Water Sensor Shutdown for Electrical Storage Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical storage devices on boats, particularly those with voltages above 60V, pose risks of electrical shock and galvanic corrosion when submerged, as existing protection methods like IP67 are limited in duration and depth, potentially leading to oxyhydrogen gas formation and increased risk during accidents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a water sensor connected to a switch-off device that interrupts the current-conducting connection between the storage device's poles and the storage element when water contact is detected, minimizing further damage and preventing corrosion by switching the poles free of voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IP67 protection housing is used, then water resistance is improved for brief submersion, but protection is insufficient for prolonged submersion or greater depths
Solution Approach 1:
The water sensor detects water contact in advance and triggers the shutdown device to interrupt the electrically conductive connection before significant damage can occur. This preliminary protective action extends the effective protection duration beyond the IP67 rating by automatically de-energizing the system when water contact is detected, regardless of how long the submersion lasts.
2Productivity
If electrical storage device remains energized during water contact, then operational continuity is maintained, but galvanic corrosion and oxyhydrogen formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The shutdown device extracts or removes the harmful electrical energy from the system by interrupting the electrically conductive connection between the poles and the storage element when water contact is detected. This eliminates the conditions necessary for galvanic corrosion and oxyhydrogen formation while allowing the system to resume normal operation after the water contact hazard is removed.
3Power
If voltage is maintained above 60V, then power output is sufficient for electric propulsion, but electric shock risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water sensor provides continuous monitoring feedback about the environmental conditions around the electrical storage device. When water contact is detected, this feedback triggers the shutdown device to interrupt the electrically conductive connection, automatically reducing the voltage to safe levels. This feedback-controlled safety mechanism maintains high power output during normal operation while eliminating electric shock risk when water contact occurs.
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 solution significantly enhances safety by quickly disconnecting the electrical storage device from water contact, reducing the risk of electrical shock and corrosion, even in scenarios where the boat sinks beyond the protected depth, and is particularly effective for high-voltage systems like those found in electric outboard motors.
Implementation Method 1
The water sensor can, for example, use an optical measuring principle, in which the presence of water is detected using a light source and a light receiver. Depending on the design of the water sensor, water at the measuring point will either interrupt the light flux between the light source and the light receiver or enable it through scattering.
Implementation Method 2
The water sensor is based on an electrical measuring principle. The water sensor has a first and a second measuring contact, as well as a measuring circuit for determining an electrical measured value present between the first and second measuring contacts. If the space between the two measuring contacts, originally filled with air, for example, is filled with water, the resistance or conductivity between the measuring contacts changes.
Implementation Method 3
If electrical contacts carrying a direct current come into contact with water, electrolysis occurs. This causes galvanic contact corrosion and the formation of oxyhydrogen gas.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical accumulator which has at least one accumulator element (2) and a positive and a negative pole (3, 4), wherein the poles (3, 4) are in a conductive connection with the accumulator element (2) and wherein the electric motor (18) is connected to the poles (3, 4). A water sensor (5, 13) is provided which determines whether one of the poles (3, 4) is in contact with water, and the water sensor (5, 13) is operatively connected to a cut-off device (9) which is provided to interrupt the conductive connection between at least one of the poles (3, 4) and the accumulator element (2).