INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

• US 20180093117A1
• Filed: 11/18/2017
• Published: 04/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hyland, Gregory E., Keefe, Robert Paul, Zakas, Marietta Edmunds, Barker, Clayton Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,881,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 assembly includes a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap comprising a metallic material; an antenna cover, the antenna cover attached to the nozzle cap, the antenna cover comprising a plastic material, the antenna cover defining an antenna cavity; and an antenna extending into the antenna cavity. An infrastructure monitoring assembly includes a fire hydrant, the fire hydrant defining a nozzle; a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap comprising a metallic material, the nozzle cap attached to the nozzle and sealing the nozzle; an antenna cover attached to the nozzle cap, the antenna cover comprising a plastic material, the antenna cover defining an antenna cavity; and an antenna disposed within the antenna cavity.

Claims

1. An infrastructure monitoring assembly comprising:

a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap comprising a metallic material;

an antenna cover attached to the nozzle cap and comprising a non-metallic material; and

an antenna covered by the antenna cover.

2. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the nozzle cap defines a threaded bore;

the threaded bore defines an axis; and

the antenna cover defines an axis that is coaxial to the axis of the thread bore.

3. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure cover configured to seal an enclosure disposed within the nozzle cap.

4. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 3, further comprising a transmitter disposed within the enclosure.

5. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 4, wherein the nozzle cap defines a hole, and wherein the antenna is connected to the transmitter through the hole.

6. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the antenna is disposed external to the nozzle cap.

7. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the nozzle cap defines a first end and a second end;

the first end is disposed opposite from the second end; and

at least a portion of the antenna cover is positioned between the first end and the second end.

8. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, wherein the antenna cover comprises a plastic material.

9. An infrastructure monitoring assembly comprising:

a fire hydrant, the fire hydrant defining a nozzle;

a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap comprising a metallic material, the nozzle cap attached to the nozzle and sealing the nozzle;

an antenna cover attached to the nozzle cap, the antenna cover comprising a non-metallic material; and

an antenna covered by the antenna cover.

10. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 9, wherein the nozzle cap defines a threaded bore, wherein the threaded bore receives the nozzle, and wherein the nozzle cap seals a nozzle bore defined by the nozzle.

11. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 10, further comprising a sensor disposed within an enclosure, the sensor configured to monitor a fluid within the nozzle bore.

12. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 11, wherein the enclosure is sealed by a cover, and wherein the sensor is isolated from the fluid.

13. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 9, further comprising a transmitter disposed within an enclosure, the antenna connected to the transmitter, wherein the enclosure is disposed within the nozzle cap, wherein the nozzle cap defines a hole extending through the nozzle cap, and wherein the antenna is connected to the transmitter through the hole.

14. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 13, wherein the antenna cover comprises a plastic material.

15. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the antenna is positioned external to the nozzle cap, and wherein the portion of the antenna is at least partially covered by the antenna cover.

16. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 9, wherein the nozzle cap defines a shoulder, and wherein the antenna cover engages the shoulder.

17. An infrastructure monitoring assembly comprising:

a housing;

an antenna disposed at least partially external to the housing;

a sensor disposed within an enclosure of the housing; and

a transmitter disposed within the enclosure, the transmitter configured to receive data from the sensor, the transmitter connected to the antenna through a hole defined by the housing, the transmitter configured to transmit data from the sensor through the antenna.

18. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a metallic material.

19. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 17, wherein:

the housing defines a threaded bore;

the threaded bore defines an axis;

the infrastructure monitoring assembly further comprises an antenna cover;

the antenna cover covers an antenna cavity that is coaxial to the axis; and

the antenna is at least partially enclosed within the antenna cavity.

20. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the antenna cavity is external to the housing.