Hybrid mobile buoy for persistent surface and underwater exploration
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a buoyant body configured to float on water;
a battery;
an array of solar panels and power management circuitry configured to charge the battery;
a sensor configured to detect underwater objects;
at least one propeller or rotor configured to cause the apparatus to fly; and
a computing system configured to facilitate communication with other buoys, conduct underwater sensing, and control motion of the apparatus, wherein the computing system is configured to cause the apparatus to fly to keep pace with an underwater object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid buoy system capable of aerial operation, that in some embodiments includes a wireless communication technology to allow communication with other buoys and/or an external system. In some embodiments, a swarm of buoys may be capable of surface and/or air operation. These buoys may work together to perform collective tasks that individual buoys are not capable of. Buoy swarms may be programmed for cooperative and swarm behaviors for use in a broad spectrum of missions. At least some of the buoys may be configured for specialized sensing, increasing the collective sensing capabilities of the swarm. A mixed, swappable sensor suite may be used to accommodate an array of marine exploration applications, including both military and civilian applications.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a buoyant body configured to float on water; a battery; an array of solar panels and power management circuitry configured to charge the battery; a sensor configured to detect underwater objects; at least one propeller or rotor configured to cause the apparatus to fly; and a computing system configured to facilitate communication with other buoys, conduct underwater sensing, and control motion of the apparatus, wherein the computing system is configured to cause the apparatus to fly to keep pace with an underwater object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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detecting an underwater object with a first buoy; communicating from the first buoy to a plurality of other buoys that the object was detected; flying the first buoy or another buoy to a predetermined height, thereby generating a flying buoy; communicating from by the flying buoy to an external system that the object was detected; joining new buoys in tracking the object when the object moves into range of the new buoys; and terminating tracking of the object by buoys when the object moves out of range. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A flying buoy comprising:
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a buoyant body configured to float on water; a sensor support member having a first end and a second end, where the first end is attached to the buoyant body, and where the sensor support member is attached to the buoyant body such that the sensor support member extends under the water when the buoyant body floats on water and the second end of the sensor support member is under the water when the buoyant body floats on water; a sensor attached to the second end of the sensor support member and displaced from the buoyant body such that the sensor is under the water when the buoyant body floats on water; and a plurality of rotors where each rotor in the plurality of rotors is fixably attached to the buoyant body such that the each rotor is above the water when the buoyant body floats on water, and where the each rotor is oriented to direct a thrust in a direction away from a surface of the water when the buoyant body floats on water. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification