Outboard Engine Water Sensor Exhaust Intrusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Outboard engine assemblies face the challenge of water intrusion into the engine when the engine is stopped, as the flow of exhaust gases ceases, increasing the risk of water entering the exhaust system and potentially the engine.
Innovation Solution
The outboard engine assembly incorporates a water sensor disposed within the exhaust system to detect the presence of water, a control module to manage operating parameters, and a cooling water conduit that supplies water into the exhaust system, ensuring that water exiting the conduit flows across the water sensor to prevent water intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the outboard engine is positioned lower relative to the watercraft, then more usable room is available in the watercraft, but the risk of water intrusion into the engine increases when the engine is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The water sensor is positioned to detect water presence in the exhaust system before water can enter the engine combustion chambers. The control module receives advance warning from the sensor and can activate warning lights or alarms to alert the operator, enabling preventive action before water intrusion occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust system acts as an intermediary barrier between the external water environment and the engine's internal combustion chambers. The water sensor monitors this intermediary zone, detecting water that has entered the exhaust system but has not yet reached the engine, providing an early warning mechanism.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is stopped, then exhaust gas flow ceases, but the risk of water entering the exhaust system and engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water sensor provides continuous feedback to the control module about water presence in the exhaust system. When water is detected, the control module can activate warning indicators to alert the operator, enabling timely response even when the engine is stopped and exhaust flow is absent.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates autonomously, with the water sensor continuously checking for water presence and the control module automatically processing sensor signals and activating warnings without requiring operator intervention. The system serves itself by providing continuous protection monitoring.
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 configuration effectively prevents water intrusion into the engine by detecting water presence and managing the engine's operating parameters, ensuring the engine remains protected even when stopped.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor housing includes shrouds disposed around the plurality of probes... the probes are configured to contact water flowing through the exhaust passage when water is present in the exhaust passage
Data Source
AI summary
An outboard engine assembly has an engine unit including an engine unit housing, an internal combustion engine disposed in the engine unit housing, the engine defining at least one combustion chamber, an exhaust system fluidly communicating with the at least one combustion chamber for supplying exhaust gases from the at least one combustion chamber to an exterior of the outboard engine assembly, a gearcase connected to the engine unit housing, a control module connected to the engine for controlling at least one operating parameter of the outboard engine assembly, and a water sensor disposed at least in part in the exhaust system for detecting presence of water in the exhaust system, the water sensor being in communication with the control module, and a propulsion device operatively connected to the engine.