Device for monitoring a hydrant

Abstract

A device for monitoring a hydrant (1), comprising a hydrant cap (2) designed to be arranged on a hydrant head (5), wherein at least one acoustic sensor (4), preferably designed for independent communication, is provided in the hydrant cap (2), wherein a preferably metallic support plate (14) is provided in the base region of the hydrant cap (2), which support plate has at least one integrated metallic contact bracket (25), wherein the acoustic sensor (4) is, in particular, a piezoelectric noise logger, and wherein the acoustic sensor (4) is arranged on the support plate (14) of the hydrant cap (2), and wherein the acoustic sensor (4) for detecting acoustic signals and vibrations is at least partially in direct mechanical contact with the contact bracket (25) and / or the support plate (14).

Description

[0001] Device for monitoring a hydrant

[0002] The invention relates to a device for monitoring a hydrant, a hydrant head and a hydrant with such a device, and a device for monitoring a water supply network.

[0003] Monitoring systems for hydrants are known from the prior art. For example, it is known to arrange acoustic sensors, vibration sensors, or position sensors on the hydrant to detect leaks or damage to the hydrant. For example, EP 3 763 887 A1 discloses a generic device for monitoring a hydrant.

[0004] However, known monitoring systems have the disadvantage that the measurement data acquired by the acoustic sensors, in particular, is subject to high measurement inaccuracies. This often results in an erroneous alarm message being transmitted in known systems. Furthermore, the use of acoustic sensors for electronic leak detection, in particular, poses the problem that ambient noise makes leak detection more difficult. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device that has improved acoustic measurement sensitivity for detecting leaks and also allows the measurement data to be processed electronically in an improved manner to avoid incorrect measurements. Furthermore, the device according to the invention should be retrofittable to existing hydrants.

[0005] These and other objects are achieved by a device having the features of the independent claim.

[0006] A device according to the invention for monitoring a hydrant comprises a hydrant hood designed for placement on a hydrant head. At least one acoustic sensor, preferably designed for autonomous communication, is provided in the hydrant hood. The acoustic sensor can preferably be designed as a piezoelectric noise logger.

[0007] A preferably metallic support plate is provided in the base area of ​​the hydrant hood, which has at least one integrated metallic contact bracket. The acoustic sensor is arranged on the support plate of the hydrant hood and is at least partially in direct mechanical contact with the contact bracket and / or the support plate to detect acoustic signals and vibrations.

[0008] The acoustic sensor detects the acoustic spectrum of the surface vibrations in the contact area with the contact bracket and / or the carrier plate, which may also include the infrasound and / or ultrasonic range.

[0009] In particular, the acoustic sensor detects the structure-borne noise of a vibrating hydrant caused by flow excitations caused by water leaks or by flow through the hydrant when open. The structure-borne noise is transmitted to the sensor with particularly low interference due to direct mechanical contact.

[0010] According to the invention, the acoustic sensor can be pressed at least partially through a recess in the support plate via preferably flexible support clamps. This ensures that the acoustic sensor rests against the hydrant head when the hydrant hood is arranged on the hydrant head and is clamped against it.

[0011] This means that vibrations from the hydrant are transmitted even better to the acoustic sensor, resulting in even greater measurement accuracy.

[0012] According to the invention, the support plate can be provided with a metallic spacer ring that is formed integrally with the support plate or welded to the support plate. This allows the vibrations of the hydrant head to be better transmitted to the support plate, resulting in an overall more rigid device.

[0013] According to the invention, the support plate can be provided with recesses designed to create a positive connection with the sprue pin of the hydrant head when the hydrant hood is arranged on the hydrant head. This ensures a rigid, positive connection between the hydrant head and the support plate.

[0014] Preferably, several recesses and sprues are provided, particularly preferably four each, distributed along the circumference of the support plate or the hydrant head. This ensures that vibrations, particularly torsional vibrations of the hydrant or hydrant head, are better transmitted to the acoustic sensor.

[0015] According to the invention, it can be provided that a rotation angle detection device, preferably comprising a magnetic rotation angle sensor, is provided on the support plate for detecting the rotation angle of a spindle of the hydrant, which is designed to detect the degree of opening of the hydrant.

[0016] According to the invention, a position sensor can be provided on the support plate, which is configured to detect the angle of inclination of the hydrant. This makes it possible to determine whether the hydrant is in a vertical position or has been knocked over by a vehicle. According to the invention, an acceleration sensor can be provided on the support plate, which is configured to detect a collision between a vehicle and the hydrant.

[0017] Of course, additional sensors can also be arranged on the carrier plate.

[0018] By accommodating at least one additional sensor next to the acoustic sensor on the support plate and thus in the hydrant hood, a simple retrofittable construction can be provided that protects the sensors from the environment and can be easily retrofitted to existing hydrants.

