Variable Buoy Underwater Data System Depth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underwater data capture and transmission systems face challenges such as high costs, vulnerability to severe weather, vandalism, theft, and marine growth due to surface buoys, which require robust designs to withstand environmental exposures and avoid collisions.

Innovation Solution

An underwater data capture and transmission system featuring a variable buoy with a ballast system to adjust depth, a processing unit for data collection and transmission, and a tether connecting the base, processing unit, and buoy, allowing for remote control and secure data transmission, and the ability to submerge or surface based on detected conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surface buoys are used for data transmission, then data can be transmitted to remote locations, but the system becomes vulnerable to severe weather, vandalism, theft, and marine growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem vulnerabilityVSAvoidweather exposure and vandalism risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buoy system dynamically adjusts its depth position using a ballast system, transitioning between surface deployment for data transmission and submersion for protection. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the buoy to be exposed only when necessary for communication while submerged for protection during vulnerable periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the depth parameter of the buoy to alter its exposure to harmful factors. By controlling the buoy's vertical position through ballast adjustment, the system minimizes exposure to weather, vandalism, and marine growth while maintaining the ability to transmit data when positioned at the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If surface buoys are deployed for extended periods, then continuous data transmission is enabled, but marine growth encrustation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment durationVSAvoidmarine growth encrustation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buoy implements periodic submersion and surfacing cycles. During submersion periods, the buoy is protected from marine growth encrustation. During surfacing periods, data transmission occurs. This periodic action allows for extended overall deployment duration while minimizing cumulative exposure to marine growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If robust design is implemented to withstand severe weather, then system reliability improves, but cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweather resistanceVSAvoidsystem design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than designing a statically robust buoy to withstand all weather conditions, the system dynamically avoids severe conditions by submerging during storms and other adverse weather. This reduces the required structural robustness and overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through active avoidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of information

If the buoy remains at the surface for data transmission, then communication capability is maintained, but risk of collision with shipping and fishing vessels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buoy dynamically adjusts its surface presence based on detected vessel activity. When shipping or fishing vessels are detected in the area, the buoy submerges to avoid collision. When the area is clear, the buoy surfaces to maintain data transmission capability, thus resolving the contradiction between communication needs and collision risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces risks of damage and vandalism, minimizes marine growth, and provides a cost-effective, secure means for collecting oceanographic data without permanent infrastructure, enabling real-time data return and dynamic depth adjustments to avoid hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a ballast system configured to adjust a depth of the variable buoy in the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11401010B2Underwater data capture and transmission system having a variable buoy

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 CONTINENTAL SHELF ASSOC

AI summary

An underwater data capture and transmission system has a base configured to sink in water, at least one sensor configured to capture data while submerged in water, a processing unit configured to receive data collected by the sensor, and a variable buoy. The variable buoy has a ballast system configured to adjust a depth of the variable buoy in the water, and a communication device configured to transmit data to a remote communications device. The system further has at least one tether connecting at least the base, the processing unit, and the variable buoy.