Ocean observation device

Abstract

This floating-type ocean observation device 1 comprises a wind cup-type anemometer 12 provided with a lock mechanism for controlling whether wind cups rotate or not.

Description

Ocean observation equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ocean observation device.

[0002] In oceanographic observations using buoys, observations are mainly carried out in a state of drift due to ocean currents, wind power, etc. Due to the difficulty of securing power, observations are carried out in a power-saving manner by storing electricity using solar power. Non-Patent Document 1 describes a method of drifting or mooring an oceanographic observation buoy to achieve relatively inexpensive oceanographic observations.

[0003] “Spotter buoy”, [online], [searched July 31, 2023], <URL: https: / / www.sofarocean.com / products / spotter> “Introducing the Wave Glider”, [online], [searched July 31, 2023], <URL: https: / / www.info.liquid-robotics.com / japan>

[0004] However, the ocean observation buoy of Non-Patent Document 1 cannot be autonomously controlled for movement, and the ocean observation device of Non-Patent Document 2 can be controlled for movement, but is large and expensive.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can achieve a certain degree of movement control in a floating ocean observation device.

[0006] An oceanographic observation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a floating oceanographic observation device that includes a cup-type anemometer equipped with a locking mechanism that controls whether or not the cup rotates.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a technology can be provided that enables a certain degree of movement control in a floating ocean observation device.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a floating oceanographic observation device. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a locking mechanism. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the oceanographic observation device. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the processing flow when the oceanographic observation device performs oceanographic observation. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the processing flow when the oceanographic observation device controls movement.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The ocean observation buoy in Non-Patent Document 1 performs ocean observations using power from solar storage and transmits observation data via a communication satellite. However, since the ocean observation buoy cannot autonomously control its movement, it remains drifting with ocean currents.

[0011] Therefore, in this embodiment, a certain degree of movement control is achieved for a floating oceanographic observation device. However, since observations are conducted on the ocean, no electricity is required for movement of the oceanographic observation device, and a simple mechanism is required in consideration of the effects of salt damage.

[0012] To achieve this type of movement control using a simple, power-free mechanism, this embodiment uses a cup-type anemometer. A locking mechanism is added inside the cup-type anemometer, and this locking mechanism controls whether the cup rotates. When locked, the rotation of the cup is stopped, allowing for power-free movement under the influence of wind force. When unlocked, the rotation of the cup is not stopped, allowing wind speed observations to be performed using wind force.

[0013] In this way, in situations where it is difficult to secure power for transportation, the locking mechanism added to the cup-type anemometer controls whether the cup rotates, making it possible to control the effects of wind force and obtain a certain degree of control over transportation.

[0014] Furthermore, since the gain and loss of wind power is controlled by a simple locking mechanism, which is formed inside the cup anemometer, the increase in the failure rate of the oceanographic observation device 1 due to the addition of the locking mechanism can be suppressed, the effects of salt damage, etc. can be prevented, and a maintenance-free oceanographic observation device 1 can be realized.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a floating oceanographic observation device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0016] The oceanographic observation device 1 of this embodiment includes a cup-type anemometer 12 with a locking mechanism on top of an oceanographic observation buoy 11 .

[0017] The ocean observation buoy 11 is formed of a roughly spherical housing 111, and is provided with a solar panel 112 on the top of the housing 111 and a weight 113 on the bottom. This configuration is one example, and any buoy capable of conducting ocean observations may be used. For example, the ocean observation buoy 11 can be the ocean observation buoy described in Non-Patent Document 1.

[0018] The cup anemometer 12 includes three hemispherical cups 121 connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) at 120-degree intervals, and measures wind speed based on the rotational speed of the cups 121, which rotate when exposed to wind. This configuration is also an example. The number of cups 121 may be one or more. Existing cup anemometers can be used. However, this embodiment includes a locking mechanism that controls whether or not the cups 121 rotate. The locking mechanism is formed, for example, inside the portion designated by the reference numeral 122.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the locking mechanism according to this embodiment.

[0020] The locking mechanism of this embodiment includes a protrusion 124 attached to the side of the rotation shaft 123 of the cup 121, and a stopper 125 that is movable up and down.

[0021] Stopper 125 is driven by power from solar panel 112 shown in Figure 1 and is driven by a lock control signal, which will be described later. When stopper 125 is raised, it collides with convex body 124, which revolves around rotating shaft 123, stopping the rotation of rotating shaft 123 and also stopping the rotation of cup 121. When stopper 125 is lowered, the collision with convex body 124 ends, and rotating shaft 123 and cup 121 become rotatable.

[0022] This locking mechanism is also one example. Any mechanism capable of controlling whether or not the rotating shaft 123 rotates using a lock control signal will suffice. Because it has a simple structure consisting of the protrusion 124 and the stopper 125, the locking mechanism does not increase the failure rate significantly. Furthermore, because the locking mechanism is formed inside the cup anemometer 12, it can be protected from salt damage.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the ocean observation device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0024] The ocean observation buoy 11 of this embodiment comprises a solar panel 112, a solar storage unit 114, an environmental data observation mechanism 115, an environmental data observation unit 116, a position data acquisition unit 117, a satellite communication unit 118, an antenna 119, and a locking mechanism control unit 120.

[0025] The solar panel 112 is a device that converts sunlight into energy to generate electricity.

