INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

• US 20150082868A1
• Filed: 12/02/2014
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hyland, Gregory E., Keefe, Robert Paul, Zakas, Marietta Edmunds, Barker, Clayton Robert III
• Granted Patent: US 9,861,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40.5R
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/20 Hydrants, e.g. wall-hoses, wall units, plug-in cabinets hydrants in streets E03B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/50 Testing or indicating devices for determining the state of readiness of the equipment
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/06 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/006 of hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/04 for distribution of gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/00 Protection or supervision of installations arrangements for protecting foundations E02D31/00; protecting pipes from damage or internal or external wear F16L57/00, against corrosion and scale F16L58/00; investigation of the fluid-tightness of structures G01M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/12 Determination or prediction of behaviour, e.g. likely power consumption or unusual usage patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/46 Pitot tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/00 Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/03 Constructional details, e.g. casings, housings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/34 Hydrogen distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5468 Cap, cover or hood
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5485 With valve at outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7043 Guards and shields
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

A leak detection assembly includes a leak detection sensor mountable on a surface of a component of a water infrastructure system; and a communications device mountable on the component, the leak detection sensor connected to the communications device, the communications device including an antenna, wherein the communications device is a component of an infrastructure monitoring system. A leak detection system includes a component of a water infrastructure system; a leak detection sensor mounted on a surface of the component; and a communications device positioned in proximity to the component and connected to the leak detection sensor, the communications device including an antenna, wherein the communications device is a component of an infrastructure monitoring system

Claims

1. A leak detection assembly comprising:

a leak detection sensor mountable on a surface of a component of a water infrastructure system; and

a communications device mountable on the component, the leak detection sensor connected to the communications device, the communications device including an antenna, wherein the communications device is a component of an infrastructure monitoring system.

2. The leak detection assembly of claim 1, wherein the communications device is insulated from water.

3. The leak detection assembly of claim 1, wherein the component of the water infrastructure system includes at least one portion comprised of a material that does not interfere with communications of the communications device.

4. The leak detection assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one portion of the component is comprised of a composite material.

5. The leak detection assembly of claim 4, wherein the composite material has a color that fades at a rate that is the same as a rate of fading of a color of paint.

6. The leak detection assembly of claim 4, wherein the composite material does not interfere with wireless signals.

7. The leak detection assembly of claim 1, wherein the component of the water infrastructure system is a hydrant including a nozzle cap.

8. The leak detection assembly of claim 7, wherein the nozzle cap defines an interior cavity and wherein the communications device is mountable inside the interior cavity.

9. The leak detection assembly of claim 7, wherein the nozzle cap includes an enclosure, a cover to seal the enclosure, and an antenna cover.

10. The leak detection assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover creates a water tight seal on the enclosure.

11. The leak detection assembly of claim 10, wherein the communications device is positioned within the enclosure and the cover.

12. A leak detection system comprising:

a component of a water infrastructure system;

a leak detection sensor mounted on a surface of the component; and

a communications device positioned in proximity to the component and connected to the leak detection sensor, the communications device including an antenna, wherein the communications device is a component of an infrastructure monitoring system.

13. The leak detection system of claim 12, wherein the communications device is insulated from water.

14. The leak detection system of claim 12, wherein the component of the water infrastructure system includes at least one portion comprised of a material that does not interfere with communications of the communications device

15. The leak detection system of claim 14, wherein the at least one portion of the component is comprised of composite material, wherein the composite material does not interfere with wireless signals.

16. The leak detection system of claim 12, wherein the component of the water infrastructure system is a hydrant including a nozzle cap.

17. The leak detection system of claim 16, wherein the nozzle cap defines an interior cavity and wherein the communications device is positioned inside the interior cavity, the antenna extending through the nozzle cap.

18. The leak detection system of claim 16, wherein the nozzle cap includes an enclosure, a cover to seal the enclosure, and an antenna cover.

19. The leak detection system of claim 18, wherein the cover creates a water tight seal on the enclosure.

20. The leak detection system of claim 19, wherein the communications device is positioned within the enclosure and the cover.