Terminal Block Sealing Stud for Underwater Electrical Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to effectively prevent water or gas transfer between adjacent physical locations while maintaining electrical connections, particularly in underwater applications where isolation is required.

Innovation Solution

A terminal block with a dielectric insert and conductive studs equipped with sealing devices and support flanges, which compress to form a seal, allowing for insulated electrical connections through a bulkhead while preventing liquid and gas passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a terminal block provides electrical connections through a bulkhead, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but water or gas can transfer between adjacent physical locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidwater or gas transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing device acts as an intermediary element between the stud and the bulkhead, filling the sealing chamber and forming a seal that prevents water or gas transfer while allowing the electrical connection to pass through. The sealing device is compressed between the seal support flange and the bulkhead sealing surface to create this protective barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing device is made of a compressible and expandable material such as rubber, neoprene, or other elastomeric material. This flexible material can be compressed to fill irregularities in the sealing chamber and expand to maintain a reliable seal, preventing harmful fluid transfer while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a seal is formed around a stud to prevent fluid transfer, then waterproofing is achieved, but electrical connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid transfer preventionVSAvoidconnection structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing chamber is integrated directly into the bulkhead structure surrounding the through hole, and the sealing device is positioned within this chamber. This merging of the sealing function into the existing connection structure allows waterproofing to be achieved without adding separate complex sealing mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stud assembly with the seal support flange serves multiple functions: it provides the electrical connection path, supports the sealing device, and interfaces with the bulkhead. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sealing components, thereby controlling the increase in device complexity while achieving effective waterproofing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealing device is compressed to form a seal, then waterproofing is achieved, but the sealing device material must be compressible and expandable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof seal formationVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is made of a compressible and expandable material such as rubber, neoprene, or other elastomeric material. By changing the physical state of the material through compression, the sealing device can be inserted into the sealing chamber, then expanded to fill the chamber and form a tight seal, achieving waterproofing while maintaining material versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 terminal block effectively isolates electrical circuits from each other and prevents liquid and gas transfer, ensuring reliable electrical connections in submerged environments.

Implementation Method 1

The sealing device is made of a compressible and expandable material such as rubber, neoprene, or other elastomeric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression and expansion of elastomeric material: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The dielectric insert is made of any dielectric material such as Haysite or other epoxy impregnated fiberglass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS11239579B2Terminal block and stud for transitioning an electrical connection between two distinct areas

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 SUBMARINER ELECTRIC MOTOR LLC

AI summary

A terminal block for transitioning electrical connections between two adjacent areas comprises at least one hole for receiving a stud. Each hole comprises a through hole and a sealing chamber surrounding the through hole. A stud is used for each hole. Each stud comprises a seal support flange and a sealing device. Each side of the seal support flange comprises a system for making an electrical connection. The seal support flange is sized to fit within the sealing chamber. The sealing device is located between the support flange and the sealing chamber. The stud is secured to the hole on the opposite side of the dielectric insert from the support flange and the sealing chamber to compress the sealing device between the support flange and the sealing chamber and cause the sealing device to fill the space of the sealing chamber and form a seal between the stud and the sealing chamber.