Guard sensor device for use in cable, pipe or wire transits and method for guarding cable, pipe or wire transits

Abstract

A guard sensor apparatus is disclosed for use with a cable, pipe, or wire transit of a type having one or more compressible transit elements to enable installation of a seal on one or more cables, pipes, or wires, where the seal installation requires proper installation and tightening of one or more clamping members. The guard sensor apparatus includes a base portion and a cover portion. The cover portion is attachable to the base portion by a mechanical connection, such as a snap-lock connection, thereby forming an internal cavity therebetween for accommodating a protruding portion of one of the clamping members when properly installed and tightened. The guard sensor apparatus further includes a sensor disposed on either the base portion or the cover portion. The sensor is adapted to detect removal of the cover portion from the base portion and, in response, generate a warning signal indicating that the seal on the installation may have been compromised.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of cable, pipe or wire sealing installations, and more particularly to guard sensor devices for use with cable, pipe or wire transits of the type having one or more transit elements to enable the sealing of one or more cables, pipes or wires, said sealing installation requiring the appropriate attachment and tightening of one or more clamping members. The present invention also relates to related methods of guarding cable, pipe or wire transits of the aforementioned types. [Background technology]

[0002] Sealing systems for cables, pipes and wires are commonly used in many different environments, such as cabinets, technical shelters, junction boxes, machinery, etc. Sealing systems are used in a variety of industries, such as automotive, communications, power generation and distribution, marine and offshore, etc. Sealing systems provide an effective seal against liquids, gases, fire, rodents, termites, dust, moisture, etc. and may involve electrical, communications and computer cables, pipes for various gases or liquids, such as water, compressed air, hydraulic fluids and cooking gas, and wires for load bearing.

[0003] The applicant is a global leader in the development of cable, pipe, or wire transits for sealing purposes. Transits, also known as lead-throughs, consist of one or more transit elements that are assembled into one or more cable, pipe, or wire sealing installations during on-site installation. A commonly used transit type essentially has a rectangular frame within which multiple modules are arranged to receive cables, pipes, or wires. The modules are made of a resilient material, such as rubber or plastic, making them compressible and adaptable to different outer diameters of cables, pipes, or wires. The modules are typically arranged in one or more rows with compression units. The compression units are positioned between the frame and the modules, and when a set of clamping members (such as screws or bolts) is activated to expand the compression units, the compressible modules are compressed around the cables, wires, or pipes. Therefore, proper installation and tightening of the clamping members is essential for proper sealing of the installation.

[0004] For ease of explanation, the term "cable" will be used primarily in this specification, but this should be interpreted broadly and those skilled in the art will recognize that it typically also covers pipes or wires, or their equivalents.

[0005] Another type of transit has an essentially cylindrical shape and is intended to be received in a wall or wall opening within a sleeve, also known as a pipe sleeve. To perform its desired function, the transit fits snugly into the sleeve or wall opening into which it is received, allowing the transit to adapt to the actual installation dimensions, which are determined by the inner diameter of the sleeve or opening. The transit has a cylindrical compressible body, which can be axially compressed between fittings at opposite ends of the compressible body by operating a set of clamping members within an appropriate range (a certain clamping torque) to obtain a sealed installation. The axial compression causes the cylindrical body to expand both radially inward and outward. Furthermore, the received cables may have different outer diameters, and therefore the module is adaptable to cables with different outer diameters.

[0006] In some designs, the combined frame and compressible module may constitute the only single transit element of the transit, and thus effectively constitute such a transit. Other types of transits are known in the art, as those skilled in the art will be well aware of.

[0007] As those skilled in the art will note, the sealed status of the transit equipment is dependent upon proper installation of the transit and sufficient tightening of the fastening members, a fact that is important to note.

[0008] Patent Document 1 discloses one prior art approach in this regard. Patent Document 1 presents a compression indicator clip shaped and designed to fit onto the stems of a pair of screws (i.e., fastening members) of a compression unit (also known as a wedge) in the first type of transit described above, i.e., a transit having a rectangular frame for accommodating multiple transit elements including numerous compressible modules. The compression indicator clip has an elongated shape with two rounded ends, and the length of the clip corresponds to the distance between the screws of the compression unit. In this type of transit, tightening the screws increases the distance between the head of each screw and the front face of the compression unit. Therefore, properly tightening the screws means that the screws protrude a certain given distance A from the compression unit, and the width of the compression indicator clip (more specifically, the width of its two rounded ends) corresponds to this given distance A. Therefore, when the screws of the compression unit are tightened to the given protruding distance A, the compression clip fits onto the screws of the compression unit. Thus, successful application of the compression indicator clip to the compression unit screws serves as confirmation that the screws have been properly tightened and, therefore, as a visual indication of the proper sealing of the transit equipment.

[0009] The compression indicator clip of Patent Document 1 is a purely mechanical device, and therefore has several drawbacks due to the fact that it can only provide a purely visual indication of the transit equipment's sealing status. To utilize the information inherent in the compression indicator clip, a human inspector's eyes are required. The inspector must visually confirm that the compression indicator clip is attached to the thread of the compression unit and ask themselves whether the compression indicator clip is indeed properly attached to the thread. This means that, first, the inspector must necessarily travel to the immediate vicinity of the transit to inspect the compression indicator clip and thus know the transit equipment's sealing status. There is also a certain risk that the inspector will not notice a slight misalignment of the compression indicator clip on the thread.

