TAMPER-RESISTANT RELAY MODULES FOR COMMUNICATION WITHIN A MESH NETWORK

• US 20170026105A1
• Filed: 10/05/2016
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Parish, Edward C., Williams, James Ola, Splitz, David Edwin
• Granted Patent: US 9,960,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/40 with electric connection between sensor and actuator
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/00 Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 17/00 Flags; Banners; Mountings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/14 Relay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for attaching a relay module to a fire hydrant comprises positioning the relay module adjacent to the fire hydrant, the fire hydrant comprising a hydrant body and a bonnet coupled to the hydrant body by a plurality of fasteners, the bonnet mounted on top of the hydrant body, the relay module comprising a radio housing defining a top surface, a mast connected to the radio housing and extending upwards from the top surface, and a mounting bracket attached to the top surface, the mounting bracket engageable with the hydrant body; and securing the relay module to the fire hydrant such that the mounting bracket and a portion of the top surface is positioned beneath the bonnet.

Claims

1. A method for attaching a relay module to a fire hydrant comprising:

positioning the relay module adjacent to the fire hydrant, the fire hydrant comprising a hydrant body and a bonnet coupled to the hydrant body by a plurality of fasteners, the bonnet mounted on top of the hydrant body, the relay module comprising;

a radio housing defining a top surface,

a mast connected to the radio housing and extending upwards from the top surface, and

a mounting bracket attached to the top surface, the mounting bracket engageable with the hydrant body; and

securing the relay module to the fire hydrant such that the mounting bracket and a portion of the top surface is positioned beneath the bonnet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio housing defines a concave surface which conforms to an outer surface of the hydrant body, and positioning the relay module further comprises positioning the concave surface of the radio housing adjacent to and facing the outer surface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein positioning the relay module further comprises:

positioning a back casing of the radio housing beneath the bonnet, the back casing defining the concave surface of the radio housing; and

positioning a front casing of the radio housing external to the hydrant body and the bonnet, the mast connected to the front casing, the mast extending upwards above the hydrant body.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket defines a concave surface, and positioning the relay module further comprises positioning the concave surface of the mounting bracket adjacent to and facing the outer surface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the relay module further comprises providing a consistent gap between the back casing and the hydrant body, the gap configured to allow for expansion and contraction of the hydrant body.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrant body defines a bonnet-mounting flange, and wherein securing the relay module further comprises positioning the mounting bracket in facing contact with a bottom surface of the bonnet-mounting flange opposite from the bonnet.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket defines a mounting fastener hole, and wherein securing the relay module further comprises inserting a one of the plurality of fasteners into the mounting fastener hole.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein securing the relay module further comprises tightening a nut on the one of the plurality of fasteners received by the mounting fastener hole.

9. A radio housing configured to mount to a fire hydrant, the radio housing comprising:

a housing exterior;

a housing interior;

a top side;

a bottom side;

a front casing defining a first cavity of the housing interior, the front casing defining a first bore extending from the top side to the first cavity, the bore configured to couple a mast to the front casing; and

a back casing attached to the front casing and extending below the front casing, the front casing protruding laterally from the back casing, the back casing defining a second cavity of the housing interior, the back casing defining a second bore extending into the top side of the back casing, the second bore configured to couple a mounting bracket to the radio housing.

10. The radio housing of claim 9, wherein the radio housing is a casting.

11. The radio housing of claim 9, wherein the back casing is concavely shaped and configured to conform to an outer surface of a hydrant body of the fire hydrant.

12. The radio housing of claim 9, wherein:

the first cavity extends downwards to the bottom side and defines a first opening;

the second cavity extends downwards to the bottom side and defines a second opening; and

a one of the first opening and the second opening is covered by a plate.

13. The radio housing of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity is sealed with potting.

14. The radio housing of claim 9, wherein the first cavity is in fluid communication with the second cavity.

15. The radio housing of claim 9, wherein the first bore is configured to receive a lower spring insert of the mast.

16. A method for assembling a relay module, the method comprising:

securing a mounting bracket to the top side of a radio housing;

securing a mast to the top side of the radio housing;

positioning a power source and a circuit within a housing interior of the radio housing; and

sealing the housing interior of the radio housing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the mounting bracket further comprises:

inserting a fastener through a bracket fastening hole of the mounting bracket; and

inserting the fastener into a bore defined in the top side of the radio housing.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fastener is a flat-head screw and the bracket fastening hole is counter-sunk.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the mounting bracket further comprises:

aligning a first concave surface defined by the mounting bracket with a second concave surface defined by the radio housing.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

connecting an antenna disposed in the mast to the circuit in electrical communication.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the mast further comprises:

inserting a lower spring insert of the mast through a bore defined in the top side of the radio housing; and

securing the lower spring insert with a fastener disposed in the housing interior.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein sealing the housing interior further comprises:

filling a cavity defined by the radio housing with potting.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein sealing the housing interior further comprises:

covering an opening defined by the radio housing with a plate.