U.S. patent application number 14/102787 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-10 for platform for suspended sensor stabilization.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hadronex, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Hadronex, Inc.. Invention is credited to David A. Drake, Justin H. Hobbs, Daryl D. Norval, Gregory M. Quist.
Application Number | 20140097308 14/102787 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48134870 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140097308 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hobbs; Justin H. ; et
al. |
April 10, 2014 |
PLATFORM FOR SUSPENDED SENSOR STABILIZATION
Abstract
A sensor stabilization platform and method for installation in
an enclosure is described, wherein the platform can be lowered into
the enclosure from the enclosure's entry way (without requiring a
person to enter the enclosure) and properly oriented to provide the
structural support/securing capabilities needed for a sensor that
is "sensing" the material at the bottom of the enclosure. The
securing platform is weighted or configured to rest (without
movement) at the bottom of the enclosure floor or manhole, and
sensors can be lowered into the platform's receptacle(s), etc. The
platform may be configured to be foldable, allowing it to be
compact and pass through narrow entry ways.
Inventors: |
Hobbs; Justin H.;
(Escondido, CA) ; Norval; Daryl D.; (Carlsbad,
CA) ; Drake; David A.; (Escondido, CA) ;
Quist; Gregory M.; (Escondido, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hadronex, Inc. |
Escondido |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hadronex, Inc.
Escondido
CA
|
Family ID: |
48134870 |
Appl. No.: |
14/102787 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13277184 |
Oct 19, 2011 |
8607654 |
|
|
14102787 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/125.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01D 11/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/125.8 |
International
Class: |
G01D 11/30 20060101
G01D011/30 |
Claims
1. A sensor stabilization platform for placement at the bottom of a
vertical enclosure, comprising: a receptacle with a securing
mechanism to secure a sensor inserted into the receptacle, the
receptacle configured to allow the inserted sensor to operate
without interference from the receptacle; a plurality of
substantially vertical leg members, at least a top portion of one
of the plurality of leg members being coupled to the receptacle
supporting the receptacle, the plurality of leg members forming an
opening beneath the receptacle; at least one height adjuster
coupled to at least one of the plurality of leg members, allowing
leveling of the platform; and a ballast attached to the platform to
prevent movement of the platform when finally resting at the bottom
of the vertical enclosure, wherein the platform is constructed from
an environmentally resistant material.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling of the at least
one of the plurality of leg members to the receptacle is a pivot,
the pivot automatically and fully expanding the pivot-coupled
elements into a deployed state when released from a non-deployed
state, wherein the deployed state is larger in size than the
non-deployed state.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pivot is opened by a
spring or by gravity.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ballasting mechanism is
one of at least sand, concrete, or stone inserted into at least one
of the plurality of legs.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is secured
utilizing a magnetic force.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guide above the
receptacle, to assist in guiding a sensor to be secured by the
securing mechanism.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs is
constructed of PVC and is has a length that is between eight inches
and four feet.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a
power generator, an ultrasonic level sensor, float/tilt sensor,
radar level sensor, optical/IR level sensor, gas monitoring sensor,
chemical sensor, particulate sensor, water quality monitoring
sensor, radiation monitoring sensor, pressure sensor, and
electrical current/voltage sensor, inserted into the
receptacle.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a communications
cable connected to a top portion of the sensor and suspended above
the sensor up to a top portion of the enclosure.
10. A method of measuring a feature to be observed in an exposed
channel at the bottom of an enclosure, the method comprising:
lowering a sensor stabilization structure through an entry way of
an enclosure, wherein the sensor stabilization structure comprises:
a plurality of substantially vertical leg members; substantially
horizontal support members, at least one of the support members
coupled to a top portion of the leg members, wherein the support
members form an upper portion of the platform, the plurality of leg
members forming an opening beneath the upper portion of the
platform; a receptacle coupled to the upper portion of the
platform, having a securing mechanism to secure a sensor inserted
into the receptacle, the receptacle configured to allow the
inserted sensor to operate without interference from the
receptacle; at least one height adjuster coupled to at least one of
the plurality of leg members, allowing leveling of the upper
portion of the platform; and a weight attached to the platform;
resting the sensor stabilization structure at the bottom of the
enclosure; and adjusting the sensor stabilization structure to have
the receptacle to be above the exposed channel.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is a manhole.
12. The method of claim, 10, wherein the receptacle contains at
least one of a power generator, an ultrasonic level sensor,
float/tilt sensor, radar level sensor, optical/IR level sensor, gas
monitoring sensor, chemical sensor, particulate sensor, water
quality monitoring sensor, radiation monitoring sensor, pressure
sensor, and electrical current/voltage sensor.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising lowering a sensor
into the receptacle from the entry of the enclosure.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lowering of the sensor
stabilization structure is accomplished by a supporting cable.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is at least one of a
power generator, an ultrasonic level sensor, float/tilt sensor,
radar level sensor, optical/IR level sensor, gas monitoring sensor,
chemical sensor, particulate sensor, water quality monitoring
sensor, radiation monitoring sensor, pressure sensor, and
electrical current/voltage sensor.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising adjusting a height
of the height adjuster.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the supporting cable is a
communications cable connected to a top portion of the sensor and
suspended above the sensor up to a top portion of the enclosure.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit
of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/277,184, filed on Oct. 19, 2011, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to stabilization of sensors inside
enclosures.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Management and maintenance of sensor systems in closed
enclosures requires strict adherence to safety protocols to avoid
injury of the servicing technician when ingressing/egressing the
enclosure. Particularly, in sanitation and waste water systems
(i.e., sewer systems), the risks for injury have risen as more
enclosures such as manholes are becoming retrofitted with automated
systems for sewer "health" and "hazard" monitoring. These
retrofitting/maintenance calls often require the technician to not
only enter the enclosure (e.g., manhole) but also spend a
significant amount of time at the bottom of the manhole. Once entry
is required (whether for a sensored or unsensored manhole), a
significant amount of safety equipment is necessitated to prevent a
fall and/or injury of the technician, increasing the capital costs
for these service events. Additionally, increasing insurance and
compensation for resulting injuries have added to the escalation of
costs, not to mention the loss of skilled manpower.
