Buoy for automated data collection and transmittal
First Claim
1. A method for automated collection and transmittal of data from a sea ice floe, said method comprising the steps of:
- selecting a buoy having a white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) housing material that does not disturb a thermal gradient in the ice; and
also has optical properties such that said buoy reflects similar amounts of shortwave radiation as surrounding snow and ice, said housing incorporating multiple enclosed sections,wherein said housing sections are readily separated for ease of storage and transport;
buoyant installing material in one of said multiple sections centered approximately midway along a longitudinal axis of said buoy, wherein said buoyant material prevents the loss of buoyancy in the event of leakage of water into said housing and also restricts convective heat transfer in said housing;
positioning a righting device in the bottommost of said multiple sections;
wherein said righting device maintains proper orientation of said buoy, said buoy requiring no external support;
installing electrically powered devices comprising;
at least one sensor for gathering data;
at least one data logger in operable communication with said at least one sensor, said data logger for storing said data;
at least one transmitter in operable communication with said at least one data logger;
at least one transmitter for transmitting said stored data; and
at least one antenna in operable communication with said transmitter, said antenna for receiving said data from said transmitter and broadcasting said data;
installing wiring and releasable wiring connectors for connecting and releasing said electrically powered devices; and
deploying said buoy down an opening in said sea ice floe.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A buoy for automated collection and transmittal of data. Select embodiments allow calculation of mass balance using data collected from an ice floe. The buoy is adapted to be inserted into the water through an opening in ice so that the buoy floats with the ice floe, the top of the buoy protruding above the surface of the ice floe. The buoy walls are constructed of white PVC. One section of the buoy incorporates closed cell foam for maintaining buoyancy and a bottom section houses a counterweight for maintaining proper orientation of the buoy in the water, the buoy requiring no support from its surrounds while minimally impacting response of the surrounding ice to it. Multiple sensors are incorporated for gathering data and a satellite transmitter transmits the data to a remote user.
23 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for automated collection and transmittal of data from a sea ice floe, said method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a buoy having a white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) housing material that does not disturb a thermal gradient in the ice; and
also has optical properties such that said buoy reflects similar amounts of shortwave radiation as surrounding snow and ice, said housing incorporating multiple enclosed sections,wherein said housing sections are readily separated for ease of storage and transport; buoyant installing material in one of said multiple sections centered approximately midway along a longitudinal axis of said buoy, wherein said buoyant material prevents the loss of buoyancy in the event of leakage of water into said housing and also restricts convective heat transfer in said housing; positioning a righting device in the bottommost of said multiple sections; wherein said righting device maintains proper orientation of said buoy, said buoy requiring no external support; installing electrically powered devices comprising; at least one sensor for gathering data; at least one data logger in operable communication with said at least one sensor, said data logger for storing said data; at least one transmitter in operable communication with said at least one data logger; at least one transmitter for transmitting said stored data; and
at least one antenna in operable communication with said transmitter, said antenna for receiving said data from said transmitter and broadcasting said data;installing wiring and releasable wiring connectors for connecting and releasing said electrically powered devices; and deploying said buoy down an opening in said sea ice floe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification