Smart pipe system

• US 9,468,163 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2013
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R. Hashimshony Engineering Ltd.
• Original Assignee: R. Hashimshony Engineering Ltd.
• Inventors: Hashimshony, Rami
• Primary Examiner(s): MATTEI, BRIAN DAVID
• Application Number:
  US14/413,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20150201569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/06 Watering arrangements making use of perforated pipe-lines located in the soil
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/00 Constructive types of pipe joints not provided for in groups F16L13/00 - F16L23/00 adjustable or allowing movement F16L27/00; with fluid cut-off means F16L29/00; quick-acting F16L37/00; for double-walled or multi-channel pipes F16L39/00; connecting arrangements or other fittings specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics F16L47/00; specially adapted for pipes of brittle material F16L49/00 ; Details of pipe joints not otherwise provided for, e.g. electrically conducting or insulating means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/00 Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems the preceding groups and groups F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; nozzles B05B; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02; arrangements of draining devices for water main or service pipe systems E03B7/08; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10; draining devices for hydrants E03B9/14; for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/00; steam traps for draining of liquids from enclosures containing gases or vapours F16T; arrangements for sealing leaky tubes or conduits of heat-exchangers F28F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A system includes pipes, each of which has a pipe passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from the pipe passageway. At least one fluid connector has a connector passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from the connector passageway. The pipes are fluidly and electrically connected to the at least one fluid connector. An irrigation controller and a power source are electrically connected to the pipes.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

pipes, each of which has a pipe passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from said pipe passageway;

at least one fluid connector which has a connector passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from said connector passageway, said pipes being fluidly and electrically connected to said at least one fluid connector;

a fastener that tightens between the pipe and said at least one fluid connector and achieves electrical connectivity between the electrical conductors of said at least one fluid connector and said pipe, wherein said fastener forces a portion of said electrical conductor of said at least one fluid connector through an insulating wall of said pipe until electrical connectivity is achieved with the electrical conductor of said pipe; and

a controller and a power source electrically connected to said pipes, wherein said controller comprise metal contacts in electrical contact with electrical transmission lines in said controller, said metal contacts being said portion of said electrical conductor which is forced through the insulating wall of said pipe.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a guide on at least one of said pipes and said fluid connector that guides engagement and aligns the electrical conductors of said pipe and said fluid connector or of said pipe and said controller.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conductors comprise data transmission lines for communicating with a data source.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conductors are in electrical communication with an alarm that warns of a defect in any of the pipes or a defect in an electrical connection with any of the pipes, said alarm operative to sense change in circuitry characteristics.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein insertion of said pipes into said at least one fluid connector achieves a water-tight connection and electrical connection.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fluid connector comprises a pipe fitting and a connector body, and wherein each of said pipes is inserted in a gap between an inner circumference of the connector body and an outer circumference of the pipe fitting.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein said guide comprises a mechanical protrusion, a groove, a mark or a color mark.

8. The system according to claim 6, further comprising an inner volume between said pipe fitting and said connector body.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor capable of measuring flow or measuring temperature, light intensity, soil saturation, humidity, or wind intensity of an environment of the system.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said pipes comprises a water passage with a circular or elliptical wall and conductive wires placed in a protruding extension alongside the wall, said protruding extension comprising an interface breakable at a breaking point.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive pipe branch comprising a conductive pipe branch body connectable to an external surface of the pipe by melting or gluing.

12. A method comprising:

fluidly and electrically connecting pipes, each of which has a pipe passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from said pipe passageway, with at least one fluid connector which has a connector passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from said connector passageway, so that said pipes are fluidly and electrically connected to said at least one fluid connector;

using a fastener to tighten between the pipe and said at least one fluid connector and to achieve electrical connectivity between the electrical conductors of said at least one fluid connector and said pipe, wherein said fastener forces a portion of said electrical conductor of said at least one fluid connector through an insulating wall of said pipe until electrical connectivity is achieved with the electrical conductor of said pipe; and

using a controller and a power source electrically connected to said pipes, wherein said controller comprise metal contacts in electrical contact with electrical transmission lines in said controller, said metal contacts being said portion of said electrical conductor which is forced through the insulating wall of said pipe.

13. The method according to claim 12, and electrically connecting an irrigation controller and a power source to said pipes.