[0010] Patent Document 2 presents another approach for tracking the sealing status of transit facilities. A transit guard unit is provided on the transit and configured to detect conditions that indicate whether the transit facility is sealed, or at least potentially unsealed. The transit guard unit transmits information about the detected conditions to a communication network via a communication interface or to a mobile device via a short-range wireless communication interface. A central monitoring unit receives the information about the detected conditions, registers the information, and makes it available to users. Users can benefit from being updated about the status of the transit, even when they are located far from the actual transit. The status information is communicated from the central monitoring unit back to the transit guard unit, which can present the status information locally on the transit through a set of LED indicators, a multicolor LED indicator, or a display screen on a status indicator unit that can be integrated with the transit guard unit or located as a separate device next to the transit.

[0011] The approach taken in US Patent No. 5,949,699 has several advantages. It represents a digital system-oriented solution to the problem of monitoring the status of transit facilities. This solution is inherently scalable, since a central monitoring unit can operatively communicate with multiple transit guard units located at multiple respective transit facilities. Thus, remote centralized monitoring of a large number of transit facilities becomes possible.

[0012] Nevertheless, this approach has several drawbacks. The transit guard unit requires a certain physical design for use with a given type of transit. For the aforementioned type of transit having a compression unit (wedge) actuated by one or more fastening members (e.g., screws), the transit guard unit is generally a specially designed device housing adapted for attachment to the compression unit, with respective recesses on the underside of the device housing for engagement with the fastening members. This can be seen in Figures 4A-4B and 5A-5D of the '2007 patent. A sensor is positioned in one of the recesses and adapted to detect whether the transit guard unit is in place on the compression unit or has been removed therefrom.

[0013] The drawback is that it requires space in front of the Transit to allow the somewhat bulky TransitGuard unit to be attached to the Transit's compression unit, which can be difficult if installation space is tight or if the Transit must accommodate many thick cables.

[0014] A related drawback is that when installing a Transit Guard unit, the installer must properly position the entire unit onto the compression unit's fasteners. Because the recesses are located on the underside of the Transit Guard unit, the unit's equipment housing can substantially obstruct the view of the installer. The installer does not receive direct feedback as to whether the Transit Guard unit was properly installed onto the Transit compression unit.

[0015] Another drawback is that the Transit Guard unit protrudes from the front of the transit vehicle, potentially exposing people passing by. If this occurs, the Transit Guard unit's position may be inadvertently shifted, triggering the sensor and transmitting an erroneous detection result to the central monitoring unit.

[0016] Yet another drawback is that a Transit Guard unit designed in this way can only be used with transits that have this particular type of compression unit. If used with other types of transits that have different compression units, the entire equipment housing of the Transit Guard unit must be redesigned. This problem is even more pronounced when it is desired to use the Transit Guard unit with a transit type that does not even have this type of compression unit, but rather involves other means or methods for achieving a sealed installation. In this case, the operator of the surveillance system may need to provide many different Transit Guard units customized for different types of transits. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0017] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2007 / 097706 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2018 / 208215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0018] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide one or more improvements in monitoring or guarding cable, pipe or wire transits of the type having one or more compressible transit elements to allow for the installation of a sealing for one or more cables, pipes or wires, said sealing requiring the appropriate installation and tightening of one or more clamping members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] One aspect of the present invention is a guard sensor apparatus for use with a cable, pipe, or wire transit of a type having one or more compressible transit elements to enable the installation of a seal on one or more cables, pipes, or wires, the seal requiring the proper installation and tightening of one or more clamping members. The guard sensor apparatus includes a base portion and a cover portion. The cover portion is attachable to the base portion by a mechanical connection, such that the cover portion and the base portion form an internal cavity therebetween. The internal cavity is suitable for accommodating a protrusion of one of the clamping members when properly installed and tightened. The guard sensor apparatus further includes a sensor disposed on either the base portion or the cover portion, adapted to detect removal of the cover portion from the base portion and, in response, to generate a warning signal indicating that the seal on the installation may have been compromised.

[0020] Advantageously, the mechanical connection is a snap-lock connection for engaging the cover portion with the base portion. Using a mechanical connection in the form of a snap-lock connection is beneficial for several reasons. First, it facilitates attachment of the cover portion to the base portion without the use of a separate tool. Second, the two parts securely engage. Third, a clicking sound may be generated when the two parts engage, which may serve as audible and, in some cases, tactile feedback to the person installing the guard sensor apparatus that the guard sensor apparatus has been successfully installed on the transit. Fourth, in situations where it is desired to remove the cover portion from the base portion, such as when a transit maintenance operation is required, such removal may be conveniently accomplished, again without the use of a separate tool.

[0021] The device may further include means for communicating an alert signal to the guard host device. In one or more embodiments, the means for communicating an alert signal to the guard host device includes a signal cable at one end mechanically coupled to the base and operably connected to the sensor, and a cable connector at the other end of the signal cable for connecting the signal cable to the guard host device. Alternatively, the means for communicating an alert signal to the guard host device may include a wireless communication interface.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the guard sensor device further comprises an elongated rigid support member having one end coupled to the base portion and an opposite end adapted to be coupled to the housing of the guard host device.

[0023] Advantageously, the sensor is susceptible to a magnetic field and is provided on one of the base and cover portions, and the guard sensor arrangement further comprises a magnetic element that is a source of the magnetic field and is provided on the other of the base and cover portions. Alternatively, the sensor may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an electrical switch, and a photosensor.

