Inductive Coupling for Personal Watercraft Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal propulsion devices face challenges in providing reliable control communication due to harsh operational conditions, such as twisting electrical cables and exposure to high-pressure fluid, particularly saltwater, which can lead to component failure.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring electrically conductive coils that transmit inductance signals through a waterproof enclosure, allowing for secure and reliable communication between the passenger assembly and the pressurized fluid source, with a rotatable configuration to accommodate fluid conduit movement and prevent direct electrical conduction, ensuring signal transmission without wire twisting or water exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical cable or wire is used to communicate control signals between the body unit and the watercraft, then control communication can be established, but the cable is subjected to twisting and large forces during maneuvers, leading to unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical cable with an inductive coupling system consisting of a transmitter coil in the watercraft and a receiver coil in the body unit. This eliminates direct mechanical connection, allowing the body unit to rotate and maneuver freely without twisting the connection, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining control communication and avoiding mechanical stress on the cable.
2Reliability
If an electrical cable runs along the hose to provide control communication, then signals can be transmitted, but the cable is exposed to high-pressure fluid flow and salt water, causing component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical cable that runs along the hose with an inductive coupling system. The transmitter and receiver coils are positioned such that signal transmission occurs through magnetic coupling rather than through a physical cable exposed to the fluid environment. This eliminates the cable's exposure to high-pressure fluid and salt water, preventing corrosion and component failure while maintaining control communication reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable connection is used between the body unit and watercraft, then operational flexibility is improved, but maintaining electrical connection becomes difficult without twisting the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical cable with an inductive coupling system consisting of a transmitter coil in the watercraft and a receiver coil in the body unit. This allows the body unit to rotate and maneuver freely without twisting the connection, maintaining both operational flexibility and electrical connection reliability through contactless magnetic coupling.
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
The solution enables reliable and waterproof transmission of electrical signals and control commands across the personal propulsion system, enhancing operational stability and reducing the risk of component failure under harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second electrically conductive coils may be configured to transmit an inductance signal therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A personal propulsion device for use with a pressurized fluid source having a throttle, the personal propulsion device including a passenger assembly; one or more fluid discharge ports coupled to the passenger assembly and operable to elevate the passenger assembly and a passenger into the air; a fluid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the one or more fluid discharge ports; a first inductance coil coupled to the fluid delivery conduit; a second inductance coil coupled to the fluid delivery conduit and rotatable with respect to the first inductance coil; and a throttle controller coupled to the passenger assembly, where the throttle controller is configured to transmit a signal across the first and second inductance coils to the pressurized fluid source.