A marine monitoring buoy that can be maneuvered by sails
By installing wind sensors and motor drive systems on marine monitoring buoys, combined with remote terminals and positioning modules, precise control of sails and wind direction is achieved, solving the problem of buoys being unable to move accurately in existing technologies, and enabling precise data collection and target location attainment by the buoys.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHENZHEN UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing marine monitoring buoys with sails can only drift passively with the wind and ocean currents, lacking the ability to precisely control their movement path, which limits their application value in obtaining accurate data in specific target areas.
A marine monitoring buoy with a controllable sail was designed. The buoy detects the wind direction using a wind sensor, drives the sail to rotate using a motor-driven shaft, and makes the sail form a set angle with the wind direction. Combined with the target position sent by a remote terminal and the positioning module to determine the movement path, the buoy can be moved precisely.
It enables precise movement and remote control of buoys, ensuring that buoys can reach the target location according to the predetermined trajectory, collect accurate wind and wave data, and improve operational flexibility and data acquisition efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224277476U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of monitoring buoy technology, and in particular to a marine monitoring buoy with a controllable sail. Background Technology
[0002] Sailing buoys can move autonomously using the power of wind and waves at sea, thus showing broad application prospects in the field of marine data acquisition. Currently, these buoys are widely used in marine monitoring, efficiently performing data collection and transmission tasks, and providing important technical support for marine scientific research and management.
[0003] However, existing sailed buoys are typically passively drifting with the wind and currents, lacking precise control over their movement. This limitation severely restricts their application value in acquiring accurate data in specific target areas. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative designs for sailed marine monitoring buoys to improve their operational flexibility and efficiency, overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, and ensure that the buoys can move precisely along a predetermined trajectory, thereby acquiring more accurate and targeted oceanographic data. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a marine monitoring buoy with a controllable sail movement.
[0005] An embodiment of this utility model provides a marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail, comprising:
[0006] Lower cabin;
[0007] A rotating shaft, which is vertically arranged and whose lower end is rotatably connected to the lower compartment;
[0008] Three sails, each of which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and each of the sails is evenly spaced around the rotating shaft. Each sail is equipped with a wind sensor.
[0009] An electric motor is located inside the lower compartment and connected to the rotating shaft;
[0010] The processor connects to each of the wind sensors and the motor to obtain the current wind direction and controls the motor to rotate, thereby driving the rotating shaft to rotate and causing each of the sails to rotate, so that each of the sails is at a set angle to the current wind direction.
[0011] Furthermore, the sail is in the shape of a rectangular plate, with one side being a flat surface and the other side being a streamlined curved surface.
[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a remote terminal, which is wirelessly connected to the processor and is used to send the target position to the processor. The lower cabin is equipped with a positioning module, which is connected to the processor. The processor is used to obtain the current position from the positioning module and determine the movement path based on the current position and the target position, thereby determining the set angle between each of the sails and the current wind direction.
[0013] Furthermore, the lower compartment is a frustum-shaped structure with a diameter that gradually decreases from top to bottom.
[0014] Furthermore, the rotating shaft is coaxially arranged with the lower compartment.
[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a cylindrical outer shell, with each of the sails evenly spaced around the outer shell and fixedly connected to the outer shell, and the outer shell is fitted onto the rotating shaft.
[0016] Furthermore, the upper surface of the lower compartment is provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical upper compartment, and the lower end of the rotating shaft extends into the lower compartment and is connected to the motor.
[0017] Furthermore, the width of the sail is greater than the maximum radius of the lower cabin.
[0018] Furthermore, the center of gravity is located within the lower compartment.
[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a battery, which is disposed in the lower compartment and connected to the motor.
[0020] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this utility model are as follows:
[0021] 1. This utility model discloses a marine monitoring buoy with operable sail movement. It is placed on the sea surface with the lower cabin below the sea surface. The processor controls the motor to drive the rotating shaft to rotate, thereby driving each sail to rotate. Each sail is at a set angle to the current wind direction. At this time, the sail changes the direction of the wind force. The specific thrust generated by the wind blowing over the sail can drive the lower cabin to move in the direction required to reach the target position until it reaches the target position and collects wind and wave data. This solves the problem that marine monitoring buoys cannot control the direction of movement to collect specific data.