[0024] The fastening member may typically be selected from the group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a pin bolt, and a nut.

[0025] Advantageously, the snap-lock connection is formed by a pair of resilient locking tongues on one of the cover and base parts and a pair of corresponding engagement structures on the other of the base and cover parts, the corresponding engagement structures being adapted to engage the resilient locking tongues when the cover part is attached to the base part, and a protrusion of said one fastening member being received in an internal cavity formed between the base and cover parts.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the internal cavity is formed by one or more recesses in the base portion and one or more recesses in the cover portion. Each of the base portion and the cover portion may include a first recess and a second recess for forming the internal cavity, the first recess being shaped and dimensioned to receive a first portion of a protrusion of the one fastening member, and the second recess being shaped and dimensioned to receive a second portion of the protrusion of the one fastening member. When the one fastening member is a screw or a bolt with a nut, the first recess is beneficially shaped and dimensioned to receive a freely exposed portion of the stem of the screw or bolt, and the second recess is shaped and dimensioned to receive a head of the screw or nut.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, each of the base portion and the cover portion includes a recess for forming an internal cavity, the recess having a shape and dimension for receiving a protrusion of the one fastening member, and each of the base portion and the cover portion further includes respective side edge portions that together define an opening that mates with a groove in a spacer element disposed on the stem of the one fastening member.

[0028] In some embodiments of the guard sensor device, the base portion and cover portion are configured and designed to be attached to a pair of clamping members of a transit compression unit that further has a rectangular frame for housing a plurality of compressible modules.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment of the guard sensor device, the base portion and the cover portion are configured and designed to be attached to one clamping member of a compression unit in a transit further having a cylindrical compressible body axially compressible by actuation of a plurality of clamping members, the plurality of clamping members including the one clamping member.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention is a method of guarding a cable, pipe or wire transit of the type having one or more compressible transit elements to allow for the installation of a seal on one or more cables, pipes or wires. actuating one or more clamping members to an appropriate degree to obtain said sealing arrangement; placing a base portion of the guard sensor device against a protrusion of one of the one or more fastening members; attaching a cover portion to said base portion by a mechanical connection, thereby forming an interior cavity therebetween for receiving a protrusion of said one fastening member when in proper operation; detecting removal of the cover portion from the base portion by a sensor disposed on either the base portion or the cover portion; responsively generating a warning signal indicating that the seal of the equipment may have been compromised; Includes.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the mechanical connection is a snap-lock connection that engages the cover part with the base part.

[0032] The method may advantageously further comprise the step of communicating the warning signal to a guard host device.

[0033] Further aspects and features of the present invention and its embodiments, together with problems solved and advantages achieved, are defined by the appended claims and are set forth in the detailed description and in the drawings.

[0034] It should be emphasized that, as used herein, the term "comprises / comprising" is to be interpreted to specify the presence of a stated feature, integer, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. All terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the art, unless expressly defined otherwise herein. All references to "one / the [element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of an element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated otherwise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] The objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic isometric view of a prior art transit with multiple transit elements assembled into a multiple cable sealing installation during on-site installation. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic isometric view of a first type of transit element in the form of an essentially rectangular frame; FIG. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic isometric view of a second type of transit element in the form of a compressible module according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 2C] 1 is a schematic isometric view of a third type of transit element in the form of a stayplate according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 2D] 1 is a schematic isometric view of a fourth type of transit element in the form of a wedge or compression unit according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 2E] FIG. 10 is a schematic isometric view of a fifth type of transit element in the form of a compression indicator clip according to the prior art. [Figure 3A]2 is a schematic isometric view of a transit of generally the same type as in FIG. 1, having a pair of clamping members to which a guard sensor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be attached; [Figure 3B] 3B is a schematic isometric view of a transit as generally seen in FIG. 3A, also showing a guard sensor device according to a first embodiment attached to a clamping member; [Figure 3C] 3C is a schematic isometric view of a transit and guard sensor device as generally seen in FIG. 3B, also showing a guard host device in operative communication with the guard sensor device. [Figure 4A] 2 shows the guard sensor device according to the first embodiment in more detail. [Figure 4B] 2 shows the guard sensor device according to the first embodiment in more detail. [Figure 4C] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the guard sensor device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4D] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the guard sensor device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] 1 is a schematic isometric view of a different type of transit, having a number of clamping members, with a guard sensor device according to a second embodiment of the invention attached to one of these clamping members; [Figure 5B] 1 is a schematic isometric view of a different type of transit, having a number of clamping members, with a guard sensor device according to a second embodiment of the invention attached to one of these clamping members; [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a guard sensor device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5D] 5A and 5B show a guard sensor device according to a second embodiment mounted on different types of fastening members that may be used in a transit of the type shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring system for the transit of cables, pipes or wires in which a guard sensor device according to the present invention may be used; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a flow chart diagram illustrating a method for guarding a cable, pipe or wire transit in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0038] The detailed disclosure begins with a brief description of a transit of the type referred to in the Background section of this document as a rectangular frame type. Such a transit 1, also referred to as a leadthrough, is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. The transit 1 comprises a number of different transit elements 10, 20, 30, 40, 42 that are combined into a sealing arrangement for a number of cables 2 during installation in the field. In general, the transit elements that make up the transit may be of different types and may exist as a single instance or multiple instances, depending on the implementation.

