Sensor assembly for use in body of water

Abstract

A sensor assembly for use in a body of water is provided. The sensor assembly can be deployed to a predetermined location to measure water parameters to aid in wave and current prediction. A plurality of sensor assemblies can form a measurement swarm, where each sensor assembly measures water and air parameters and communicates with the other sensor assemblies. The sensor assemblies can be controlled by a control system running a swarm algorithm and providing route planning.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor assembly for collecting data at a predetermined location in a body of water, the sensor assembly comprising:
 a buoyant base configured to float on a water surface;   a plurality of sensors arranged on the buoyant base and configured to collect environmental data;   a propulsion system configured to move the sensor assembly to a predetermined location; and   a control system comprising a GPS unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the propulsion system to maintain the sensor assembly at the predetermined location in the body of water.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a sail. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors measure at least one of wave height, wave slope, wave direction, wind speed, wind direction, surface current speed, surface current speed direction, humidity, or solar irradiance. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors measure at least one of surface water temperature, surface air temperature, surface air pressure, or salinity. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a solar panel for generating energy. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydroturbine for generating energy. 
     
     
         7 . A measurement swarm for collecting data at a predetermined location, the measurement swarm comprising:
 a plurality of sensor assemblies, each sensor assembly comprising:   a buoyant base configured to float on a water surface;   a plurality of sensors arranged on the buoyant base and configured to collect environmental data;   a propulsion system configured to move the sensor assembly to a predetermined location; and   a control unit comprising a GPS unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the propulsion system to maintain the sensor assembly at the predetermined location;   a control system in communication with the plurality of sensor assemblies to receive the collected data and to analyze the data to predict wave patterns.   
     
     
         8 . The measurement swarm of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sensor assemblies are in communication with one another. 
     
     
         9 . The measurement swarm of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sensor assemblies communicate with a base station that transmits data to the control system.