Method and apparatus for tracing sewer connections with RFID PIT tags

• US 10,641,676 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2016
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason Cruz
• Original Assignee: Jason Cruz
• Inventors: Cruz, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Eyassu, Marrit
• Application Number:
  US15/338,427
• Time in Patent Office: 1,283 Days
• Field of Search: 73 491
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/005 using pigs or moles G01M3/246, G01M3/2823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/20 using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07728 the record carrier comprising means for protection against impact or bending, e.g. protective shells or stress-absorbing layers around the integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device

Abstract

A method and apparatus for tracing sewer connections with RFID PIT tags consists of using at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag embedded within a protective outer covering, and at least one RFID reader and antenna system to trace the flow of a fluid within a plumbing system, sewer lateral pipe, sanitary or storm sewer system. The RFID PIT tag and protective outer covering are introduced in one point within the plumbing system, sewer lateral pipe, sanitary or storm sewer system, such as by flushing a toilet. Subsequent collection, or detection of the RFID PIT tag at another location within a sewer lateral pipe, sanitary or storm sewer system is used to establish the presence of a hydraulic connection between the introduction and collection or detection points. The method is useful to identify whether a plumbing system or sewer lateral pipe is properly connected to a sewer system without the need to actively observe the presence of a visual tracing aid such as dye.

Claims

1. A method of determining whether a building plumbing system is connected to a sewer system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) installing a first radio frequency antenna in a first fluid pipe in the sewer system;

(a1) prior to step (b), installing a second radio frequency antenna in a second fluid pipe;

(b) providing a first reader configured to receive an electronic signal from the first radio frequency antenna;

(b1) prior to step (c), providing a second reader configured to receive an electronic signal from the second radio frequency antenna;

(c) introducing a radio frequency identification (“

RFID”

) device into the building plumbing system at an insertion location;

(d) ensuring sufficient fluid flow into the building plumbing system to flow the RFID device downstream from the insertion location;

(e) the first radio frequency antenna receiving an RFID electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna; and

(e1) after step (d), the second radio frequency antenna receiving the RFID electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the second radio frequency antenna;

(f) the first radio frequency antenna transmitting a first radio frequency antenna electronic signal containing identification code data to the first reader when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna and determining that the building plumbing system is connected to the first fluid pipe; and

(f1) after step (e1), the second radio frequency antenna transmitting a second radio frequency antenna electronic signal to the second reader and determining that the building plumbing system is connected to the second fluid pipe.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, after step (d), (d1) visually confirming fluid flow through the fluid pipe system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (f) further comprises saving the identification code data in the first radio frequency antenna electronic signal in the first reader.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first reader and the second reader are the same reader.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(g) if the RFID device does not flow past either the first radio frequency antenna or the second radio frequency antenna, concluding the determination with an inconclusive result.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises providing the RFID device having an RFID Passive Integrated Transponder (“

PIT”

) tag.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein step (c) further comprises providing the RFID device having an outer covering surrounding the RFID PIT tag.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein step (c) further comprises providing the RFID device having a density of not more than 1 gram per cubic centimeter.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein step (c) further comprises providing the outer covering from a hydrophobic material.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein step (c) further comprises providing the outer covering from a water soluble material.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises connecting the first radio frequency antenna to the reader with a cable.

12. A method of determining if a fluid pipe system is connected to a sanitary sewer system or to a storm sewer system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) installing a first radio frequency antenna in a sanitary sewer system;

(b) installing a second radio frequency antenna in a storm sewer system;

(c) providing a first reader configured to receive a first electronic signal from the first radio frequency antenna and a second reader configured to receive a second electronic signal from the second radio frequency antenna;

(d) introducing an RFID device into the fluid pipe system at an insertion location and allowing the RFID device to flow through the fluid pipe system;

(e) ensuring sufficient fluid flow into the fluid pipe system to flow the RFID device downstream through the fluid pipe system;

(f) the first radio frequency antenna receiving an electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna and then the first radio frequency antenna transmitting a first radio frequency antenna signal to the first reader, thereby determining that the fluid pipe system is connected to the sanitary sewer system;

(f1) the second radio frequency antenna receiving an electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the second radio frequency antenna and then the second radio frequency antenna transmitting a second radio frequency antenna signal to the second reader, thereby concluding that the fluid pipe system is connected to the storm sewer system; and

(f2) concluding a result as inconclusive when the RFID device flows past neither the first radio frequency antenna nor the second radio frequency antenna.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein step (f) further comprises storing identification code information from the electronic signal for later retrieval.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein step (b) comprises installing the second radio frequency antenna sufficiently far from the first radio frequency antenna to prevent false positive readings from either the first radio frequency antenna or the second radio frequency antenna.