[0039] As can be seen in Figure 1, Transit 1 consists of a frame 10 within which are arranged a number of compressible modules of different sizes (only three of the compressible modules are shown in Figure 1 as 201, 202 and 203). The frame 10 of Transit 1 is attached by packings, seals or welded joints 12.

[0040] The compressible module 20 is shown in FIG. 2B. The compressible module 20 has a box-shaped body divided into two halves 22, 24. The bodies 22, 24 have multiple layers 26 of elastic material concentrically arranged around a central core 28. By removing the core 28 and peeling back the appropriate number of layers 26 during installation, the compressible module 20 can be adapted to securely engage cables 2 of different diameters. In the example seen in FIG. 1, only two cables 2 are attached to two respective modules 20; the remainder of the modules 20 of FIG. 1 are not currently being used for cable lead-throughs and therefore still have their respective cores 28 in place.

[0041] As can be seen from FIG. 1, a (main) transit element type (such as compressible module 20) may then appear in different (secondary) types, which are distinguished, for example, by size (see modules 202 and 203 in FIG. 1).

[0042] FIG. 2C shows a third type of transit element in the form of a stay plate 30, which is used to separate different rows of compressible modules 20 within the frame 10, as seen in FIG.

[0043] 2D shows a fourth type of transit element in the form of a compression unit (wedge) 40. The compression unit 40 is positioned between the frame 10 and the module 20 such that, when the compression unit is expanded, the compressible module is compressed around the cable 2 and a sealed arrangement is achieved.

[0044] It should be noted that different transits can vary considerably in size and complexity depending on the nature and implementation requirements of the facility's location.

[0045] As identified in the Background section of this document, there is a general need for monitoring or guarding transits operating in the field, and more specifically, the sealed status of transit facilities. FIG. 2E illustrates one of the prior art approaches mentioned in the Background section of this document, including a fifth type of transit element in the form of a compression indicator clip (wedge clip) 42. When the compression unit 40 is fully expanded, the fastening member (e.g., bolt or screw) 41 will protrude far enough for the compression indicator clip 42 to be attached thereto. (Note that FIG. 2D illustrates the compression unit 40 in an unexpanded state with the fastening member 41 still in a retracted position.) It is recalled that once the compression indicator clip 42 is successfully attached to the protruding fastening member 41, this serves as a visual indication that the compression unit 40 is fully expanded, ultimately presuming that the transit facility is sealed. The compression indicator clip 42 can further serve to prevent accidental loosening (de-inflation) of the compression unit 40.

[0046] A guard sensor device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3A to 4D. The guard sensor device 100 represents an improved solution to the problem of monitoring or guarding the sealing status of transit equipment. The guard sensor device 100 of the first embodiment can be used with any transit whose sealing condition requires that the clamping member 41 operate to some extent so as to protrude from the surface of the transit.

[0047] Thus, guard sensor device 100 can be used with, for example, a rectangular frame type transit 1, much like the transit 1 shown and described with reference to the preceding figures. This can be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B. When the clamping members 41 of the compression unit 40 in transit 1 are actuated (tightened) to a sufficient degree to compress the compressible module 20, guard sensor device 100 can be mounted thereon. This can be seen in FIGS. 3B-3C and appears more clearly in FIGS. 4A-4D. As seen in FIG. 3C, guard sensor device 100 can be in operative communication with guard host device 50.

[0048] In particular, as seen in FIGS. 4C-4D , guard sensor device 100 has a housing divided into base portion 110 and cover portion 120. Housing members 110 and 120 may be made from a suitable material, such as, but not limited to, a plastic material. Cover portion 120 is attachable to base portion 110 by mechanical connections 114a-b, 124a-b. In the disclosed embodiment, the mechanical connections are snap-lock connections, but in alternative embodiments, other means for achieving engagement between the cover and base portions may be implemented. Such other means may include, for example, surfaces on the cover and base portions that create a frictional engagement between the cover and base portions, or fasteners such as threads that are received by a nut or screw.

[0049] However, a snap-lock connection is believed to be particularly beneficial for several reasons. It facilitates attachment of the cover portion 120 to the base portion 110 without the use of a separate tool. Furthermore, it provides a secure engagement between the two parts. It may also provide an audible click when the two parts engage. This click may serve as audible, and in some cases tactile, feedback to the person installing the guard sensor device that the guard sensor device has been successfully installed on the transit. Furthermore, in situations where it is desirable to remove the cover portion from the base portion, such as when transit maintenance operations are required, this may be accomplished conveniently, again without the use of a separate tool.

[0050] In the disclosed embodiment, the snap lock connection is more specifically formed by a pair of resilient locking tongues 124a, 124b on the cover portion 120 that engage with corresponding engagement structures 114a, 114b on the base portion 110. In other embodiments, the resilient locking tongues may be provided on the base portion, with corresponding engagement structures formed on the cover portion.

[0051] When cover portion 120 is attached to base portion 110, these parts define therebetween internal cavities 116a-b, 126a-b for accommodating a protrusion of one of clamping members 41a of compression unit 40 of Transit 1 (see also FIGS. 3A and 3B). As can be seen in FIGS. 4C and 4D, internal cavities 116a-b, 126a-b are formed by recesses 116a, 116b in base portion 110 and recesses 126a, 126b in cover portion 120.

