Hydrant Nozzle Cap Vertical Vibration Sensor Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting leaks in water systems connected to fire hydrants is challenging due to background noise from wind, rain, vehicles, and pedestrian activity, which can trigger false alarms and obscure leak detection.
Innovation Solution
A vibration sensor integrated into the fire hydrant nozzle cap, utilizing a piezoelectric vibration sensor aligned vertically with the barrel axis to optimize signal-to-noise ratio, converts vibrations from the water system into voltage signals for leak detection, with adjustable gasket thickness or shims to optimize sensor orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vibration sensor is installed on the fire hydrant to detect leaks, then leak detection capability is improved, but false alarms increase due to background noise from wind, rain, vehicles, and pedestrian activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by orienting the vibration sensor vertically along the barrel axis to specifically detect vibrations propagating from the underground water system, while filtering out horizontal vibrations from ambient sources like wind, rain, and pedestrian activity. This directional sensitivity allows the sensor to focus on leak-related vibrations while rejecting background noise, thereby improving both leak detection capability and reducing false alarms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring vibration signals and comparing them against threshold values to distinguish between normal background vibrations and actual leak conditions. The sensor provides ongoing vibration data that is processed to determine whether the vibration pattern and intensity indicate a leak, enabling the system to adapt to ambient conditions while maintaining reliable leak detection
2Measurement precision
If the vibration sensor is oriented horizontally, then it can detect ambient vibrations, but it becomes more sensitive to background noise from wind, rain, and pedestrian activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by orienting the vibration sensor vertically along the barrel axis to specifically detect vibrations propagating from the underground water system, while filtering out horizontal vibrations from ambient sources like wind, rain, and pedestrian activity. This directional sensitivity allows the sensor to focus on leak-related vibrations while rejecting background noise, thereby improving both leak detection capability and reducing false alarms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The vertically aligned vibration sensor enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by 3-8 dB, improving leak detection accuracy and reducing false alarms, with vertically oriented sensors demonstrating higher sensitivity and reliability in detecting leaks.
Implementation Method 1
A vibration sensor integrated into the fire hydrant nozzle cap, utilizing a piezoelectric vibration sensor aligned vertically with the barrel axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A nozzle cap (150) includes a cap body (210), the cap body defining a cap axis extending from a first body end of the cap body to a second body end of the cap body; and a vibration sensor (380) attached to the cap body, the vibration sensor defining a sensor axis extending from a first sensor end of the vibration sensor to a second sensor end of the vibration sensor, the sensor axis aligned perpendicular to the cap axis.