Generator Water-Tight Enclosure for Submersible Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generators face damage and reduced operational life when used in submersible environments due to water ingress, limiting the autonomous operation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) as they cannot safely manage air and exhaust in water-based settings.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained power system with a water-tight enclosure, intake and exhaust valves, and a controller that automatically starts and stops the generator based on the AUV's surface or submersion status, ensuring air and exhaust are managed externally to prevent water ingress and maintain generator functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a generator is used to provide electrical power for charging batteries, then the operational duration of the AUV is extended, but the generator is damaged by water ingress in submersible environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a water-tight enclosure housing the generator, isolated from the aquatic environment, and a control system that manages generator operation based on surface/submersion state. This segmentation allows the generator to function reliably without direct exposure to water.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller preemptively activates the generator before the AUV surfaces and deactivates it before submersion. By performing these actions in advance, the system ensures the generator operates only when air is available and water cannot cause damage, thus preventing both water ingress and ensuring power availability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the generator operates continuously to charge batteries, then power availability is improved, but water ingress through intake and exhaust ports damages the generator
Solution Approach 1:
The water-tight enclosure acts as an intermediary barrier between the generator and the aquatic environment. It allows the generator to access air through controlled ports while preventing direct water contact, thus mediating between the need for combustion air and the risk of water damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors the AUV's surface/submersion state and adjusts generator operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the generator runs only when conditions are safe (on surface with air available) and stops before water can cause damage, dynamically balancing power availability with protection from water ingress.
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
This solution allows AUVs to operate safely and prolong their operational time by preventing generator damage from water, enabling reliable power generation both on and underwater.
Implementation Method 1
The intake valve couples the air intake port to an outside surface of the enclosure, and is configured to transport air from the outside surface of the enclosure to the air intake port when the intake valve is open
Implementation Method 2
The exhaust valve couples the exhaust port to the outside surface of the enclosure, and is configured to transport exhaust from the exhaust port to the outside surface of the enclosure when the exhaust valve is open
Implementation Method 3
generators (e.g., diesel fuel generators) may provide electrical power for charging batteries by burning fuel
Implementation Method 4
generators (e.g., diesel fuel generators) may provide electrical power for charging batteries by burning fuel
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments provide for safely and reliably operating a generator in a submersible environment utilizing an autonomous control system. One embodiment is a power generation system that includes a generator, a water-tight enclosure surrounding the generator, an intake valve, an exhaust valve, and a controller. The intake valve couples an air intake on the generator to an outside surface of the enclosure. The exhaust valve couples an exhaust port on the generator to the outside surface. If the controller determines that the enclosure will submerge, then the controller stops the generator and closes the intake valve and the exhaust valve. After detecting that the enclosure has surfaced, the controller opens the intake valve, opens the exhaust valve, and starts the generator.