[0052] The recesses 116a, 116b, 126a, and 126b are shaped and dimensioned such that the internal cavities 116a-b, 126a-b formed by these recesses rather snugly receive the protrusions of the aforementioned one fastening member 41a when it is properly installed and fastened. The fastening member 41a may typically be a screw in the disclosed embodiment, and accordingly, the recesses 116a and 126a are shaped and dimensioned to match the freely exposed portion of the stem of the screw 41a, while the recesses 116b and 126b are shaped and dimensioned to match the head of the screw 41a.

[0053] Therefore, provided that the fastening members 41 (including the aforementioned fastening member 41a) are properly attached and fastened to the compression unit 40 of the Transit 1, the guard sensor device 100 can be conveniently attached to the Transit 1 by attaching it to the compression unit 40 of the Transit 1 as follows. i) The base portion 110 is positioned so that the stem of the screw 41 and the lower part of the free exposed portion of the head of the screw 41 are received in the recesses 116a and 116b. ii) The cover part 120 is positioned so that the stem of the screw 41 and the upper part of the free exposed part of the head of the screw 41 are received in the recesses 126a and 126b. The stem of the screw 41 can pass through the opening formed by the side edge portions 118, 128 of the base part and the cover part 110, 120. iii) Applying force to the cover portion 120 toward the base portion 110 (e.g., by pinching the cover portion 120 and base portion 110 between the thumb and index finger) causes the locking tongues 124a, 124b to engage with the corresponding engagement structures 114a, 114b, forming a snap-lock connection. When this occurs, a clicking sound is generated, which, as previously described, may serve as an audible and, in some cases, tactile indication of successful installation of the guard sensor apparatus 100 on the transit 1.

[0054] The other fastening member 41 is received and accommodated in a corresponding recess formed in the opposite end of the guard sensor device 100, as can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the drawings.

[0055] As seen in FIG. 4C , the sensor 130 is disposed on the base portion 110. The sensor 130 is adapted to detect the removal of the cover portion 120 from the base portion 110 and, in response, generate a warning signal S (seen in FIG. 6 ) indicating that the transit facility's seal may have been compromised. In other embodiments, the sensor may be disposed on the cover portion 120. The sensor 130 may be a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an electric switch, a photosensor, or generally any type of sensor capable of detecting the removal of the cover portion 120 from the base portion 110. It should be noted here that the design of the guard sensor apparatus 100 with a snap-lock connection has the benefit that the guard sensor apparatus 100 securely engages with the transit 1, thereby reducing the risk that the guard sensor apparatus 100 and its sensor 130 will be inadvertently pushed out of alignment with the fastening member as a result of accidental physical interference with a person or object passing near the transit 1.

[0056] In the disclosed embodiment of FIG. 4C , sensor 130 is a magnetic sensor susceptible to a magnetic field and is provided on base portion 110. Magnetic sensor 130 is provided on a circuit board 132 covered by a cap 138. In the disclosed embodiment, guard sensor apparatus 100 further comprises a magnetic element 134 that provides a source of such a magnetic field and is provided on cover portion 120. Magnetic element 134 is received in a recess 122 provided in cover portion 120. In other embodiments, the magnetic sensor may be provided on cover portion 120 and the magnetic element may be provided on base portion 110. Such a magnetic sensor arrangement is believed to represent a robust solution particularly suited for durable, long-term operation.

[0057] In the disclosed embodiment, the guard sensor device 100 includes a socket 148. See particularly FIGS. 4A and 4D. The purpose of the socket 148 is to allow the guard sensor device 100 to be connected to the guard host device 50. As seen particularly in FIGS. 3C and 4B, the connection is achieved via a cable gland 142, a signal cable 140, and a cable connector 144. Elements 140, 142, and 144 constitute a means for transmitting an alarm signal S, such as that generated by the sensor 130, to the guard host device 50. The signal cable 140 has one end 148 mechanically coupled to the base 110 and electrically connected to the circuit board 132, thereby operably connected to the sensor 130. The sensor 130 may be powered by the guard host device 50 via the signal cable 140. A cable connector 144 at the other end of the signal cable 140 connects the signal cable 140 to the guard host device 50.

[0058] To facilitate installation of the guard host device 50 on the front of the Transit 1, an elongated rigid support member 146 may be provided which is coupled at one end to the base portion 110 and at the other end to the housing of the guard host device 50. This can be seen in Figures 3C and 4B.

[0059] However, in alternative embodiments, no rigid support member is provided and instead the guard host device 50 may be placed, for example, at floor level near the transit 1 or on its rectangular frame 10. This may have the advantage that the guard host device 50 is positioned so as not to interfere with the passage of people or objects.

[0060] In a further alternative embodiment, the means for transmitting the warning signal S to the guard host device 50 may not be cable-based, but may comprise a wireless communication interface, which further facilitates flexible positioning of the guard host device 50 relative to the transit 1. The sensor 130 and wireless communication interface may then have to be powered by an internal power source, such as a battery, within the guard sensor device 100.

