Data communication appratus, system, and method

• US 9,961,418 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2015
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Jr., Ernesto M., Amann, Vaughn G., Schrix, Lars, Weichold, Jens, Laprais, Anne-Maud B., Redinger, David H., Jesme, Ronald D., Badzinski, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Flores, Leon
• Application Number:
  US15/318,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20170127156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/88 Providing power supply at the sub-station
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A data communication apparatus, system, and method are described. The data communication system comprises a transceiver disposed on an entrance port to an enclosure, such as an underground enclosure. The transceiver includes a housing, the housing mountable to the entrance port, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a network outside of the underground enclosure. The data communication system also includes a monitoring device disposed in the underground enclosure that provides data related to a real-time condition within the underground enclosure. The data communication system also includes a sensor analytics unit to process the data from the monitoring device/sensor and generate a processed data signal and to communicate the processed data signal to the transceiver.

Claims

1. A data communication system, comprising:

a transceiver including active electronics, an antenna, and Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry, disposed on a metal entrance port to an underground enclosure, the transceiver including a housing, the housing mountable to the metal entrance port, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a network outside of the underground enclosure;

a monitoring device disposed in the underground enclosure that provides data related to a real-time condition within the underground enclosure; and

a sensor analytics unit to process the data from the monitoring device and generate a processed data signal and to communicate the processed data signal to the transceiver.

2. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device comprises a sensor.

3. The data communication system of claim 2, wherein the sensor detects at least one of:

power, voltage, current, temperature, combustible materials or byproducts of combustion, mechanical strain, mechanical movement, humidity, soil condition, pressure, hazardous atmosphere, liquid flow, leakage, component end-of-life or lifetime, personnel presence, physical state, light level, and vibration.

4. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver includes a communications gateway unit.

5. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the sensor analytics unit includes a digital signal processor.

6. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the sensor analytics unit includes a wireless network communications chip.

7. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver unit includes a hardened above ground antenna and radio.

8. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to send aggregated information upstream to another aggregation node or cloud server above ground.

9. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to respond to messages sent to it by an upstream aggregation node or cloud.

10. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the entrance port comprises a manhole cover and a ring portion to receive the manhole cover.

11. The data communication system of claim 10, wherein the transceiver is secured to the manhole cover and a portion of the transceiver housing extends through a hole formed in the entrance cover.

12. The data communication system of claim 11, wherein the transceiver housing portion extending through the hole formed in the entrance cover is substantially flush with a top surface of the entrance cover.

13. The data communication system of claim 10, wherein the transceiver is secured to a ring portion of the entrance port.

14. The data communication system of claim 1, further comprising a power harvesting device coupled to at least one power line located in the enclosure.

15. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the sensor analytics unit contains a plurality of interface ports configured to connect to one or more environmental sensors.

16. A data communication system, comprising:

a transceiver including active electronics, an antenna, and Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry, disposed on a metal entrance port to an underground enclosure, the transceiver including a housing, the housing mountable to the entrance port, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a network outside of the underground enclosure; and

a sensored cable accessory mounted to a power line located in the underground enclosure, the sensored cable accessory including a sensor that measures data related to a real-time condition within the underground enclosure, a signal processing chip to process the measured data, and a communication chip to communicate processed data to the transceiver.

17. The data communication system of claim 16, wherein the sensored cable accessory further comprises a power harvesting device coupled to the power line to provide power to the signal processing chip and communication chip.

18. The data communication system of claim 17, wherein the enclosure comprises an underground vault.

19. The data communication system of claim 17, wherein the enclosure comprises a grade level or above-ground enclosure.

20. A data communication system, comprising:

a transceiver including active electronics, an antenna, and Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry, disposed on a metal portion of an underground enclosure containing utility equipment, the transceiver including a housing, the housing mountable to the underground enclosure, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a network outside of the underground enclosure;

a monitoring device disposed in the underground enclosure that provides data related to a real-time condition within the underground enclosure; and

a sensor analytics unit to process the data from the monitoring device and generate a processed data signal and to communicate the processed data signal to the transceiver.