Underground Valve Access Monitoring via Sensor Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underground valves lack secure monitoring mechanisms, allowing unauthorized access and potential disruptions to gas supply, as valve boxes are typically unsecured for rapid access by utility personnel.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system comprising a housing with a recess and a sensor that detects movement, generating signals to track access to underground valves, including a first housing with a recess to fit over the actuator and a second housing with a hollow interior and handle feature, coupled to the first housing, and a sensor within the hollow interior to transmit signals upon movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If valve boxes are left unsecured for rapid access by utility personnel, then ease of operation is improved, but security and monitoring capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device is divided into separate components: a first housing that fits over the actuator, a second housing with hollow interior, and a sensor. This segmentation allows the device to be installed without securing the entire valve box, maintaining rapid access while adding monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device acts as an intermediary between the valve actuator and the external environment. It detects movement of the actuator and transmits signals without requiring the valve box to be secured, thus mediating between security needs and rapid access requirements.
2Reliability
If a monitoring device is added to track valve access, then security and monitoring capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device is designed to fit over standard valve actuators with square nuts, making it universally applicable to different valve types. The two-housing design with a sensor provides both structural support and monitoring functionality, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing fits over the actuator, and the second housing with hollow interior contains the sensor. This nested structure allows compact integration of multiple functions within a small space, minimizing the added complexity to the existing valve system.
3Measurement precision
If a sensor is installed inside a hollow interior to detect movement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow interior of the second housing creates a protected space that isolates the sensor from external elements. This dimensional structure allows the sensor to detect actuator movement precisely while being shielded from environmental factors, improving measurement reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for monitoring an underground valve is provided. The system includes a valve having an actuator operable to open and close the valve. The system includes a first housing having a recess, the recess being sized to fit at least partially over the actuator. A second housing is removably coupled to the first housing, the second housing having a hollow interior disposed to have an open end enclosed by the first housing, the second housing further having a handle feature opposite the open end. A sensor is disposed in the hollow interior, the sensor generating a first signal in operation in response to a movement of the second housing.