[0061] A second embodiment 200 of the guard sensor device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5D. This second embodiment is particularly suitable for use with transits other than rectangular-frame types. Therefore, as seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the guard sensor device 200 is used with a transit 1' having an essentially cylindrical configuration. The transit 1' has a cylindrical compressible body 25, which can be axially compressed between joints at opposite ends of the compressible body by actuating a plurality of clamping members 41' to an appropriate degree (i.e., a certain tightening torque) to obtain a sealed transit installation. The axial compression causes the cylindrical body 25 to expand both radially inward and outward, thereby sealing the transit 1' outward toward an opening in the building structure (e.g., a wall) in which it is placed and inward toward the cable passing through the center of the cylindrical body 25.

[0062] Unlike the first embodiment, the extent to which the fastening member 41' of the transit 1' protrudes from the front face of the transit 1' will not itself be indicative of proper installation and fastening. Therefore, the housing design of the guard sensor device 200 according to the second embodiment differs from the housing design of the guard sensor device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0063] Nevertheless, guard sensor device 200 comprises a base portion 210 and a cover portion 220, the cover portion 220 being attachable to the base portion 210 by a mechanical connection in the form of a snap-lock connection 214a-b; 224a-b, thereby defining an internal cavity 216, 226 therebetween for accommodating a protruding portion of one of the fastening members 41′, which in the second embodiment is designated as 41a′, when properly attached and fastened.

[0064] The snap-lock connection is formed by a pair of resilient locking tongues 224a, 224b on one of the cover portion 220 and the base portion 210 (cover portion 220 in the second disclosed embodiment) and a pair of corresponding engagement structures 214a, 214b on the other of the base portion 210 and the cover portion 220 (base portion 210 in the second disclosed embodiment). The corresponding engagement structures 214a, 214b are adapted to engage with the resilient locking tongues 224a, 224b when the cover portion 220 is attached to the base portion 210 (again advantageously producing a clicking sound), and the protrusions of the one fastening member 41a' are received in internal cavities 216, 226 formed between the base portion 210 and the cover portion 220.

[0065] The base portion 210 and the cover portion 220 each include a recess 216, 226, respectively, to form an internal cavity. The recesses 216, 226 are shaped and sized to receive the protrusion of the one fastening member 41 a'. The base portion 210 and the cover portion 220 each further include side edge portions 218, 228, respectively, which together define an opening that mates with the groove of a spacer element 43 disposed on the stem portion of the one fastening member 41 a'.

[0066] As in the first embodiment, the sensor 230 is disposed on the base portion 210 (or in an alternative embodiment, the cover portion 220). The sensor 230 is adapted to detect removal of the cover portion 220 from the base portion 210 and, in response, generate a warning signal S to indicate that the transit facility's seal may have been compromised. The sensor 230 may generally be like the sensor 130 mentioned above for the first embodiment. Thus, in the disclosed second embodiment, the sensor 230 is susceptible to a magnetic field, and the guard sensor apparatus 200 further comprises a magnetic element 234, which is a source of such a magnetic field and is provided on the opposite one of the base portion and the cover portion (i.e., the cover portion 220 in the disclosed second embodiment). Alternatively, the sensor 230 may be, among others, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an electric switch, or a photosensor.

[0067] Further similar to the first embodiment, the guard sensor device 200 includes means for transmitting the warning signal S, as generated by the sensor 230, to the guard host device 50. This means includes a cable gland 242, a signal cable 240, and a cable connector (not shown). The signal cable 240 is mechanically coupled at one end to the base portion 210 and electrically connected to a circuit board (not shown), thereby operably connecting to the sensor 230 mounted on the circuit board. The sensor 230 can be powered by the guard host device 50 via the signal cable 240. A cable connector at the other end of the signal cable 240 connects the signal cable 240 to the guard host device 50.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment, the means for transmitting the alert signal S to the guard host device 50 may not be cable-based, but may comprise a wireless communication interface. The sensor 230 and wireless communication interface may then have to be powered by an internal power source, such as a battery, within the guard sensor device 200.

[0069] Figure 5D shows how the guard sensor apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is attached to different types of fastening members 41 a' that can be used with a transit 1' of the type shown in Figures 5A and 5B. On the left side of Figure 5D, the guard sensor apparatus 200 is attached to a fastening member 41 a' in the form of a screw with a hexagonal head. In the center of Figure 5D, the guard sensor apparatus 200 is attached to a fastening member 41 a' in the form of a screw with a cap head. On the right side of Figure 5D, the guard sensor apparatus 200 is attached to a fastening member 41 a' in the form of a pin bolt with a nut.

[0070] 6 illustrates a monitoring system 300 for cable, pipe or wire transits, in which a guard sensor apparatus 100; 200 according to the invention can be used together with a guard host apparatus 350. It should be noted that in FIG. 6 only the sensors 130; 230 of the guard sensor apparatus 100; 200 are shown. A central monitoring unit 370 is provided, as explained above, for receiving reports from the guard host apparatus 350 regarding the current conditions at the transit 1; 1' detected by the guard sensor apparatus 100; 200 and communicated to the guard host apparatus 350. It is recalled that the conditions detected by the guard sensor apparatus 100; 200 indicate whether the cable, pipe or wire installation at the transit is sealed or at least potentially not sealed, i.e. whether the sealing of the transit installation may be compromised.

[0071] The central monitoring unit 370 may be implemented, for example, as a server computer, workstation computer, personal computer or laptop computer having an operating system and suitably programmed to perform the functionality described herein, or as a cluster of such computing devices, or as a cloud computing service.