[0019] Optionally, a communication module is arranged on the carrier plate, which is designed to receive measurement data from the angle of rotation sensor, the position sensor, the acceleration sensor, and / or another sensor and to transmit it to a remote server via a wireless interface, in particular. The communication module can be configured to use a wireless access network, to receive requests from a remote server, and to transmit the measurement data to the server.

[0020] According to the invention, the acoustic sensor can utilize a standalone communication system, so that the communication module receives and forwards measurement data not from the acoustic sensor, but only from the angle of rotation sensor, the position sensor, the acceleration sensor, and / or other sensors. This increases the redundancy of the monitoring device. For example, the acoustic sensor can be configured to transmit the measurement data wirelessly, in particular via Bluetooth, preferably via an integrated antenna, to a terminal device in the vicinity of the sensor. This ensures secure and simple communication between the provided electronic devices.

[0021] In particular, the acoustic sensor can be a noise logger from Gutermann AG. The communication module can include an electronic signal processing unit for processing the measurement data. For example, the signal processing unit can contain a programmable electronic filter that filters the measurement data as required. The communication module can include updatable firmware, with the parameters of the electronic filtering being part of the firmware. This allows a source of interference that is apparent in the measurement data to be suppressed as needed.

[0022] According to the invention, the communication module can be switched from a storage mode, in which no transmission of measurement data to the server is provided, to an operational mode, in which periodic transmission of measurement data to the server is provided. This can reduce the energy consumption required to perform monitoring. In particular, following a request from the remote server, the sensors of the monitoring system can be activated and data packets containing the measurement data can be sent. After the measurement data has been transmitted back, the communication module can switch back to storage mode.

[0023] The invention further extends to a hydrant head of a hydrant, comprising a hydrant hood with a device according to the invention. The invention further extends to a hydrant comprising a hydrant head according to the invention.

[0024] The invention further extends to a system for monitoring a water supply network, comprising at least one hydrant according to the invention and at least one server, wherein the server is configured to receive and store the measurement data sent by the hydrant, and wherein the access network is preferably designed as an LTE network, 5G network, Bluetooth or LoRaWAN, and wherein the server has a data processing unit for processing the measurement data and for generating monitoring data.According to the invention, the system according to the invention can comprise a monitoring unit configured to compare the monitoring data with reference data, in particular with historical data, and wherein the monitoring unit is connected to a warning unit configured to send a warning, preferably in the form of an SMS notification via a mobile network and / or as an email via the Internet, if the monitoring data deviate from the reference data. The reference data can be embodied as historical monitoring data. Optionally, a display unit is provided for displaying the monitoring data.

[0025] The reference data can be structured in the same way as the monitoring data, but can also be created in a different data format. The monitoring unit can be connected to a warning unit and configured to issue a warning if the reference data deviates from the monitoring data. This can alert a responsible person or authority if a hydrant is not functioning properly, prompting maintenance of the hydrant.

[0026] The comparison of reference data and monitoring data can be performed by calculating the difference between scalar values. It can also be provided that a statistical function, in particular the mean or standard deviation, is calculated for the comparison of monitoring data and reference data. Any deviation of the monitoring data from the reference data can be reported to the warning unit. For this purpose, the extent to which the monitoring data deviates from the reference data can also be quantified.

[0027] Communication can take place via the internet and / or the mobile network or other communication channels. The communication module can receive the measurement data either unprocessed in the frequency domain and / or in the time domain, or as processed measurement data from at least one sensor. The remote server can also be configured to store the transmitted measurement data. Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments, the figures, and the patent claims.

[0028] In the following, the invention is explained in detail using a non-exclusive embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention for monitoring a hydrant in an exploded view with a hydrant head; Figs. 2a and 2b show the embodiment of Fig. 1 in two different three-dimensional oblique views;

[0030] Fig. 3a and 3b show the embodiment of Fig. 1 in two different sectional views;

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a system according to the invention for monitoring a hydrant.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for monitoring a hydrant 1. The device comprises a hydrant hood 2, which is designed for arrangement on a hydrant head 5. An acoustic sensor 4 is provided in the hydrant hood 2. The sensor 4 is a cylindrical piezoelectric noise logger. A substantially circular, metallic support plate 14 is provided on the underside of the hydrant hood 2. The sensor 4 is attached to the metallic support plate 14.

