Cell buoy system

Abstract

A cellular communication system includes an array of buoys disposed in a body of water. Each buoy includes a completer cellular system including a cellular transmission/reception site and associated electrical equipment for processing cellular signals. Each buoy also includes a wave energy converter (WEC) responsive to waves in the body of water for generating electrical energy for powering the associated equipment processing the cellular signals, whereby the cellular system can be continuously operated without any additional power source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings (which are not drawn to scale) like reference characters denote like components; and

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a prior art land based cell tower, located along the coast of a land mass abutting a large body of water, showing the limited offshore cellular communication coverage which is provided by the cell tower;

FIG. 2 is a simplified drawing of a prior art cellular communication system showing land based cell towers for receiving and transmitting cellular signals arranged to provide cellular coverage over a desired geographical area;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of transmitting and receiving antennas mounted on a pole which may be part of a land based tower;

FIG. 3A is a simplified top view of transmit and receive antennas arranged for 360 degree transmit/receive coverage;

FIG. 4 is a highly simplified drawing of a portion of a cellular buoy including a wave energy converter (WEC) used to practice the invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of cellular buoys deployed off shore integrated with a series of land based cellular towers for providing cellular communication over a large body of water and land in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a cellular buoy including a wave energy converter for producing electric power which is distributed to the cellular transmission/reception equipment and other electronic and control systems in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a simplified drawing of a cellular communication system embodying the invention showing an array of cellular buoys integrated with land based cell towers for receiving and transmitting cellular signals over a large body of water and land.

Claims

1. A communication system embodying the invention includes: a buoy located in a body of water and including a wave energy converter (WEC) for converting the energy in waves present in the body of water into electrical energy; anda transceiver for transmitting and receiving cellular signals mounted on said buoy, said WEC for providing power to the transceiver and said transceiver for receiving and transmitting cellular signals between an offshore location and a land-based cellular system.

2. A communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transceiver includes an antenna mounted on the buoy.

3. A communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buoy includes means for controlling the orientation of the antenna to optimize reception and transmission of cellular signals.

4. A communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buoy includes sensors for sensing waves exceeding predetermined limits for protecting the transceiver and the buoy from forces exceeding predetermined limits.

5. A communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buoy includes signal processing equipment coupled to the transceiver and electronic equipment for controlling selected systems of the buoy; and wherein the WEC supplies power to operate all the equipment.

6. A communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buoy includes a platform for mounting the antenna and means for stabilizing the platform and wherein the WEC provides power to the stabilizing means.

7. A communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buoy includes a platform for mounting the antenna and wherein the buoy includes a shell and a column and wherein a heave plate is coupled to the column for stabilizing the column and the platform.

8. A cellular communication system comprising: an array of buoys disposed in a body of water, each buoy including a cellular system including a transmission/reception site and associated electrical equipment for processing cellular signals; and each buoy also including a wave energy converter (WEC) responsive to waves in the body of water for generating electrical energy for powering the cellular system and associated equipment for processing the cellular signals, without the need for a power source other than that of the WEC.

9. A cellular communication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each buoy includes a complete cellular system capable of providing cell service to a fixed area and for communicating with the cellular systems of neighboring buoys; and wherein the buoy's WEC includes means for providing power to the complete cellular system.

10. A cellular communication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each buoy includes a complete cellular system for transferring a call from the buoy to any other buoy.

11. A cellular communication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cellular system of each buoy functions as a link between adjacent cellular areas with each cellular system being powered by its buoy's WEC; and wherein the array of buoys provides means for transferring signals between individual buoys and between the buoys and land based cellular towers.

12. A cellular communication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the area serviced by the cellular system of a buoy is a function of the power of the transceiver and the height of the antenna above the surface of the water.

13. A cellular communication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the number of buoys is greater than two.