Method of and apparatus for detecting and controlling bilge water in a sea vessel
US7661380B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63J4/004
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved bilge water level monitor, alert and control system for boats and other vessels. The system provides a method of detecting excessive leakage of water into the bilge and in response to the excessive water in the bilge, triggering an alarm to notify the operator and others and energizes bilge pumps to remove the excessive water. The system is designed with many redundancies in the sub elements and subsystems for safety. The system provides a means for reducing the likelihood of exhausting battery power in the event of a significant seawater leakage problem. The electrical power rating of the monitoring circuitry components is relatively low, thereby reducing the size and weight of those components relative to prior bilge pump monitoring and alert systems. There is no electrical wiring exposed to bilge water during system operation thereby reducing damage to the wiring components. The water level detection and control circuitry operates with sufficiently low amperage to substantially eliminate the hazard of spark-induced combustion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.