Mobile energy harvesting device for energy generation, conversion, and delivery

Abstract

A mobile energy harvesting device and method for using the same are described. In one embodiment, the device comprises a hull with a steering system, wherein the steering system steers the device. The device also includes a sail coupled to the hull and configured to propel the mobile energy harvesting device. An energy storage device is coupled to the hull and is configured to store energy. The device also further includes one or more energy generation devices configured to produce energy to be stored in the energy storage device. A control system is positioned in the hull and includes a control center communicatively coupled to a sensor, wherein the sensor detects input and communicates the input to the control center and the control center communicates with the steering system to steer the mobile energy harvesting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile energy harvesting device for use in a body of water, the mobile energy harvesting device comprising:
 a hull configured to float on a body of water;   a steering system coupled to the hull, wherein the steering system is configured to steer the mobile energy harvesting device in the body of water;   a sail coupled to the hull and configured to propel the mobile energy harvesting device;   an energy storage device coupled to the hull and configured to store energy;   one or more energy generation devices coupled to the hull and configured to produce energy to be stored in the energy storage device by converting solar, wave, or wind energy to electrical energy; and   a control system coupled to the hull, the control system comprising a control center communicatively coupled to a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect one or more environmental inputs and to communicate the one or more environmental inputs to the control center, and wherein the control center communicates with the steering system to steer the mobile energy harvesting device based on the one or more environmental inputs.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more energy generation devices comprises one or more of a solar panel, a hydrogenerator, a wave energy generator, or a wind turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 2 , wherein the solar panel is coupled to one the sail, the solar panel being configured to convert solar energy to electrical energy and to deliver the electrical energy to the energy storage device. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 2 , wherein the sail comprises two or more solar panels. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 2 , wherein the wave energy generator comprises:
 a generator shaft configured to rotate; and   an extending member coupled to the generator shaft, wherein movement of the hull moves the extending member, and the movement of the extending member rotates the generator shaft and generates rotational energy, and   wherein the wave energy generator converts rotational energy generated from the shaft to electrical energy, and delivers the electrical energy to the energy storage device.   
     
     
         6 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 5 , wherein the generator shaft is coupled to two or more extending members. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogenerator is configured to convert energy from movement of water or wind relative to the hull to electrical energy and deliver the electrical energy to the energy storage device. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is one of a plurality of sensors, and wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to collect data for navigation, the plurality of sensors comprising one or more of a wind magnitude and direction sensor, a magnetometer, an accelerometer, or a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors are positioned on or in the hull. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 8 , wherein the control system adjusts one or more of a speed or a direction of the mobile energy harvesting device based on input from the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to operate an actuation device to control a rudder of the steering system. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device is one or more of a battery or a hydrogen tank. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to detect a storage level of the energy storage device. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile energy harvesting device navigates to a start point when the energy storage device reaches a predetermined storage level, the predetermined storage level being a percentage of a total storage level of the energy storage device. 
     
     
         15 . A mobile energy harvesting device, the mobile energy harvesting device comprising:
 a hull comprising a front end longitudinally spaced from a rear end, a first side laterally spaced from a second side, and a top portion opposite a bottom portion;   a steering system coupled to the hull, wherein the steering system steers the mobile energy harvesting device;   a keel coupled to the bottom portion and extending below the hull;   a sail coupled to the hull and configured to propel the mobile energy harvesting device;   an energy storage device coupled to the hull and configured to store energy;   one or more energy generation devices configured to produce energy to be stored in the energy storage device, the one or more energy generation devices comprising one or more of a solar panel, a hydrogenerator, a wave energy generator, or a wind turbine; and   a control system positioned in the hull and configured to communicate with the steering system to steer the mobile energy harvesting device,   wherein the solar panel converts solar energy to electrical energy, the hydrogenerator converts energy from movement of fluid relative to the hull to electrical energy, and the wave energy generator converts energy generated from movement of the hull into electrical energy.   
     
     
         16 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of sensors for navigation, the plurality of sensors comprising one or more of a wind magnitude and direction sensor, a magnetometer, an accelerometer, or a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile energy harvesting device of  claim 15 , wherein the control system is configured to detect a storage level of the energy storage device, and the mobile energy harvesting device navigates to a start point when the energy storage device reaches a predetermined storage level, the predetermined storage level being a percentage of total storage level of the energy storage device. 
     
     
         18 . A method of generating energy by a mobile energy harvesting device, the method comprising:
 receiving input relating to environmental conditions by one or more sensors of the mobile energy harvesting device;   controlling, by a control system, movement of the mobile energy harvesting device through a body of water by a steering system based on the input received from the one or more sensors, wherein the steering system comprises a sail;   generating energy by converting solar or wave energy using one or more energy generation devices of the mobile energy harvesting device; and   storing the generated energy in an energy storage device arranged in a hull of the mobile energy harvesting device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 detecting a storage level of the energy storage device; and   moving the mobile energy harvesting device to a starting location when the storage level of the energy storage device reaches a predetermined level.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 controlling, by a control system, movement of the mobile energy harvesting device through a body of water by the steering system based on input from a remote device.