Manhole Cover Transceiver Mounting Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for locating underground cable faults in SCADA systems are slow and labor-intensive, posing challenges for utilities due to the difficulty of wireless communication between above-ground and underground equipment.

Innovation Solution

A data communication system with a transceiver mounted on the underside of a manhole cover, protected by a rugged mounting structure shaped like a truncated dome or cone, allowing secure communication with external networks and safeguarding equipment during manhole cover removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a transceiver is mounted on the underside of a manhole cover to enable wireless communication between above-ground and underground equipment, then communication capability is improved, but the transceiver becomes vulnerable to damage during manhole cover removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidtransceiver protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver is nested within a recessed cavity formed in the manhole cover itself, with a protective cover that fits over the cavity. This nesting arrangement protects the transceiver during manhole cover removal while maintaining wireless communication capability when the cover is installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The transceiver is positioned in a recessed cavity below the outer surface of the manhowe cover, utilizing the thickness dimension of the cover to protect the device. The protective cover extends slightly below the outer surface to provide additional protection during removal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If current methods are used to locate underground cable faults, then labor intensity is reduced, but fault location speed remains slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault location processVSAvoidfault location speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fault location methods with wireless communication technology. Transceivers mounted on manhowe covers and underground equipment enable wireless data transmission, allowing rapid fault identification and communication without manual intervention or slow physical testing methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11264710B2Mounting structure for data communication apparatus and system

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A mounting structure for protecting a transceiver located on an underside of a manhole cover is formed from a metal or rugged plastic in the shape of a truncated dome or cone with a sloping sidewall and a cavity configured to receive a transceiver, wherein the mounting structure is mountable to an underside of the manhole cover. A data communication system for an enclosure comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with a network outside of the enclosure and a mounting structure to mount the transceiver to an underside of the manhole cover. The mounting structure is configured to protect the transceiver from damage during removal of the manhole cover from the entrance port of the enclosure.