US-12627121-B2 - Marina power pedestal including marina safety status indication device

US12627121B2US 12627121 B2US12627121 B2US 12627121B2US-12627121-B2

Abstract

A power pedestal includes: a pedestal member comprising a base structured to be attached to a platform and an enclosure extending from the base; a leakage current detection unit structured to detect a leakage current in the water in a slip and to output a leakage current detection signal based on the detected leakage current; and a marina safety status indication unit comprising: a control circuit connected to the leakage current detection circuit and structured to determine a real time marina safety status in the water within the slip and to output a marina safety status signal based on the determination; and a marina safety status indication device including a rub rail and a marina safety status indicator embedded in the rub rail and connected to the control circuit, the marina safety status indicator structured to provide the real time marina safety status based on the marina safety status signal.

Inventors

Paul D. Seff
Mark W. Mosser
Greg Storck

Assignees

EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240419

Claims (20)

1 . A power pedestal structured to be attached to a platform in the vicinity of water, the power pedestal comprising: a pedestal member that comprises a base structured to be attached to the platform and an enclosure extending from the base; a leakage current detection unit structured to detect a leakage current in the water in a slip and to output a leakage current detection signal in response to detecting the leakage current in the water within the slip; and a marina safety status indication unit comprising: a control circuit electrically connected to the leakage current detection circuit, the control circuit being structured to determine a real time marina safety status in the water within the slip based on the leakage current detection signal and predefined leakage current danger levels and to output a marina safety status signal based on the determination; and a marina safety status indication device including a rub rail structured to be fixedly attached to one or more edges of the slip, a cord, and a marina safety status indicator embedded in the rub rail and electrically connected to the control circuit via the cord, the marina safety status indicator being structured to provide the real time marina safety status based on the marina safety status signal.
2 . The power pedestal of claim 1 , wherein the marina safety status indicator is structured to provide a visual indication of the real time marina safety status per slip.
3 . The power pedestal of claim 2 , wherein the marina safety status indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes structured to emit a color corresponding to the real time marina safety status based on the marina safety status signal.
4 . The power pedestal of claim 3 , wherein the marina safety status comprises a plurality of marina safety statuses, each marina safety status corresponsive to a predefined leakage current danger level.
5 . The power pedestal of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of marina safety statuses comprises a safe level corresponsive to zero leakage current, one or more intermediate danger levels corresponsive to one or more intermediate current leakage ranges, and a highest danger level corresponsive to a first current leakage range.
6 . The power pedestal of claim 5 , wherein the one or more intermediate danger levels comprise a first intermediate danger level corresponsive to a first intermediate leakage current range greater than 0 mA and less than 5 mA and a second intermediate danger level corresponsive to a second intermediate leakage current range greater than or equal to 5 mA and less than 10 mA, the first intermediate danger level indicating that the water in the slip includes one or more energized underwater metals, the second intermediate danger level indicating that the vessel berthed in the slip includes a faulty wiring and/or the water in the slip includes one or more energized underwater metals.
7 . The power pedestal of claim 6 , wherein the real time marina safety status per slip allows for immediate identification of the vessel berthed within the slip as the vessel emanating the leakage current.
8 . The power pedestal of claim 5 , wherein the first current leakage range is greater than or equal to 10 mA and indicative of accumulative readings of leakage currents emanating from more than one vessels and/or a plurality of energized underwater metals in the water within or in the vicinity of the slip.
9 . The power pedestal of claim 8 , wherein the accumulative readings of leakage currents allow for an immediate identification of an area of interest and/or one or more vessels to be inspected and prompt a comprehensive inspection and resolution of the accumulated leakage currents.
10 . The power pedestal of claim 9 , wherein the highest danger level indicates that the vessel berthed within the slip and one or more vessels berthed in the vicinity of the slip each include a faulty wiring, that the vessel berthed within the slip and one or more vessels berthed in the vicinity of the slip each include a faulty wiring and the water in and/or in the vicinity of the slip includes a plurality of energized underwater metals, that a plurality of vessels berthed in the vicinity of the slip includes faulty wirings, that a plurality of vessels berthed in the water in the vicinity of the slip includes faulty wirings and the water within and/or in the vicinity of the slip includes a plurality of energized underwater metals, or any other appropriate combination thereof.
11 . The power pedestal of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises RGB controllers or digital control circuits structured to customize a color for each marina safety status.
12 . The power pedestal of claim 1 , further comprising: a leakage current detection indicator disposed within the enclosure and electrically connected to the leakage current detection circuit and structured to provide an indication in response to the leakage current detection signal.
13 . The power pedestal of claim 1 , wherein the leakage current detection indicator may provide a visual or audible indication in response to the leakage current detection signal.
14 . The power pedestal of claim 1 , wherein the leakage current detection unit comprises: a leakage current probe structured to extend outside the enclosure and into the water to sense a voltage in the water, and a leakage current detection circuit electrically connected to the leakage current probe and structured to detect a leakage current in the water within the slip based on voltage sensed by the leakage current probe and to output an indicator signal in response to detecting the leakage current.
15 . The power pedestal of claim 14 , wherein the leakage current probe comprises: a voltage sensor structured to sense the voltage in the water; and a cord structured to electrically connect the voltage sensor to the stray current detection circuit, wherein the leakage current detection circuit is further structured to compare the voltage sensed by the voltage sensor to a predetermined threshold voltage and to detect the leakage current in the water within the slip when the voltage sensed by the voltage sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold voltage.