[0072] As seen at 361, the central monitoring unit 370 and guard host device 350 are operatively connected by one or more communications networks 360, which may be a mobile telecommunications network (compliant with any commercially available mobile telecommunications standard, for example (without limitation) GSM, UMTS, LTE, D-AMPS, CDMA2000, FOMA, and TD-SCDMA), a wide area data network (such as the Internet or some form of an IP-based data network), a local area network (such as WiFi / WLAN, Bluetooth, or LAN network), an industrial data bus (such as ASI, CANbus, ProfiBus, or Modbus), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments of monitoring system 300, the guard host device 350 connects to the local area network via a wireless link, while the central guard unit 370 connects to the wide area network to which the local area networks are in turn connected.

[0073] Guard host device 350 is an embodiment of guard host device 50 disclosed and described above. It comprises a controller 351 that is responsible for the overall operation of guard host device 350. Controller 351 of guard host device 350 may be implemented, for example, as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or generally by any electronic circuitry capable of performing the functionality as described herein.

[0074] The guard host device 350 also includes a sensor interface 352 for receiving an alert signal S, such as that communicated 140; 240, from the guard sensor device 100; 200. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the sensor interface 352 may be a serial electrical interface for embodiments of the guard sensor device 100; 200 that operate via cable-based communications 140; 240, or a wireless communication interface for embodiments that operate wirelessly. Such a wireless communication interface may be implemented as, for example, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, ZigBee, WirelessHART, WiFi, Bluetooth, WCDMA, HSPA, GSM, UTRAN, UMTS, LTE, ASI, CANbus, ProFiBus, or Modbus.

[0075] Guard host device 350 further comprises memory 353, a battery 355 or other power source, and a communications interface 356 to communications network 360. Memory 353 may be implemented in any commonly known technology for electronic memory, such as, for example, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, CMOS, FLASH, DDR, or SDRAM.

[0076] The guard host device 350 further comprises a status indicator unit 390. The status indicator unit 390 comprises one or more LED indicators 392, and / or a display screen 394, and / or a short-range wireless communication interface 396. The status indicator unit 390 may be used to provide a local status indication at the transit facility 1' in response to a warning signal S received from the guard sensor device 100; 200, to indicate that the seals in the transit facility may have been compromised, or to indicate that no such warning signal S has been received and the seals are accordingly good. Additionally or alternatively, the status indicator unit 390 may be used to indicate information communicated from the central monitoring unit 370 to the guard host device 350, possibly in response to receiving a report from the guard host device 350 regarding the receipt of a warning signal S.

[0077] FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram illustrating a method 400 for guarding a cable, pipe or wire transit 1;1' of the type having one or more compressible transit elements 20;25 for enabling the installation of a seal on one or more cables 2, pipes or wires according to the present invention.

[0078] The method includes a first step 410 of actuating one or more clamping members 41; 41' to an appropriate degree to obtain a sealed arrangement.

[0079] Next, a second step 420 of the method 400 consists of applying the base portion 110; 210 of the guard sensor device 100; 200 to a protruding portion of one of the one or more clamping members 41; 41'.

[0080] A third step 430 of the method 400 includes attaching the cover portion 120; 220 to the base portion 110; 210 by a mechanical connection (a snap-lock connection in the disclosed embodiment) 114a-b, 124a-b; 214a-b; 224a-b, thereby forming an internal cavity 116a-b, 126a-b; 216, 226 therebetween for accommodating said one fastening member 41a; 41a' when properly actuated (i.e., when attached to the transit 1; 1' and tightened to an appropriate degree; note that such actuation has already occurred in the previous step 410).

[0081] A fourth step 440 of the method 400 includes detecting the removal of the cover portion 120 ; 220 from the base portion 110 ; 210 by a sensor 130 ; 230 located on either the base portion or the cover portion 110 , 120 ; 210 , 220 .

[0082] Finally, the method 400 includes a fifth step 450 of generating a warning signal S in response to the detection in step 440 to indicate that the seal of the equipment may have been compromised.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments are equally possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A guard sensor device (100; 200) for use with a cable, pipe or wire transit (1; 1') of the type having one or more compressible transit elements (20; 25) to enable the installation of a seal on one or more cables (2), pipes or wires, said seal requiring the appropriate installation and clamping of one or more clamping members (41; 41'), said guard sensor device (100; 200) comprising: a base portion (110; 210) and a cover portion (120; 220), the cover portion being attachable to the base portion by a mechanical connection (114a-b, 124a-b; 214a-b; 224a-b), thereby forming an internal cavity (116a-b, 126a-b; 216, 226) therebetween for accommodating a protrusion (41a, 41a') of one of the fastening members (41; 41'); a sensor (130; 230) arranged on either the base part or the cover part (110, 120; 210, 220) and adapted to detect the removal of the cover part (120; 220) from the base part (110; 210) and to generate a warning signal (S) in response, indicating that the sealing of the installation may have been compromised; A guard sensor device (100; 200) comprising:

2. 2. The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connection (114a-b, 124a-b; 214a-b; 224a-b) is a snap-lock connection for engaging the cover portion (120; 220) with the base portion (110; 210).

3. means (140, 142, 144; 240, 242) for transmitting said warning signal (S) to a guard host device (50); The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 1 further comprising:

4. The means for transmitting the warning signal (S) to the guard host device (50) comprises: a signal cable (140; 240) having one end (142; 148) mechanically coupled to said base portion (110; 210) and operatively connected to said sensor (130; 230); a cable connector (144) at the other end of the signal cable (140; 240) for connecting the signal cable to the guard host device (50); 4. The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 3, comprising:

5. 4. The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 3, wherein said means for transmitting said warning signal (S) to said guard host device (50) comprises a wireless communication interface.

