Non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for compression type wet and dry barrel fire hydrants

• US 8,589,092 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2010
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digital Water Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 2236128 Ontario, Inc.
• Inventors: Plouffe, Don, Nissen, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundu, Sujoy
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US12/827,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20120004866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 702/50, 73/15.7
• US Class Current: 702/50
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/00 Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools

Abstract

A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant includes an upper portion or the head and a lower portion or the barrel having an opening. A water flow control mechanism mounted at the opening of the lower portion of the barrel for controlling the water flowing through the barrel. An operating rod for activating the water flow control mechanism having an upper operating rod and a lower operating rod extends through the barrel between the upper and lower portions. The upper operating rod is secured to the head and the bottom of the lower operating rod is secured through the water flow control mechanism to extend beyond the lower portion of the barrel. A water pressure measuring device is housed within the bottom of the lower operating rod and extending beyond the bottom of the lower operating rod. A communication mechanism is positioned remotely from the dry barrel fire hydrant for receipt, collection and distribution of information collected from the water pressure measuring device.

Claims

1. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant comprising:

(a) an upper portion and a lower portion having an opening;

(b) a water flow control mechanism mounted at the opening of the lower portion of the barrel for controlling the water flowing through the barrel;

(c) an operating rod for activating the water flow control mechanism having an upper operating rod and a hollow lower operating rod and extends through the barrel between the upper and lower portions, the upper operating rod secured to a head and the lower operating rod secured through the water flow control mechanism to extend beyond the lower portion of the barrel in to the water;

(d) a water pressure measuring device for continuously measuring pressure housed within the hollow lower operating rod wherein the water pressure measuring device extends through the water flow control mechanism and partially beyond the lower portion of the barrel and submerged into the water thereby allowing the water to flow into the hollow lower operating rod, allowing for measurement of pressure at multiple points along the hollow lower operating rod; and

(e) a communication mechanism positioned within the operating rod from the dry barrel fire hydrant for receipt, collection and distribution of information collected from the water pressure measuring device.

2. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 1 wherein the water flow control mechanism is a ball and seat assembly.

3. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 2 wherein the water pressure measuring device is a submersible pressure transducer with sensor and transducer cable.

4. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lower operating rod further includes apertures in the hollow portion to allow for the transducer cable to pass from the hollow portion of the operating rod to the lower portion.

5. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 4 wherein the side of the lower operating rod further comprises a channel for accepting and securing the transducer cable to the lower operating rod.

6. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 3 wherein the bottom end of the lower operating rod further comprises a series of channels adjacent to the placement of the water pressure monitoring device which are adapted to receive a sealing mechanism for ensuring water does not flow past the pressure monitoring device into the lower portion.

7. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 3 wherein the communication mechanism is a data logger connected to the transducer cable.

8. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 3 wherein the communication mechanism is a data logger and communication with the data logger is conducted wirelessly.

9. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant comprising:

(a) an upper portion and a lower portion having an opening;

(b) a water flow control mechanism mounted at the opening of the lower portion for controlling the water flowing through the lower portion;

(c) an operating rod for activating the water flow control mechanism having an upper rod and a hollow lower rod and extends through the barrel between the upper and lower portions, the upper rod secured to a head and the lower rod secured through the water flow control mechanism to extend beyond the lower portion into the water;

(d) a water pressure measuring device for continuously measuring, collecting and sending information, wherein the water pressure measuring device extends through the water flow control mechanism and partially beyond the lower portion of the barrel and submerged into the water thereby allowing the water to flow into the hollow lower operating rod, allowing for measurement of pressure at multiple points along the hollow lower operating rod; and

(e) a communication mechanism housed within the operating rod of the dry barrel fire hydrant for receipt, collection and distribution of information collected from the water pressure measuring device.

10. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 9 wherein the water flow control mechanism is a ball and seat assembly.

11. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 10 wherein the water pressure measuring device is a submersible pressure transducer with sensor and transducer cable.

12. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 11 wherein the bottom of the lower operating rod further comprises a series of channels adjacent to the placement of the water pressure monitoring device which are adapted to receive a sealing mechanism for ensuring water does not flow past the pressure monitoring device into the lower portion.

13. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 11 wherein the communication mechanism is a battery operated data logger connected to the transducer cable.

14. A non interrupting on-line water distribution pressure monitoring system for a dry barrel fire hydrant as claimed in claim 13 wherein communication with the data logger is conducted wirelessly.