# US 2022/0045501 A1 · Dock Management System with GFCI Failure Indication

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- Number: US 2022/0045501 A1
- Document ID: US20220045501A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/503,771
- Filed: 2021-10-18
- Published: 2022-02-10
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-15
- Assignees: DockIQ, LLC
- Applicants: DockIQ, LLC
- Inventors: Albert Matthews Thompson, JR.; Brandon Loyal Turner; Mark Joseph Gordon; Daniel Steven Haligas; Tom Cullinan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220045501A1

## CPC

- H02H 3/20: responsive to excess voltage
- G08B 3/10: using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
- G08B 5/22: using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
- G08B 21/185: {Electrical failure alarms}
- G08B 25/016: {Personal emergency signalling and security systems (emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12)}
- G08B 25/10: using wireless transmission systems {(G08B25/009 takes precedence)}
- H02H 1/0007: {concerning the detecting means (in general G01R or other subclasses of G01; reed switches H01H71/2445)}
- H02H 1/0061: {concerning transmission of signals (transmission of measured quantities or switching orders; sectionalised protection involving signal transmission between at least two stations H02H7/261; comparison of the voltage or current values at two spaced portions of a single system H02H3/28; transferring the output of a sensing member to another variable G01D5/00; electrical measuring arrangements using modulation of electromagnetic waves, e.g. light beams G01R15/24, G01R15/26)}
- H02H 3/16: responsive to fault current to earth, frame or mass (with balanced or differential arrangement H02H3/26 {; monitoring earth connection H02H5/105})
- H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H)
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

## Abstract

In a method of warning of a hazardous electrical condition at a dock with wiring coupled to a voltage source via a dock breaker, an electric voltage between a ground and at least one of the dock frame or the water is detected. A plurality of voltage values of the electric voltage is stored. When at least two successive voltage values of the plurality voltage values exceeds a baseline safe voltage by a preset margin, then a shock warning signal is asserted, a dock breaker is opened and a shock warning indication is transmitted to a remote unit via a communication chipset. When at a voltage is sensed in the dock wiring system after the dock breaker has been opened, then a faulty dock breaker warning indication is transmitted to the remote unit via the communication chipset.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electric shock detection system for use with a dock having a dock frame and a dock wiring system that is connected to a power source by a dock breaker, the dock being disposed in water, the electric shock detection system configured for use with a remote unit, comprising:
(a) at least one electricity probe configured to detect an electric voltage between a ground and at least one of the dock frame or the water;
(b) a shock hazard indicator disposed adjacent to the dock that generates a human-perceptible indication of a shock hazard when a shock warning signal is asserted;
(c) a communication chipset in communication with the remote unit; and
(d) a control unit disposed on the dock and responsive to the at least one electricity probe and in communication with the shock hazard indicator and the communication chipset, wherein the control unit includes a processor that is programmed to:
(i) store a first voltage value received from the at least one electricity probe, the first voltage value being no greater than a voltage known to be safe and designated as a baseline safe voltage;
(ii) receive a plurality of second voltage values from the at least one electricity probe;
(iii) when at least two successive second voltage values of the plurality second voltage values exceeds the baseline safe voltage by a preset margin, then assert the shock warning signal, open the dock breaker and transmit a shock warning indication to the remote unit via the communication chipset;
(iv) when at a voltage is sensed in the dock wiring system after the dock breaker has been opened, then transmit a faulty dock breaker warning indication to the remote unit via the communication chipset.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electric shock detection system of claim 1, wherein the control unit takes at least two second voltage values per second and wherein the processor is programmed to determine that the plurality second voltage values exceeds the first voltage value by a preset margin when more than one second voltage value exceeds the threshold per second and wherein the processor is programmed to ignore a second voltage value that exceeds the first voltage value by a preset margin when not more than one second voltage value exceeds the threshold per second.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The electric shock detection system of claim 1, further comprising a circuit that indicates each of the following wiring conditions: correct wiring; open ground; open line; open neutral; line reversed with ground; and line reversed with neutral.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The electric shock detection system of claim 1, further comprising a battery backup that powers the electric shock detection system when power from the power source is not available.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The electric shock detection system of claim 1, wherein the shock warning signal includes an audible alarm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The electric shock detection system of claim 1, wherein the communication chipset comprises a cellular telephone chipset and wherein the shock warning indication comprises a graphical indication appearing on a cellular telephone.

### Claim 7

A method of warning of a hazardous electrical condition at a dock with wiring coupled to a voltage source via a dock breaker, comprising the steps of:
(a) detecting an electric voltage between a ground and at least one of the dock frame or the water;
(b) storing a plurality of voltage values of the electric voltage;
(c) when at least two successive voltage values of the plurality voltage values exceeds a baseline safe voltage by a preset margin, then asserting a shock warning signal, opening the dock breaker and transmitting a shock warning indication to a remote unit via a communication chipset;
(d) when at a voltage is sensed in the dock wiring system after the step of opening the dock breaker, then transmitting a faulty dock breaker warning indication to the remote unit via the communication chipset.