Water system tampering sensing device

• US 20040129312A1
• Filed: 01/03/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donald C. Johnson, Jeffrey A. Spilfogel, Joseph Cuzzo, William Spilfogel
• Original Assignee: Donald C. Johnson, Jeffrey A. Spilfogel, Joseph Cuzzo, William Spilfogel
• Inventors: Johnson, Donald C., Spilfogel, William, Spilfogel, Jeffrey A., Cuzzo, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US10/336,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20040129312A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/296
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/10 with locking caps or locking bars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5468 Cap, cover or hood

Abstract

A transmitter and a water system or distribution protection device, such as a fire hydrant protection device, is disclosed. The water system protection device inhibits an unauthorized individual from accessing water from a water system device, such as a fire hydrant. The transmitter transmits a first signal when the water system protection device is tampered with. One or more sensing devices are provided that sense when the water system protection device has been tampered with, and cause the transmitter to transmit the first signal. The transmitter may also transmit a normal operation signal indicating that the water system protection device has not been tampered with. The first signal may be encrypted. The first signal may indicate the location of the water system device. An alarm, located at or near the water system device, may be activated when the water system protection device is tampered with.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

a transmitter;

and

a water system protection device that inhibits an unauthorized individual from accessing water from a water system device; and

wherein when the water system device is tampered with the transmitter transmits a first signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a device which allows an authorized individual to access the water system protection device without causing the transmitter to transmit the first signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein

the device which allows the authorized individual to access the water system protection device is comprised of key operated switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein

the device which allows the authorized individual to access the water system protection device is comprised of a keypad.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein

the device which allows the authorized individual to access the water system protection device is comprised of a wireless device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a global positioning satellite receiver which can receive global positioning satellite signals;

and a processor which used the global positioning satellite signals to determine the position of the water system protection device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the transmitter is located within the water system protection device so that the transmitter cannot be accessed by an unauthorized person without tampering with the water system protection device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the water system device is a fire hydrant;

and

the water system protection device is a fire hydrant protection device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a first sensing device that senses when the water system protection device has been tampered with, and causes the transmitter to transmit the first signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising

a second sensing device that senses when the water system protection device has been tampered with, and causes the transmitter to transmit a second signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the transmitter transmits a normal operation signal indicating that the water system protection device has not been tampered with.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the first signal is encrypted.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the first signal indicates the location of the water system device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

an alarm located at or near the water system device, wherein the alarm is activated when the water system device is tampered with.

15. A method comprising

transmitting a first signal from a location at or near a water system device when a water system protection device has been tampered with;

wherein the water system protection device inhibits an unauthorized individual from accessing water from the water system device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein

the water system device is a fire hydrant;

and

the water system protection device is a fire hydrant protection device.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein

the first signal is encrypted.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising

transmitting a normal operation signal indicating that the fire hydrant protection device has not been tampered with.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein

the first signal indicates the location of the water system device.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising

activating an alarm located at or near the water system device when the water system protection device is tampered with.

21. The method of claim 15 further comprising

receiving the first signal at a monitoring facility;

and causing one or more members of a law enforcement agency to be sent to the location at or near the water system device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein

the first signal is encrypted;

and further comprising decoding the first signal at the monitoring facility to determine the location at or near the water system device.

23. The method of claim 15 further comprising

allowing an authorized individual to access the water system protection device without causing the first signal to be transmitted.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein

the authorized individual is allowed to access the water system protection device by use of a key operated switch.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein

the authorized individual is allowed to access the water system protection device upon entry of a code into a keypad.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein

the authorized individual is allowed access to the water system protection device by used of a wireless device.

27. The method of claim 15 further comprising

receive global positioning satellite signals;

and

determine the position of the water system protection device based on the global positioning satellite signals.