[0022] 2. The present invention relates to a marine monitoring buoy with controllable sail movement, which sends the target position to the processor via a remote terminal and determines the movement path based on the current position and the target position, thereby determining the set angle between the sail and the current wind direction. This allows the combined thrust generated by the wind on the three sails to act on the buoy in the direction required to move to the target position, ensuring that the buoy accurately reaches the target position and realizing remote control of the buoy.
[0023] 3. The present invention relates to a marine monitoring buoy with a controllable sail, wherein the sail surface adopts a streamlined curved surface, which has excellent aerodynamic performance, can improve sail thrust, and improve operational efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a marine monitoring buoy with a controllable sail, according to the present invention.
[0025] Figure 2 This is a top view of a marine monitoring buoy with a controllable sail, according to the present invention.
[0026] Figure 3 This is a front view of a marine monitoring buoy with a controllable sail, according to the present invention.
[0027] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the lower cabin, upper cabin, outer shell, and rotating shaft.
[0028] In the diagram: 1 / 2 / 3, sails; 4, outer shell; 5, upper cabin; 6, lower cabin; 7, rotating shaft. Detailed Implementation
[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description presents a preferred embodiment of several possible embodiments of this utility model, intended to provide a basic understanding of the utility model, but not intended to identify the key or decisive elements of the utility model or to limit the scope of protection sought.
[0030] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.
[0031] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.
[0032] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures. Also, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the figures are not drawn to actual scale.
[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the circuits, electronic components, and modules involved are all prior art, which can be fully implemented by those skilled in the art, and need not be elaborated upon. The scope of protection of this utility model does not involve improvements to the internal structure and methods of the circuits, electronic components, and modules.
[0034] It should be further noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0035] Please refer to Figures 1-4 The present invention provides a marine monitoring buoy with steerable sail movement, comprising a lower cabin 6, a rotating shaft 7, three sails, a motor, and a processor.
[0036] The lower compartment 6 is capable of floating on the sea surface, with its upper part located below the sea surface. To ensure that the lower compartment 6 can float stably on the sea surface, it can be made of a high-density material or equipped with counterweights.
[0037] The shape of the lower chamber 6 can be flexibly set according to actual monitoring needs. For example, in this embodiment, the lower chamber 6 is a frustum-shaped structure with a diameter that gradually decreases from top to bottom.
[0038] The rotating shaft 7 is vertically arranged and its lower end is rotatably connected to the lower compartment 6. Here, the rotating shaft 7 and the lower compartment 6 are coaxially arranged.
[0039] The three sails, namely sail 1, sail 2, and sail 3, are all fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 7, and are evenly spaced around the rotating shaft 7, that is, evenly spaced around the axis of the lower cabin 6. Each sail is equipped with a wind sensor, and the current wind direction can be detected by the three wind sensors.
[0040] The motor is located inside the lower cabin 6 and connected to the rotating shaft 7. The motor can drive the rotating shaft 7 to rotate, thereby driving each of the sails to rotate.
[0041] The width of the sail is generally greater than the maximum radius of the lower cabin 6. Even if the turning radius of the sail is greater than the maximum radius of the lower cabin 6, it is easier to propel the lower cabin 6.
[0042] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a marine monitoring buoy with steerable sails, which further includes a cylindrical outer shell 4, wherein each of the sails is evenly spaced around the outer shell 4 and fixedly connected to the outer shell 4, and the outer shell 4 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 7.
[0043] More specifically, the upper surface of the lower compartment 6 is provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical upper compartment 5, and the lower end of the rotating shaft 7 extends into the lower compartment 6 and is connected to the motor. Both the upper compartment 5 and the lower compartment 6 are sealed housings after installation.
[0044] The processor is located inside the lower compartment 6, connected to each of the wind sensors and the motor to obtain the current wind direction, and controls the motor to rotate, driving the rotating shaft 7 to rotate, thereby rotating each of the sails so that each sail forms a set angle with the current wind direction. It should be noted that the set angle determines the buoy's movement direction; that is, when the three sails are at different angles to the wind direction, the wind can generate propulsive forces in different directions on the buoy, thus causing the buoy to move in the desired direction. The relationship between the different angles of the three sails to the wind direction and the propulsive forces can be obtained through dynamic simulation.