16 . A marina safety status indication apparatus for use in a power pedestal including a pedestal member that comprises a base structured to be attached to a platform and an enclosure extending from the base, the apparatus comprising: a leakage current detection unit structured to detect a leakage current in the water in a slip and to output a leakage current detection signal in response to detecting the leakage current in the water within the slip; and a marina safety status indication unit comprising: a control circuit electrically connected to the leakage current detection circuit, the control circuit being structured to determine a real time marina safety status in the water within the slip based on the leakage current detection signal and predefined leakage current danger levels and to output a marina safety status signal based on the determination; and a marina safety status indication device including a rub rail structured to be fixedly attached to one or more edges of the slip, a cord, and a marina safety status indicator embedded in the rub rail and electrically connected to the control circuit via the cord, the marina safety status indicator being structured to provide the real time marina safety status based on the marina safety status signal.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the marina safety status comprises a plurality of marina safety statuses, each marina safety status corresponsive to a predefined leakage current danger level.
18 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the marina safety status indicator is structured to provide a visual indication of the real time marina safety status per slip and comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes structured to emit a color corresponding to the real time marina safety status based on the marina safety status signal.
19 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the marina safety status indication unit provides accumulative readings of leakage currents emanating from more than one vessel and/or a plurality of energized underwater metals in the water within or in the vicinity of the slip and wherein the accumulative readings allow for an immediate identification of an area of interest and/or one or more vessels to be inspected and prompt a comprehensive inspection and resolution of the accumulated leakage currents.
20 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein a leakage current detection unit comprises: a leakage current probe comprising a voltage sensor structured to sense the voltage in the water and a cord structured to electrically connect the voltage sensor to the stray current detection circuit, the leakage current probe being structured to extend outside the enclosure and into the water to sense a voltage in the water, and a leakage current detection circuit electrically connected to the leakage current probe and structured to detect a leakage current in the water within the slip based on voltage sensed by the leakage current probe and to output an indicator signal in response to detecting the leakage current.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The disclosed concept relates generally to a power pedestal and more particularly, a marina power pedestal. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,716 discloses a utility distribution pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles. Stray or leakage electric current is a portion of current that flows over a path other than the intended path. When power pedestals are employed in marina applications, stray currents can end up in the water in the vicinity of the power pedestal. Stray currents in marinas are extremely dangerous and have led to a number of fatalities due to electrocution or electric shock drowning (ESD). ESD is a condition where a person in the water is subjected to a paralyzing electrical shock, which in turns leads to the person drowning. Leakage currents are not visible, so if a stray current does exist in the vicinity of a power pedestal in a marina, it is likely to go undetected. Due to its lack of detection, the dangerous condition in the water will remain unfixed. Additionally, people around the marina will not be aware of the dangerous condition in the water and may not exercise due care in avoiding the water. There is room for improvement in marina power pedestals. There is room for improvement in marina leakage current monitors and marina safety indicators. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These needs, and others, are met by power pedestal structured to be attached to a slip of a platform in the vicinity of water. The power pedestal includes: a pedestal member that comprises a base structured to be attached to the platform and an enclosure extending from the base; a leakage current detection unit structured to detect a leakage current in the water in a slip and to output a leakage current detection signal in response to detecting the leakage current in the water within the slip; and a marina safety status indication unit. The marina safety status indication unit includes a control circuit electrically connected to the leakage current detection circuit, the control circuit being structured to determine a real time marina safety status in the water within the slip based on the leakage current detection signal and predefined leakage current danger levels and to output a marina safety status signal based on the determination; and a marina safety status indication device including a rub rail structured to be fixedly attached to one or more edges of the slip, a cord, and a marina safety status indicator embedded in the rub rail and electrically connected to the control circuit via the cord, the marina safety status indicator being structured to provide the real time marina safety status based on the marina safety status signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a marina including a marina power pedestal including a leakage current detection unit and a marina safety status indication unit in accordance with a non-limiting, example embodiment of the disclosed concept; FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the marina power pedestal of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a back view of the marina power pedestal of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary marina safety status indication unit of the power pedestal of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the input power terminals of the marina power pedestal of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a ground fault protection circuit in accordance with a non-limiting, example embodiment of the disclosed concept; and FIG. 7 illustrates various levels of real time marina safety status indicated by the marina safety status indicator of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As employed herein, the term “vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a land vehicle, a marine vehicle, an air vehicle or another motor vehicle. As employed herein, the term “land vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any land-based vehicles having pneumatic tires, any rail-based vehicles, any maglev vehicles, automobiles, cars, trucks, station wagons, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), recreational vehicles, construction vehicles, off road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, farm vehicles, fleet vehicles, motor homes, vans, buses, motorcycles, mopeds, campers, trailers, or bicycles. As employed herein, the term “marine vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any water-based vehicles, ships, boats, other vessels for travel on water, submarines, or other vessels for travel under water. As employed herein, the term “air vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any air-based vehicles, airplanes, jets, aircraft, airships, balloons, blimps, or dirigibles. As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). As employed herein, the term “platform” s