[0033] The carrier plate 14 has a metallic contact bracket 25 and a recess for receiving the acoustic sensor 4. When installed, the acoustic sensor 4 is at least partially in close mechanical contact with both the contact bracket 25 and, via the recess, with the carrier plate 14. The acoustic sensor 4 records the acoustic spectrum of the structure-borne noise introduced into the hydrant hood 2 or into the carrier plate 14. The acoustic sensor 4 is pressed through the recess in the carrier plate 14 by flexible carrier clamps 17, so that when the hydrant hood 2 is arranged on the hydrant head 5, the noise logger is also clamped against the hydrant head 5 on the underside of the hydrant hood 2 and contacts it. Furthermore, the carrier plate 14 has a spacer ring 22 on its underside, which is welded to the carrier plate 14 in this embodiment.The spacer ring 22 is preferably arranged on the outer circumference of the support plate 14 and extends toward the hydrant head. In this embodiment, the spacer ring 22 is approximately 10 mm high and directly contacts the top of the hydrant head 5.

[0034] Furthermore, the support plate 14 has four circular recesses 26 which are designed to produce a positive connection with four correspondingly arranged, cylindrical sprue pins 27 of the hydrant head 5 when the hydrant hood 2 is arranged on the hydrant head 5.

[0035] A communications module 3 is arranged in the hydrant hood 2 and on the support plate 14. The components of the communications module 3 are shown offset vertically for illustrative purposes. It comprises a lower housing 23 and an upper housing 24, as well as electronic components. A battery 16 is arranged in a battery carrier 18. The other illustrated components of the communications module 3 relate to the electronic components, as well as a circuit board and plastic parts for the physical formation of the module.

[0036] Furthermore, a magnetic key 15 is shown, which enables activation of the communication module 3.

[0037] In this embodiment, the communication module 3 is configured to transmit data via LoRaWAN. In other embodiments, the communication module 3 can also be configured to use another wireless network, such as an LTE network, a 5G network, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or WLAN.

[0038] Also shown are fastening screws intended for connecting the lower housing 23 to the upper housing 24. The hydrant hood 2 further has a central circular opening through which a spindle 7 of the hydrant 1 can protrude. In this embodiment, the angle of rotation of the spindle 7 can be electronically detected by a rotation angle sensor 19.

[0039] Finally, four break-off screws 20 are provided under the hydrant hood 2. The screw heads of the break-off screws 20 are arranged in rectangular recesses in the support plate 14 when assembled. Furthermore, a screw carrier 21 is provided for fastening the break-off screws 20, which fastens the break-off screws 20 to the support plate 14 in a bracket-like manner when assembled.

[0040] Figs. 2a and 2b show the embodiment of Fig. 1 in two different three-dimensional oblique views. Fig. 2a shows the hydrant hood 2 from above with additional installed components. A rotation angle sensor 19 is provided for detecting the rotation angle of the spindle 7. A magnetic key 15 is also shown.

[0041] Fig. 2b also partially depicts the acoustic sensor 4 according to the invention, which is arranged between the support plate 14 and the hydrant hood 2. The screw heads of the four predetermined breaking screws 20, which protrude into the rectangular recesses of the support plate 14, are also visible.

[0042] Fig. 3a and 3b show the embodiment of Fig. 2a and 2b in two different sectional views. Both figures show the hydrant hood 2, the support plate 14, the angle sensor 19, and the spacer ring 22. Fig. 3a also shows a sectioned view of the magnetic key 15, and Fig. 3b shows an exemplary full section of the acoustic sensor 4.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a system for monitoring a hydrant 1. In this embodiment, the hydrant 1 also includes a communication module 3 and is schematically represented as a block. The hydrant 1 can communicate via the Internet through its communication module 3 in this embodiment, which is schematically represented as a cloud symbol. The communication module 3 can use a wireless access network and is configured to receive requests from the remote server 8 and to transmit measurement data 6 to a server 8.

[0044] In this embodiment, the communication module 3 receives measurement data 6 from a rotation angle sensor of a rotation angle detection 19. Furthermore, an acoustic sensor 4 is also arranged on the hydrant 1, which communicates independently.

[0045] In the network scheme according to the invention, hydrant 1 is a client. Multiple clients, i.e., multiple hydrants 1, can be provided, each of which can communicate via the Internet, thus forming a hydrant network.

[0046] On the server side, a data processing unit 9 and a server 8 are provided, which is connected to the data processing unit 9 and is configured to store the measurement data 6. The data processing unit 9 is configured to process and manage the measurement data 6 and to generate monitoring data 12. The monitoring data 12 can be transmitted directly to a display unit 13 for display. However, the monitoring data 12 can also first be transmitted to a monitoring unit 10 and compared with reference data, in particular with historical data, and then both the monitoring data 12 and the reference data can be transmitted to the display unit 13 for display. However, the comparison of the monitoring data 12 with the reference data takes place independently of the display unit 13.

