein the microprocessor on each substance distribution vessel is programmed to receive a location determined by the monitor vessels, navigate the substance distribution vessel to the location, and release a substance from the vessel'"'"'s storage unit upon reaching the location.

5. A method of distributing a solid substance in a defined area of a body of water, comprising:

operating a fleet of vessels according to claim 4 to travel within said defined area and release the substance from the substance distribution vessels at locations determined by the monitor vessels.

6. The fleet according to claim 4, wherein the substance distribution vessels releasably contain a substance that fertilizes growth of phytoplankton and/or zooplankton.

7. A central control unit for a water fertilization system, comprising:

a) a receiver configured to receive information from one or more autonomous monitor vessels, wherein the information from each vessel comprises;

i) the geographical location of that vessel, and

ii) data obtained from one or more sensors on the vessel regarding a condition of water and/or air that is next to or nearby the vessel;

b) a receiver configured to receive information from one or more autonomous substance distribution vessels that each has a storage unit containing fertilizer, wherein the information from each vessel comprises the geographical location of that vessel;

c) a microprocessor programmed to process said sensor data so as to determine instructions for each substance delivery vessel;

i) whether and how much of the fertilizer is to be dispensed; and

/or

ii) whether and where the vessel should travel;

d) a transmitter configured to send instructions from the microprocessor to each respective substance delivery vessel.

8. The central control unit of claim 7, wherein the monitor vessels and the substance distribution vessels are wave-powered.

9. The central control unit of claim 7, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to process said sensor data so as to determine navigation instructions to be transmitted to each substance delivery vessel by the transmitter.

10. The central control unit of claim 9, wherein the navigation instructions direct each substance delivery vessel to navigate to a target location where said fertilizer would provide a beneficial effect.

11. The central control unit of claim 9, wherein the navigation instructions direct each substance delivery vessel to stay within a defined area.

12. A water fertilization system, comprising:

a) a central control unit according to claim 7;

b) one or more autonomous monitor vessels, each comprising;

i) electronics configured to sense the geographical location of the vessel;

ii) one or more sensors for determining a condition of water and/or air that is next to or nearby the vessel;

iii) a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit location data from the electronics and condition data from the sensors to the central control unit; and

c) one or more autonomous substance distribution vessels, each comprising;

i) a storage unit containing fertilizer for distribution in a body of water;

ii) electronics configured to sense the geographical location of the vessel;

iii) a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit location data from the electronics to the central control unit; and

iv) a receiver configured to receive fertilizer release instructions and navigation instructions from the central control unit.

13. The water fertilization system of claim 12, wherein the monitor vessels and the substance distribution vessels are wave-powered.

14. The water fertilization system of claim 13, wherein the monitor vessels and the substance distribution vessels each comprise:

i) a float;

ii) a swimmer; and

iii) one or more tethers connecting the float to the swimmer;

wherein the float contains said electronics, and is buoyed to travel on or near the surface of a body of water; and

wherein the swimmer is weighted to travel in the water below the float, and is configured to pull the float by way of the tether, the swimmer comprising fin surfaces that mechanically provide forward thrust when actuated by rising and falling of the swimmer in the water.

15. The water fertilization system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the vessels has an acoustic modem that receives data from a separate monitor positioned at a defined depth, or near the bottom of the body of water upon which the vessel is traveling.

16. The water fertilization system of claim 15, wherein the separate monitor comprises one or more sensors selected from a sensor that measures CO₂, a fish counting sonar, an acoustic fish tag receiver, an acoustic Doppler current profiler, a water quality sensor, and an image capture device.

17. The water fertilization system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the vessels pulls a tow body that contains a relay modem and/or a sensor such as an active sonar for imaging schools of fish and other marine life.

18. The water fertilization system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter and the receiver on each of the vessels is configured to communicate with a central control unit by satellite.