[0045] In some embodiments, the marine monitoring buoy with maneuverable sails according to this invention further includes a remote terminal, which can be selected as a wireless remote controller capable of wireless communication with the processor. The remote terminal is wirelessly connected to the processor and is used to send the target position to the processor. A positioning module is provided in the lower compartment 6, which can be a GPS positioning module. The positioning module is connected to the processor, which obtains the current position from the positioning module and determines the movement path based on the current position and the target position. Based on the movement path, the required direction of movement of the buoy can be determined, and then the required propulsion direction can be determined from the required direction of movement, thereby determining the set angle between each sail and the current wind direction. The determination of the movement path and propulsion direction are existing technologies and will not be elaborated upon here.
[0046] In some embodiments, the sail is rectangular in shape, with one side being a flat surface and the other side being a streamlined curved surface. Thus, the streamlined curved surface optimizes wind energy capture efficiency, thereby enhancing the sail's propulsion.
[0047] To ensure stable movement of the buoy, its center of gravity is positioned within the lower hull 6, thereby lowering its center of gravity, improving its stability, and enhancing its wind resistance. For example, the sail can be made of lightweight, high-strength composite materials to further lower the overall center of gravity.
[0048] Furthermore, the marine monitoring buoy with steerable sails according to this invention also includes a battery, which is located in the lower compartment 6 and connected to the motor, providing power to the motor. Alternatively, a battery can be located in the upper compartment 5 to power the wind sensor and the data acquisition device mounted on the buoy.
[0049] This invention provides a marine monitoring buoy with maneuverable sails. When in operation, it floats on the sea surface, with the lower cabin 6 submerged under its own weight. To move to a target location, a processor controls a motor to drive a rotating shaft 7, which in turn rotates each sail, changing the angle between each sail and the current wind direction. This angle allows the sails to reach a predetermined position, and the specific thrust generated by the wind blowing across the sails propels the lower cabin in the desired direction until the target location is reached. Data acquisition devices within the sails collect wind and wave data. Alternatively, the target location can be sent to the processor via a remote terminal. Based on the current and target locations, a movement path is determined, and the required thrust direction is determined from the movement path, thus establishing the predetermined angle between the sails and the current wind direction. The processor then controls the motor to drive each sail to rotate at the predetermined angle, ensuring the buoy accurately reaches the target location, thus achieving remote buoy control.
[0050] In this document, the directional terms such as front, back, top, and bottom are defined based on the position of the components in the accompanying drawings and their relative positions to each other, solely for the purpose of clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that these are relative concepts and can vary depending on different methods of use and placement; the use of these directional terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application.
[0051] Where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features described above can be combined with each other. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail, characterized in that, include: Lower cabin; A rotating shaft, which is vertically arranged and whose lower end is rotatably connected to the lower compartment; Three sails, each of which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and each of the sails is evenly spaced around the rotating shaft. Each sail is equipped with a wind sensor. An electric motor is located inside the lower compartment and connected to the rotating shaft; The processor is located in the lower compartment and is connected to each of the wind sensors and the motor to obtain the current wind direction. It controls the motor to rotate, which drives the rotating shaft to rotate, thereby driving each of the sails to rotate, so that each of the sails is at a set angle to the current wind direction.
2. The marine monitoring buoy with steerable sail movement as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sail is rectangular in shape, with one side being a flat surface and the other side being a streamlined curved surface.
3. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a remote terminal, which is wirelessly connected to the processor and is used to send the target position to the processor. The lower cabin is equipped with a positioning module, which is connected to the processor. The processor is used to obtain the current position from the positioning module and determine the movement path based on the current position and the target position, thereby determining the set angle between each of the sails and the current wind direction.
4. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lower compartment is a frustum-shaped structure whose diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom.
5. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating shaft is coaxially arranged with the lower cabin.
6. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a cylindrical outer shell, with each of the sails arranged at even intervals around the outer shell and fixedly connected to the outer shell, and the outer shell being fitted onto the rotating shaft.
7. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the lower compartment is provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical upper compartment, and the lower end of the rotating shaft extends into the lower compartment and is connected to the motor.
8. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the sail is greater than the maximum radius of the lower cabin.
9. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The center of gravity is located in the lower compartment.
10. A marine monitoring buoy with a steerable sail as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a battery, which is located in the lower compartment and connected to the motor.