Wireless Infrastructure Monitoring for Real-Time Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring and controlling municipal infrastructure, such as water, gas, and electricity distribution, are labor-intensive, infrequently evaluated, and lack interoperability, leading to delayed detection of issues like leaks which can result in significant losses and structural damage, and are not capable of forming a unified network for real-time monitoring and control across multiple systems.
Innovation Solution
A wireless infrastructure monitoring system that includes bi-directional communication between operations centers and monitoring/control devices, with sensors capable of detecting various conditions, and actuators for real-time control, allowing for continuous monitoring and alerting of potential faults across multiple infrastructure types, including water, gas, and electricity systems, and enabling communication between different entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection methods are used to monitor infrastructure, then personnel can directly assess system conditions, but the process becomes slow, labor-intensive, and prone to overlooked problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated electronic monitoring devices that continuously collect and transmit data about infrastructure conditions. Sensors detect parameters such as water flow, gas pressure, and structural integrity, eliminating the need for personnel to physically inspect each component while providing more reliable and timely detection of issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system enables infrastructure components to self-report their status through embedded sensors and communication devices. Each monitoring device autonomously detects conditions, processes data, and transmits information to central and remote operations centers without requiring human intervention, allowing the system to monitor itself continuously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If infrastructure systems are monitored independently, then each system can be managed separately, but interoperability is lacking and coordinated responses to incidents cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication protocol and standardized data format that enables different infrastructure systems (water, gas, electricity) to interoperate through a common network architecture. The monitoring devices and operations centers are designed to handle multiple types of infrastructure data, allowing a single network to support diverse systems and enabling coordinated incident response across utility companies and municipal departments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized communication interface and data exchange protocol as an intermediary layer between different infrastructure systems. This mediator enables seamless information flow between water, gas, and electricity systems without requiring complex point-to-point connections, simplifying the network architecture while achieving full interoperability.
3Reliability
If monitoring devices are deployed throughout the infrastructure network, then continuous monitoring coverage is achieved, but property rights issues arise regarding placement of communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated monitoring devices that can be attached to existing infrastructure components such as utility poles, fire hydrants, and meter boxes. By merging communication devices with familiar municipal infrastructure elements, the system leverages existing property rights and installation pathways, eliminating the need for new permits or property agreements while achieving comprehensive monitoring coverage.
Data Source
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AI summary
An infrastructure monitoring system and method that comprises: an operations center and a plurality of communications devices coupled to the operations center; wherein at least one of said communications devices is coupled to an element of the infrastructure.