Sensor Buoy Monitoring of Ocean Carbon Removal Product Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring ocean-based carbon dioxide removal devices and marine mass accumulation are imprecise, labor-intensive, and impracticable for large-scale deployments, with challenges including power limitations, susceptibility to seawater breaches, and fouling of sensors.

Innovation Solution

A floatable sensor buoy system with a power source, controller, and sensing module is used to monitor and collect data on target product accumulation, featuring a first member providing buoyancy and housing components, and a second member seeded with the target product, with sensors oriented to obtain characteristic data, and a scuttling device for controlled sinking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are deployed in ocean-based carbon dioxide removal devices to monitor target product accumulation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to power limitations and susceptibility to seawater breaches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A floatable sensor buoy acts as an intermediary between the ocean environment and the monitoring system. The buoy provides a stable, protected platform that houses sensors, power sources, and communication equipment, allowing accurate monitoring of target product accumulation without exposing critical components to harsh seawater conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses optical sensors and imaging devices to create visual copies or representations of the target product accumulation state. These optical measurements allow indirect observation of accumulation without requiring physical contact with the sample, reducing complexity while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If human observation methods are used to assess marine species growth, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and productivity deteriorate due to imprecision and labor intensity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidgrowth assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor buoy system operates autonomously without requiring continuous human intervention. Automated sensors continuously monitor target product accumulation, power management systems autonomously regulate energy consumption, and data is automatically transmitted to remote servers, enabling the system to serve itself and dramatically improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual human observation methods are replaced with automated electronic sensing systems. Optical sensors, imaging devices, and electronic data processing systems substitute for human visual inspection, eliminating labor intensity while significantly improving measurement precision and enabling continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If sensors are exposed to ocean environment for monitoring, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to fouling and seawater breaches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsensor reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor buoy employs sealed housings and protective membranes that shield sensors from direct exposure to seawater. These flexible yet protective enclosures allow the sensors to detect target product accumulation through controlled interfaces while preventing fouling and water breaches that would compromise reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: sensors are housed in protected compartments on the buoy, while the target product accumulates in separate containment structures. This segmentation allows the detection system to remain isolated from the ocean environment while maintaining its measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The system enables accurate, efficient monitoring and data collection for carbon sequestration, overcoming power limitations and environmental challenges, allowing for retrievable and reusable components.

Implementation Method 1

A floatable sensor buoy system with a power source, controller, and sensing module is used to monitor and collect data on target product accumulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS20260023064A1Systems and methods for monitoring ocean-based carbon dioxide removal devices and accumulation of a target product

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 KNUDSEN HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An apparatus includes a first member having a housing that encloses a power source and a controller, a second member coupled to the first member that is seeded with a target product, and a sensing module coupled to the first member to allow power from the power source to be transmitted to the sensing module and sensor data from the sensing module to be transmitted to the controller. The sensing module including a sensor oriented toward at least a portion of the second member. The sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with at least one characteristic of the target product.