Marine CCS Interface With Galvanic Isolation for Charging Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine vessels equipped with conventional corrosion protection arrangements face issues with the Combined Charging System (CCS) due to differences in ground signals and obstructed control signal return paths, preventing the charging process from starting.
Innovation Solution
A communications interface and system that galvanically isolates the control circuit of the on-board CCS, using a galvanic isolation device to replicate control signals and maintain a ground reference equal to the marine vessel's control unit, allowing the CCS to function despite corrosion protection arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a corrosion protection arrangement is installed on a marine vessel, then the vessel is protected from corrosion, but the control signal return path is obstructed and ground signals differ, preventing CCS charging from starting
Solution Approach 1:
A communications interface acts as an intermediary device between the on-shore CCS and the on-board CCS. This interface includes a galvanic isolation device that mediates the signal transmission, allowing control signals to pass through while blocking the harmful galvanic currents that would otherwise be blocked by the corrosion protection arrangement. The interface circuit replicates control signals and maintains proper ground reference, enabling charging operation without compromising corrosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The communications interface segments the charging system into distinct galvanically isolated sections. The galvanic isolation device divides the control circuit into two separate domains: one connected to the on-shore CCS and another connected to the on-board CCS control circuit. This segmentation allows each section to maintain its own ground reference while still enabling communication, thus resolving the ground signal mismatch caused by the corrosion protection arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If galvanic isolation is implemented to enable charging, then control signals can be transmitted despite corrosion protection, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communications interface is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated device. It simultaneously provides galvanic isolation, signal replication, ground reference maintenance, and communication protocol handling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving the goal of enabling charging operation with corrosion protection.
3Reliability
If the control circuit is galvanically isolated from the on-shore CCS, then ground reference matching is achieved, but direct communication is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The communications interface replaces the direct electrical (galvanic) connection with an alternative signal transmission mechanism. Instead of relying on direct electrical contact that would establish a common ground reference, the system uses an interface circuit that electrically detects control signals from the on-shore CCS and regenerates them with the correct ground reference for the on-board CCS. This substitution maintains signal transmission while achieving ground reference matching through galvanic isolation.
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 marine vessels with corrosion protection to use the CCS standard for charging propulsion electric energy storage systems without modifying existing protection arrangements, ensuring correct signal transmission and allowing the charging process to proceed.
Implementation Method 1
the control circuit of the communications system is galvanically isolated from both the interface circuit and the connecting node by the galvanic isolation device
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~6
AI summary
A communications interface (1) for relaying communications signals to and from an on-board combined charging system (CCS) (3) comprising a connecting node (10), an interface circuit (12, 12', 12"), and a galvanic isolation device (14). The interface circuit (12) and the galvanic isolation device (14) are electrically connected in parallel to the connecting node (10), the connecting node is further configured to be communicatively connected to an onshore combined charging system (CCS) (3') via an on-board connector (16). The galvanic isolation device (14) is further configured to be communicatively connected to a control circuit (18, 18', 18") of a communications system (2) of the on-board combined charging system (CCS) (3) such that the control circuit (18, 18', 18") of the communications system (2) is galvanically isolated from both the interface circuit (12) and the connecting node (10) by the galvanic isolation device (14). The disclosure further relates to communication system (2) an on-board combined charging system (3) and a marine vessel (4).