[0026] The solar power storage unit 114 stores the electricity generated by the solar panel 112 and supplies the electricity to each functional unit of the ocean observation buoy 11 and the cup-type anemometer with locking mechanism 12 .

[0027] The environmental data observation mechanism 115 is a mechanism for observing environmental data such as wave height, sea surface temperature, etc. For example, the environmental data observation mechanism 115 is a water thermometer or the like.

[0028] The environmental data observation unit 116 has the function of acquiring environmental data such as wave height and sea surface temperature from the environmental data observation mechanism 115, acquiring wind speed from the cup-type anemometer with locking mechanism 12, and transmitting environmental data including the wind speed to the satellite communication unit 118.

[0029] The position data acquisition unit 117 has a function of acquiring current position data of the marine observation device 1 from the GPS 3 and transmitting the current position data to the satellite communication unit 118 .

[0030] The satellite communication unit (communication means) 118 has the function of associating environmental data including wind speed with the current position data of the marine observation device 1 and transmitting this data, along with current time data, from the antenna 119 via the communication satellite 5 to the observer terminal (not shown).

[0031] The lock mechanism control unit 120 has a function to control the lock mechanism of the cup anemometer 12 based on a lock control signal transmitted from the observer terminal. Specifically, when the lock mechanism control unit 120 receives a lock control signal indicating "lock," it raises the stopper 125 shown in Fig. 2, and when it receives a lock control signal indicating "unlock," it lowers the stopper 125.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow when the oceanographic observation device 1 performs oceanographic observation.

[0033] The oceanographic observation device 1 moves with the ocean current and performs real-time oceanographic observations while drifting. At this time, the locking mechanism is in the "unlocked" state, and the cup-type anemometer with locking mechanism 12 can measure wind speed.

[0034] The environmental data observation unit 116 acquires environmental data such as wave height and sea surface temperature observed by the environmental data observation mechanism 115, acquires wind speed observed by the cup-type anemometer with locking mechanism 12, and obtains environmental data including wind speed (step S101).

[0035] The position data acquisition unit 117 acquires current position data of the marine observation device 1 from the GPS 3 (step S102).

[0036] The satellite communication unit 118 associates the environmental data including the wind speed with the current position data of the marine observation device 1 and transmits them together with the current time data to the observer terminal via the communication satellite 5 (step S103).

[0037] The oceanographic observation device 1 repeatedly executes steps S101 to S103.

[0038] The observer terminal displays the current position of the ocean observation device 1 on a map, and stores and displays the current wave height, current sea surface temperature, and current wind speed in the measurement result item column. This allows the observer at the observer terminal to understand the current position and wind speed of the ocean observation device 1. In addition, by comparing the past position data received immediately before with the current position data, the observer can also understand the current wind direction.

[0039] The observer checks the wind direction and speed conditions and utilizes wind power to control the movement of the ocean observation device 1. Specifically, the observer checks the position data of the ocean observation device 1 as well as ocean current and wind speed forecast information for the sea area, and transmits a lock control signal to the ocean observation device 1 as necessary to correct the position of the ocean observation device 1 using wind power.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow when controlling the movement of the ocean observation device 1.

[0041] The lock mechanism control unit 120 receives a lock control signal from the observer terminal (step S201).

[0042] The lock mechanism control unit 120 raises the stopper 125 of the lock mechanism when the lock control signal is "locked," and lowers the stopper 125 when the lock control signal is "unlocked" (step S202).

[0043] Raising the stopper 125 stops the rotation of the cup 121, enabling autonomous movement without power through wind power. Lowering the stopper 125 causes the cup 121 to rotate, and autonomous movement is no longer possible. The gain or loss of wind power mobility can be determined according to various situations, such as slowing down or accelerating in fast currents, escaping from strong currents, or moving from an ocean current into an eddy.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the floating oceanographic observation device 1 is provided with a cup-type anemometer 12 equipped with a locking mechanism that controls whether the cup rotates, thereby achieving a certain degree of movement control. In other words, in oceanographic observations using a drifting buoy, while the main movement is caused by drift due to ocean currents, by controlling the influence of wind force, it is possible to achieve a certain degree of movement control without power consumption or maintenance, although complete movement control is not possible.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the locking mechanism is provided inside the cup anemometer 12, so that it is possible to prevent the influence of salt damage and the like, and to realize a more maintenance-free ocean observation device 1.

[0046] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] The functional units of the oceanographic observation device 1 shown in Fig. 2 can be realized using a general-purpose small computer equipped with a CPU, memory, storage, communication devices, etc. The program for the oceanographic observation device 1 can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, USB memory, CD, or DVD. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium. The program for the oceanographic observation device 1 can also be distributed via a communication network.

[0048] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Floating ocean observation device 3 GPS 5 Communication satellite 11 Ocean observation buoy 12 Cup-type anemometer with locking mechanism 111 Housing 112 Solar panel 113 Weight 114 Solar storage unit 115 Environmental data observation mechanism 116 Environmental data observation unit 117 Position data acquisition unit 118 Satellite communication unit 119 Antenna 120 Locking mechanism control unit 121 Cup 123 Rotating shaft 124 Convex body 125 Stopper

Claims

1. A floating marine observation device comprising a cup-type anemometer equipped with a locking mechanism that controls whether the cup rotates.

2. The marine observation device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is driven by power from a solar panel and is driven by a lock control signal transmitted via a communication means.

3. The marine observation device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is provided inside the cup-type anemometer.

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