ENCLOSURE FOR LEAK DETECTOR

• US 20130036796A1
• Filed: 06/08/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fleury, Leo W. Jr., Williams, James O., Dintakurti, Ganapathi Deva Varma, Yusuf, Shabbir
• Granted Patent: US 9,593,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40.5R
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/14 Punching tools; Punching dies
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/003 Arrangement for testing of watertightness of water supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/06 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/00 Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/24 using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/225 used in level-measurement devices, e.g. for level gauge measurement
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• 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: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes

Abstract

A leak detection structure for attachment to a fire hydrant includes an enclosure, the enclosure defining a cavity internal to the enclosure and a leak detection subassembly located in the cavity, the leak detection subassembly including at least one leak detection sensor and at least one circuit.

Claims

1. A leak detection structure for attachment to a fire hydrant, the leak detection structure comprising:

an enclosure, the enclosure defining a cavity internal to the enclosure; and

a leak detection subassembly located in the cavity, the leak detection subassembly including;

at least one leak detection sensor; and

at least one circuit.

2. The leak detection structure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is an enclosure assembly including a primary enclosure and a mating enclosure connected to the primary enclosure.

3. The leak detection structure of claim 2, wherein the primary enclosure defines the cavity, wherein the cavity is open on one side of the primary enclosure, and wherein the mating enclosure is connected to the primary enclosure on the open side of the cavity such that the mating enclosure substantially seals the interior of the enclosure from the exterior of the enclosure.

4. The leak detection structure of claim 2, further comprising at least one circuit arranged in the cavity and at least one vibration sensor coupled to the enclosure.

5. The leak detection structure of claim 4, wherein each at least one circuit is encased in potting and wherein each vibration sensor is not encased in potting.

6. The leak detection structure of claim 4, further comprising at least one battery.

7. The leak detection structure of claim 6, wherein the at least one battery arranged in a cavity of the mating enclosure and wherein the at least one battery is encased in potting.

8. The leak detection structure of claim 7, wherein the at least one battery is removably connected to the at least one circuit.

9. The leak detection structure of claim 1, further comprising an antenna in electrical communication with the at least one circuit.

10. The leak detection structure of claim 9, wherein the antenna protrudes from the enclosure.

11. The leak detection structure of claim 10, wherein an antenna cable connects the antenna to the at least one circuit.

12. The leak detection structure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes threading for attachment to enclosure threading of the fire hydrant.