Marine Vessel Electrical Fault Detection via Voltage Difference Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern marine vessel electrical systems face challenges due to the increasing number of electrical components, leading to more failure points that can be missed during assembly or fail in operation. Existing methods for identifying loose connections and failure points are inaccurate and lack ongoing inspections after manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

The electrical system incorporates an analysis module that communicates with the power supply and powered devices to detect and compare voltage and current differences. This module generates signals when differences exceed thresholds, providing alerts and troubleshooting information at an enterprise level, and allows for automatic shutdown of faulty components to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of electrical components is increased to provide more functionality, then the versatility of the marine vessel system is improved, but the number of failure points increases and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidfailure points

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring and detection of electrical faults before they lead to system failure. The control module continuously monitors electrical parameters and detects anomalies early, allowing preventive maintenance or shutdown before complete failure occurs, thus maintaining reliability while supporting increased functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of electrical components through the control module. By constantly measuring and comparing electrical parameters against expected values, the system can detect deviations and respond appropriately, maintaining system reliability even as the number of components increases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If manual inspection methods are used to identify loose connections, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and detection accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection methodVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated electronic monitoring. The control module uses electrical measurements and digital signal processing to detect loose connections and faults, substituting human sensory and manual examination capabilities with precise electronic detection methods that continuously monitor electrical parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If ongoing electrical inspections are implemented after manufacturing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveongoing inspectionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control module serves multiple functions: it controls powered devices, monitors electrical parameters, detects faults, and provides user interface operations. By making the control module universal and multi-functional, the system achieves ongoing inspection capabilities without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the same hardware performs multiple roles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If the analysis module continuously monitors all electrical parameters, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detectionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors electrical parameters continuously but only triggers detailed analysis and alerts when deviations from normal operating ranges are detected. The control module uses threshold-based filtering and only processes data when anomalies are present, avoiding full continuous analysis and reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection accuracy for actual faults

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12313699B1Systems and methods for monitoring electrical systems of marine vessels

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

An electrical system for a marine vessel. The electrical system includes a power supply that produces an output. A powered device is electrically coupled to the power supply, where the powered device receives an incoming power from the power supply. An analysis module determines a difference between the output of the power supply and the incoming power received by the powered device. The analysis module compares the determined difference to a first threshold and generates a first signal when the determined difference exceeds the first threshold.