[0047] The monitoring unit 10 is connected to a warning unit 11, which is configured to issue a warning if the monitoring data 12 deviates from the reference data. In this embodiment, the warning is transmitted via the Internet and is addressed to any electronic address.

[0048] In other embodiments, the server 8, the monitoring unit 10, and the warning unit 11 can also be formed as a single electronic entity in the server-side data processing unit 9, which also includes a data memory. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but encompasses all devices and methods within the scope of the following patent claims.

[0049] Reference symbol

[0050] 1 fire hydrant

[0051] 2 hydrant hoods

[0052] 3 Communication module

[0053] 4 Acoustic sensor

[0054] 5 Hydrant head

[0055] 6 Measurement data

[0056] 7 spindle

[0057] 8 servers

[0058] 9 Data processing unit

[0059] 10 Monitoring unit

[0060] 11 Warning unit

[0061] 12 Monitoring data

[0062] 13 Display unit

[0063] 14 Carrier plate

[0064] 15 magnetic keys

[0065] 16 Battery

[0066] 17 carrier clamps

[0067] 18 battery trays

[0068] 19 Rotation angle detection

[0069] 20 Breaking screw

[0070] 21 screw carriers

[0071] 22 spacer ring

[0072] 23 Lower housing

[0073] 24 upper housing

[0074] 25 contact brackets

[0075] 26 Recess

[0076] 27 sprue pins

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for monitoring a hydrant (1), comprising a hydrant cover (2) designed for arrangement on a hydrant head (5), wherein at least one acoustic sensor (4), preferably designed for autonomous communication, in particular a piezoelectric noise logger, is provided in the hydrant cover (2), characterized in that a. a preferably metallic support plate (14) is provided in the base region of the hydrant cover (2), which has at least one integrated metallic contact bar (25), wherein b. the acoustic sensor (4) is arranged on the support plate (14) of the hydrant cover (2), and c. the acoustic sensor (4) is at least partially in direct mechanical contact with the contact bar (25) and / or the support plate (14) for detecting acoustic signals and vibrations.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acoustic sensor (4) projects at least partially through a recess in the carrier plate (14) via preferably flexible support clamps (17), so that it is clamped against the hydrant head (5) when the hydrant cover (2) is arranged on the hydrant head (5).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier plate (14) has a spacer ring (22) which is formed integrally with or welded to the carrier plate (14).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carrier plate (14) has several, preferably four, recesses (26) which are designed to create a positive connection with several, preferably four, sprue pins (27) of the hydrant head (5) when the hydrant hood (2) is arranged on the hydrant head (5). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a rotation angle detection device (19) for detecting the rotation angle of a spindle (7) of the hydrant (1) is provided on the support plate (14), which is configured to detect the degree of opening of the hydrant (1). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a position sensor is provided on the support plate (14), which is configured to detect an angle of inclination of the hydrant (1). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an acceleration sensor is provided on the support plate (14), which is configured to detect a collision with a vehicle.Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a communication module (3) is arranged on the carrier plate (14), the communication module being configured to receive measurement data (6) from the rotation angle detection (19), the position sensor and / or the acceleration sensor and to transmit it to a remote server (8) via a preferably wireless interface. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the communication module (3) comprises an electronic signal processing unit for processing the measurement data (6) of the sensor (4), wherein the parameters of the electronic signal processing unit are preferably updateable by the communication module (3).Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the communication module (3) can be switched from a storage mode in which no transmission of measurement data (6) to the external server (8) is provided to an operational mode in which periodic transmission of measurement data (6) to the external server (8) is provided. Hydrant head (5) of a hydrant (1), comprising a hydrant cover (2) with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Hydrant (1), comprising a hydrant head (5) according to claim 11. System for monitoring a water supply network, comprising at least one hydrant (1 ) according to claim 12 and at least one server (8), characterized in that the server (8) is configured to receive and store the measurement data (6) sent by the hydrant (1 ) via an access network, wherein the access network is preferably configured as an LTE network, 5G network or as LoRaWAN, and wherein the server (8) has a data processing unit (9) for processing the measurement data (6) and for generating monitoring data (12).System according to claim 13, characterized in that a monitoring unit (10) is provided which is configured to compare the monitoring data (12) with reference data, in particular with historical data, and wherein the monitoring unit (10) is connected to a warning unit (11) which is configured to send a warning, preferably in the form of an SMS notification via a mobile network and / or as an email via the Internet, when the monitoring data (12) deviates from the reference data. System according to claim 14, characterized in that a display unit (13) is provided for displaying the monitoring data (12).System according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the reference data are designed as historical data, which comprise monitoring data (12) from a predetermined period of the past and can optionally be displayed on the display unit (13) in comparison to the current monitoring data (12).

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