NOZZLE CAP MULTI-BAND ANTENNA ASSEMBLY

• US 20170237158A1
• Filed: 09/02/2016
• Published: 08/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gibson, Daryl Lee, Ortiz, Jorge Isaac, Dunn, David James Carlos, Li, Yanlong, Faunce, Jesse Alvin
• Granted Patent: US 10,305,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/06 Covers
• 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: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00

Abstract

A nozzle cap assembly can include a nozzle cap housing configured to mount on a hydrant, a nozzle cap cover mounted on the nozzle cap housing, an antenna cover positioned on the nozzle cap housing and secured by the nozzle cap cover, the nozzle cap housing, the antenna cover, and the nozzle cap cover can define an antenna cover cavity, and an antenna assembly can be positioned in the antenna cover cavity.

Claims

1. A nozzle cap assembly comprising:

a nozzle cap housing configured to mount on a hydrant;

a nozzle cap cover mounted on the nozzle cap housing;

an antenna cover positioned on the nozzle cap housing and secured by the nozzle cap cover, and the nozzle cap housing, the antenna cover, and the nozzle cap cover defining an antenna cover cavity; and

an antenna assembly positioned in the antenna cover cavity.

2. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap housing defines an antenna mounting surface and the antenna cover defines an inner surface, and wherein the antenna mounting surface of the nozzle cap housing, the inner surface of the antenna cover, and the antenna assembly define a curved shape.

3. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 2, wherein the curved shape of the antenna mounting surface and the antenna cover is frustoconical.

4. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the antenna assembly comprises a first antenna structure and a second antenna structure, the first antenna structure configured to transmit over a first set of frequency bands, and the second antenna structure configured to transmit over a second set of frequency bands.

5. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap housing further comprises a portion of internal threading configured to secure the nozzle cap housing to the hydrant.

6. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap housing defines a lower rim distal from the nozzle cap cover, the antenna cover securely positioned between the lower rim and the nozzle cap cover.

7. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap cover covers an opening defined by the nozzle cap housing, the nozzle cap cover and the nozzle cap housing defining an interior cavity.

8. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 7, wherein the nozzle cap housing defines a port extending from the interior cavity through the nozzle cap housing to an exterior of the nozzle cap housing.

9. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 8, wherein the nozzle cap assembly further comprises a Reed switch positioned within the port.

10. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 9, wherein the Reed switch is secured within the port by potting, the potting sealing the port.

11. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 7, wherein the nozzle cap assembly further comprises a PCB positioned within the interior cavity and operably connected to the antenna assembly.

12. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 11, wherein the nozzle cap assembly further comprises a sensor operably connected to the PCB.

13. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 11, wherein the nozzle cap assembly further comprises an inner cover positioned within the interior cavity and mounted to the nozzle cap housing, the PCB positioned within the inner cover.

14. A method for monitoring for a parameter in a fluid system, the method comprising:

mounting a sensing node on the nozzle of a hydrant connected in fluid communication with the fluid system, the sensing node further comprising;

a nozzle cap housing;

a nozzle cap cover mounted on the nozzle cap housing, the nozzle cap cover and the nozzle cap housing defining an interior cavity;

an antenna cover positioned on the nozzle cap housing and secured by the nozzle cap cover, the nozzle cap housing, the antenna cover, and the nozzle cap cover defining an antenna cover cavity;

a sensor mounted within the interior cavity and configured to collect data for the parameter; and

an antenna assembly positioned in the antenna cover cavity and configured to transmit a signal carrying data gather by the sensor;

activating the sensing node;

gathering data of the parameter with the sensor; and

transmitting the data collected by the sensor with the antenna assembly.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensing node further comprises a Reed switch configured to activate the sensing node when exposed to a magnetic field.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the antenna assembly comprises a first antenna structure and a second antenna structure, the first antenna structure configured to transmit over a first set of frequency bands, and the second antenna structure configured to transmit over a second set of frequency bands.

17. A smart fluid system comprising:

a fluid system;

a hydrant connected in fluid communication to the fluid system, the hydrant comprising a nozzle;

a sensing node mounted on the nozzle of the hydrant, the sensing node comprising;

a nozzle cap housing;

a nozzle cap cover attached to the nozzle cap housing, the nozzle cap cover and the nozzle cap housing defining an interior cavity;

an antenna cover mounted on the nozzle cap housing and secured between the nozzle cap housing and the nozzle cap cover, the nozzle cap housing, the nozzle cap cover, and the antenna cover defining an antenna cover cavity;

a sensor positioned within the interior cavity, the sensor configured to collect data for a parameter of the fluid system; and

an antenna assembly mounted to the nozzle cap housing, the antenna assembly positioned within the antenna cover cavity, the antenna assembly configured to transmit the data collected by the sensor.

18. The smart fluid system of 17, wherein the antenna assembly, the antenna cover, and an antenna mounting surface of the nozzle cap housing each define a curved shape.

19. The smart water network of 17, wherein the sensing node is an acoustic node configured to detect a leak in the distribution main.

20. The smart water network of 17, wherein the nozzle cap housing defines a lower rim distal from the nozzle cap cover, the antenna cover positioned on the nozzle cap housing and secured between the lower rim and the nozzle cap cover.