Self-Propelled Spherical Buoy Without Tethers or Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional navigational buoys pose a risk to marine life due to entanglement in chains or ropes used for anchoring, while also requiring invasive anchoring systems to maintain geographic position.
Innovation Solution
The development of a navigational buoy with an internal wheeled-motor unit that maintains geographic position without tethers or anchors, using a finned, spherical shell that rotates to move laterally on the water, powered by solar panels or energy harvesting from wave motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If chains, ropes, cables, or shafts connect the buoy to an underwater anchoring device, then the buoy maintains a constant geographic position, but marine mammals entangle themselves in the chains or rope and drown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the anchoring system (chains, ropes, cables, or shafts) from the buoy design, extracting the harmful component that causes marine life entanglement while retaining the buoy's ability to maintain geographic position through alternative means
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical anchoring system is replaced with an internal wheeled-motor unit that uses friction between the wheels and the inner surface of the spherical shell to generate rotational motion, substituting a harmful mechanical tether system with a self-contained propulsion mechanism
2Stability of the object's composition
If a tether and anchor system is used, then the buoy maintains geographic position, but the system complexity increases and marine life safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex external anchoring system is completely removed from the design, simplifying the overall structure by eliminating the need for tethers, anchors, and associated hardware while maintaining the buoy's positional stability function
Solution Approach 2:
The buoy becomes self-sufficient by incorporating an internal wheeled-motor unit that autonomously maintains geographic position through controlled rotation of the spherical shell, eliminating the need for external anchoring infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for safe and sustainable marine navigation by preventing marine life entanglement and maintaining navigational accuracy without invasive anchoring systems, while also being self-sustaining through energy harvesting techniques.
Implementation Method 1
friction between the sphere and the motor unit wheels causes the sphere, rather than the motor unit, to move when the motor unit wheels rotate
Implementation Method 2
Fins attached to the shell's exterior cause it to roll, rather than slip, on the surface of the water
Implementation Method 3
solar panels and a solar battery power the unit
Implementation Method 4
a microprocessor, antenna, and GPS receiver control the position of the unit
Data Source
AI summary
A navigational buoy that includes a finned, hollow, transparent, spherical shell that floats on water. A multi-wheeled motor-unit sits inside the shell, and ballast weights attached to the motor unit cause it to rest on the bottom of the shell. A biasing structure attached to the motor unit, lights, and other aspects are included in some embodiments.