6. 4. The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 3, further comprising an elongated rigid support member (146) having one end coupled to the base portion (110; 210) and another end adapted to be coupled to a housing of the guard host device (50).

7. 2. The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 1, wherein the sensor (130; 230) is susceptible to a magnetic field and is provided on one of the base and cover portions (110, 120; 210, 220), and the guard sensor device (100; 200) further comprises a magnetic element (134) that is a source of the magnetic field and is provided on the other of the base and cover portions (110, 120; 210, 220).

8. The sensor (130; 230) pressure sensors, Piezoelectric sensors, Electrical switches, and Photo sensor The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of:

9. The fastening member (41; 41') screw, bolt, Pin bolts, and nut The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of:

10. The snap-lock connection is formed by a pair of resilient locking tongues (124a, 124b; 224a, 224b) on one of the cover portion (120; 220) and the base portion (110; 210), and by a pair of corresponding engagement structures (114a, 114b; 214a, 214b) on the other of the base portion (110; 210) and the cover portion (120), and the corresponding engagement structures (114a, 114b; 214a, 214b) are formed by the cover portion (120; 220) and the base portion (110; 210) 3. The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 2, wherein the protrusion of one of the fastening members (41 a, 41 a′) is adapted to engage with the resilient locking tongues (124 a, 124 b; 224 a, 224 b) when the cover portion (120; 220) is attached to the base portion (110; 210), and the protrusion of one of the fastening members (41 a, 41 a′) is received in the internal cavity (116 a-b, 126 a-b; 216, 226) formed between the base portion (110; 210) and the cover portion (120; 220).

11. 2. The guard sensor device (100; 200) of claim 1, wherein the internal cavity (116a-b, 126a-b; 216, 226) is formed by one or more recesses (116a, 116b; 216) in the base portion (110; 210) and one or more recesses (126a, 126b; 226) in the cover portion (120; 220).

12. 12. The guard sensor device (100) of claim 11, wherein the base portion (110) and the cover portion (120) each have a first recess (116a, 126a) and a second recess (116b, 126b) for forming the internal cavity, the first recess (116a, 126a) being shaped and sized to receive a first portion of the protrusion of the one fastening member (41a, 41a'), and the second recess (116b, 126b) being shaped and sized to receive a second portion of the protrusion of the one fastening member (41a, 41a').

13. 13. The guard sensor device (100) of claim 12, wherein the one fastening member (41 a) is a bolt with a screw or a nut, the first recess (116 a, 126 a) is shaped and sized to receive a free exposed portion of the stem of the screw (41 a) or bolt, and the second recess (116 b, 126 b) is shaped and sized to receive a head of the screw (41 a) or the nut.

14. 12. The guard sensor device (200) of claim 11, wherein the base portion (210) and the cover portion (220) each include a recess (216, 226) for forming the internal cavity, the recess (216, 226) having a shape and dimension for receiving a protrusion of the one fastening member (41 a'), and the base portion (210) and the cover portion (220) each further include respective side edge portions (218, 228), the side edge portions together defining an opening that mates with a groove of a spacer element (43) disposed on a stem portion of the one fastening member (41 a').

15. 2. The guard sensor device (100) of claim 1, wherein the base portion (110) is shaped and designed to be attached to a pair of fastening members (41) of a compression unit (40) in a transit (1) further having a rectangular frame (10) for accommodating the compressible transit element in the form of a plurality of compressible modules (20), and the cover portion (120) is shaped and designed to be attached to one of the pair of fastening members (41a').

16. 2. The guard sensor device (200) of claim 1, wherein the base portion (210) and the cover portion (220) are formed and designed to be attached to one clamping member (41 a') in a transit (1') further having a cylindrical compressible body (25) that is axially compressible by actuating a plurality of clamping members (41'), the plurality of clamping members (41') including the one clamping member (41 a').

17. 1. A method for guarding a cable, pipe or wire transit (1; 1') of the type having one or more compressible transit elements (20; 25) for enabling the installation of a seal on one or more cables (2), pipes or wires, comprising: activating (410) one or more clamping members (41; 41') to an appropriate extent to obtain said sealing arrangement; a step (420) of applying a base portion (110; 210) of the guard sensor device (100; 200) to a protrusion (41a, 41a') of one of the one or more fastening members (41; 41'); a step (430) of attaching a cover portion (120; 220) to said base portion (110; 210) by a mechanical connection (114a-b, 124a-b; 214a-b; 224a-b), thereby forming an internal cavity (116a-b, 126a-b; 216, 226) therebetween for accommodating said protrusion of said one fastening member (41a; 41a') when in proper operation; detecting (440) the removal of the cover portion (120; 220) from the base portion (110; 210) by a sensor (130; 230) located on either the base portion or the cover portion (110, 120; 210, 220); In response thereto, generating (450) a warning signal (S) indicating that the seal of said equipment may have been compromised; A method comprising:

18. Engaging said cover part (120; 220) to said base part (110; 210) by said mechanical connection (114a-b, 124a-b, 214a-b, 224a-b) in the form of a snap-lock connection.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

19. communicating said warning signal (S) to a guard host device (50); 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

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