Infrastructure monitoring devices, systems, and methods

• US 8,931,505 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2011
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Clayton Robert Iii Barker, Gregory E. Hyland
• Inventors: Hyland, Gregory E., Keefe, Robert Paul, Zakas, Marietta Edmunds, Barker, Clayton Robert III
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): WADDY, JONATHAN J
• Application Number:
  US13/101,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20110308638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 137/377, 137/551, 137/296, 340/603, 239/71, 138/90, 138/104
• US Class Current: 137/296
• 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

An infrastructure monitoring system and method include multiple communications devices. At least one communications device is coupled to an element of the infrastructure.

Claims

1. A nozzle cap assembly comprising:

a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap including a nut and internal threading;

an enclosure, the enclosure including external threading, wherein the external threading of the enclosure connects the enclosure to the internal threading;

a communications device coupled to the nozzle cap, the communications device including an antenna, wherein the communications device is a component of an infrastructure monitoring system; and

an antenna cover, the antenna cover attached to the nut, at least a portion of the antenna situated within the antenna cover, the antenna extending through the nut, and the antenna and the antenna cover protruding outwardly from the nozzle cap.

2. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap defines an interior cavity and wherein the communications device is located inside the interior cavity.

3. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the communications device is insulated from water.

4. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap is comprised of a composite material.

5. The nozzle cap 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 nozzle cap assembly of claim 4, wherein the composite material does not interfere with wireless signals.

7. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap assembly includes a cover to seal the enclosure.

8. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 7, wherein the cover creates a water tight seal on the enclosure.

9. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 8, wherein the communications device is positioned within the enclosure and the cover.

10. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 8, wherein the cover and enclosure are water tight up to 400 psi.

11. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection between the enclosure and the nozzle cap is water tight up to 400 psi.

12. The nozzle cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap is coupled to a fire hydrant.

13. A fire hydrant comprising:

a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap including a nut and internal threading;

an enclosure, the enclosure including external threading, wherein the external threading of the enclosure connects the enclosure to the internal threading;

a communications device coupled to the nozzle cap, the communications device including an antenna, wherein the communications device is a component of an infrastructure monitoring system, the communications device being communicatively connected to a transceiver of at least one monitoring device, the at least one monitoring device located remotely from the communications device; and

an antenna cover, the antenna cover attached to the nut, at least a portion of the antenna situated within the antenna cover, the antenna extending through the nut, the antenna and the antenna cover protruding outwardly from the nozzle cap.

14. The fire hydrant of claim 13, wherein the nozzle cap defines an interior cavity and wherein the communications device is located inside the interior cavity.

15. The fire hydrant of claim 13, wherein the communications device is insulated from water.

16. The fire hydrant of claim 13, wherein the nozzle cap is comprised of a composite material.

17. The fire hydrant of claim 16, 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.

18. The fire hydrant of claim 16, wherein the composite material does not interfere with wireless signals.

19. The fire hydrant of claim 13, wherein the fire hydrant includes a cover to seal the enclosure.

20. The fire hydrant of claim 19, wherein the cover creates a water tight seal on the enclosure.

21. The fire hydrant of claim 20, wherein the communications device is positioned within the enclosure and the cover.

22. The fire hydrant of claim 20, wherein the cover and enclosure are water tight up to 400 psi.

23. The fire hydrant of claim 19, wherein the connection between the enclosure and the nozzle cap is water tight up to 400 psi.