Leakage Voltage Detection and Eradication in Water Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leakage and stray voltage monitoring systems, such as IDCI devices, are expensive, difficult to install, and fail to alert users to additional leakage currents in water bodies, posing electrocution and damage risks.
Innovation Solution
A device with wire sensor probes and a voltage sensing circuit that activates an alarm and disconnects power via a GFI circuit breaker when leakage voltage exceeds a threshold, alerting users and eradicating the voltage from the water body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IDCI device is used to monitor leakage current, then leakage current can be suppressed by disconnecting power source, but the device is expensive and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, irreplaceable components in IDCI devices with inexpensive, replaceable components such as a GFCI circuit breaker, wire sensor probes, and basic electronic components (resistors, capacitors, transistors). This allows the device to be manufactured at low cost and easily replaced if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a GFCI circuit breaker as an intermediary device between the power source and the electrical devices in the water body. The GFCI acts as a mediator that automatically disconnects power when leakage is detected, eliminating the need for complex custom-built IDCI devices.
2Reliability
If IDCI device monitors current from connected electrical devices, then those devices are protected, but additional leakage currents from other electrical devices in the water body are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The wire sensor probes act as intermediaries that directly contact the water body to detect leakage currents. These probes provide a detection path independent of the electrical devices being monitored, allowing the system to detect any leakage into the water regardless of the source device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the water body for leakage currents and provides immediate feedback by triggering the GFCI circuit breaker when leakage is detected. This closed-loop feedback ensures that any leakage, from any source, is rapidly detected and eliminated.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple alarm system is used, then cost is reduced, but ability to eradicate leakage voltage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into a single integrated device: (1) detection function performed by wire sensor probes and voltage sensing circuit, and (2) eradication function performed by GFCI circuit breaker. This combination provides both alarm capability and automatic power disconnection in one affordable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The GFCI circuit breaker serves multiple functions: it acts as an overcurrent protector for normal operation, and simultaneously serves as an automatic disconnect device for leakage voltage eradication when triggered by the detection circuit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alarm and disconnection systems.
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 device effectively detects and alerts users to leakage voltage, disconnecting power sources to prevent electrocution and damage, while being more cost-effective and easier to install than existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wire sensor probe to sense the leakage voltage in the water body
Implementation Method 2
a trigger circuit to receive the voltage signal, based on a magnitude of the voltage signal being greater than a predefined threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting and potentially eradicating a leakage voltage from a water body comprises at least one wire sensor probe to receive the leakage voltage in the water body. The device comprises a voltage sensing circuit operable for receive the leakage voltage, and generate a voltage signal based on the leakage voltage. The device comprises a trigger circuit to receive the voltage signal, based on magnitude of the voltage signal being greater than a predefined threshold value. The trigger circuit activates an alarm circuit, and activates a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker, in response to activation of the circuit breaker, disconnects a power supply from the at least one voltage source immersed in the water body, thereby eradicating the leakage current from the water body if the leakage voltage is caused by the activated circuit breaker.