Protective Bellows Circuit for Water Buildup Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Protective bellows used to cover mechanical joints can degrade, becoming perforated or porous, allowing water to accumulate inside without easy detection, which is undesirable especially when near electrical equipment or sensitive components.

Innovation Solution

A bellows with a cylindrical and corrugated side wall incorporating elementary electrical circuits within its corrugations, where conductive elements and tracks detect the presence of conductive liquids by closing the circuit when liquid fills the gap between elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective bellows are used to cover mechanical joints, then the integrity of the mechanical joint is preserved by isolating it from the outside environment, but water can enter and build up inside the bellows without easy detection, leading to potential damage to electrical equipment or corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of mechanical jointVSAvoiddetection of water buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with simple electrical detection circuits. Conductive elements are integrated into the bellows structure to detect water presence through electrical conductivity changes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors while enabling easy detection of water buildup inside the protective bellows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates conductive elements directly into the flexible bellows structure itself. The conductive elements are embedded within or on the surface of the bellows material, allowing the detection system to move with the flexible bellows during expansion and contraction, ensuring continuous monitoring without compromising the protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bellows material is made flexible to accommodate mechanical movement, then the bellows can effectively protect moving joints, but the conductive elements must be integrated in a way that maintains both flexibility and electrical continuity for detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of bellowsVSAvoidintegration of electrical circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective bellows structure with the detection circuit by integrating conductive elements directly into the bellows. This combination eliminates the need for separate detection components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining flexibility. The conductive elements become an inherent part of the bellows structure rather than an add-on component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection for the joint, accommodates flexible movement through expansion and contraction, and enables water detection through integrated conductive elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device while enhancing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables simple and effective detection of water or conductive liquids within the bellows, preventing potential damage to electrical components or causing corrosion, thereby ensuring the integrity of the mechanical joint.

Implementation Method 1

the or each elementary electrical circuit comprising: a first conductive element and a second conductive element, extending along the first flank and/or the second flank of the corrugation... when an electrically conductive liquid extends from the first conductive element to the second conductive element, the closure of the elementary electrical circuit is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12332142B2Protective bellows having an electrical circuit and covering for a mechanical joint

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

A bellows including a cylindrical and corrugated side wall, extending about a longitudinal axis, the side wall including: an alternation of crests and of troughs, forming corrugations; flanks, each flank extending between a crest and a trough, each corrugation having a first flank and a second flank that are opposite, separated by a same trough; the bellows includes at least one elementary electrical circuit associated with a corrugation, the elementary electrical circuit includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element, extending along the first flank and/or the second flank, the first conductive element being separated from the second conductive element; a first conductive track and a second conductive track, linked respectively to the first conductive element and to the second conductive element, and the first conductive track and the second conductive track are configured to be connected, to a detector of closure of the elementary electrical circuit.