[0004] What would be desired in this and other related industries,
is a method and/or system that obviates the need (or at least
minimizes it) for a technician to enter into the enclosure while
still accomplishing his service tasks. Such methods and systems are
described in the following disclosure.
SUMMARY
[0005] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed
subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is
not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the
scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some
concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0006] In various aspects of the disclosure, a sensor stabilization
platform for placement at the bottom of a vertical enclosure is
provided, comprising: a plurality of substantially vertical leg
members; substantially horizontal support members, at least one of
the support members coupled to a top portion of the leg members,
wherein the support members form an upper portion of the platform,
the plurality of leg members forming an opening beneath the upper
portion of the platform; a receptacle coupled to the upper portion
of the platform, having a securing mechanism to secure a sensor
inserted into the receptacle, the receptacle configured to allow
the inserted sensor to operate without interference from the
receptacle; at least one height adjuster coupled to at least one of
the plurality of leg members, allowing leveling of the upper
portion of the platform; and a ballast attached to the platform to
prevent movement of the platform when finally resting at the bottom
of the vertical enclosure, wherein the platform is constructed from
an environmentally resistant material.
[0007] In another aspect of the disclosure, a sensor stabilization
platform for placement at the bottom of a vertical enclosure is
provided, comprising: a receptacle with a securing mechanism to
secure a sensor inserted into the receptacle, the receptacle
configured to allow the inserted sensor to operate without
interference from the receptacle; a plurality of substantially
vertical leg members, at least a top portion of one of the
plurality of leg members being coupled to the receptacle supporting
the receptacle, the plurality of leg members forming an opening
beneath the receptacle; at least one height adjuster coupled to at
least one of the plurality of leg members, allowing leveling of the
platform; and a ballast attached to the platform to prevent
movement of the platform when finally resting at the bottom of the
vertical enclosure, wherein the platform is constructed from an
environmentally resistant material.
[0008] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of
measuring a feature to be observed in an exposed channel at the
bottom of an enclosure, the method comprising: lowering a sensor
stabilization structure through an entry way of an enclosure is
provided, wherein the sensor stabilization structure comprises: a
plurality of substantially vertical leg members; substantially
horizontal support members, at least one of the support members
coupled to a top portion of the leg members, wherein the support
members form an upper portion of the platform, the plurality of leg
members forming an opening beneath the upper portion of the
platform; a receptacle coupled to the upper portion of the
platform, having a securing mechanism to secure a sensor inserted
into the receptacle, the receptacle configured to allow the
inserted sensor to operate without interference from the
receptacle; at least one height adjuster coupled to at least one of
the plurality of leg members, allowing leveling of the upper
portion of the platform; and a weight attached to the platform;
resting the sensor stabilization structure at the bottom of the
enclosure; and adjusting the sensor stabilization structure to have
the receptacle to be above the exposed channel.
[0009] These and various other aspects of features of the invention
are provided in the Detailed Description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 a cross-sectional illustration of a closed enclosure
(typical manhole).
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of a related art
manhole with sensors.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration an exemplary
platform in a deployed configuration.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary platform in a
folded or compact configuration in a manhole.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a sensor being lowered into a
deployed exemplary platform.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a technician lowering a
"combination" exemplary platform.
[0016] FIGS. 7A-B are perspective illustrations of two exemplary
platforms.
[0017] FIGS. 8A-B are perspective illustrations of other exemplary
platforms.
[0018] FIGS. 9A-B are illustrations of a compact/closed appearance
of various exemplary platforms.
[0019] FIGS. 10A-C are illustrations of various possible sensor
receptacle configurations, and FIG. 10D is an illustration of a
simple magnetic North-to-South pole magnet latching scheme.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Using a manhole enclosure as one of many possible enclosure
paradigms, various exemplary methods and systems are described
herein, wherein sensor(s) that are situated inside the enclosure
(which may be wirelessly communicated with, or tethered or
suspended from the enclosure cover or a top wall of the enclosure,
as possible non-limiting examples) are secured inside the
enclosure. In various exemplary embodiments, the securing mechanism
is a supporting platform that can be lowered into the enclosure and
properly oriented to provide the structural support/securing
capabilities needed for the sensors. The sensors may be placed
within the securing platform either before or after deployment of
the securing platform. In various embodiments, the securing
platform can be situated to rest at the bottom of the enclosure
floor. In various other embodiments, the securing platform can be
situated to rest against a wall of the enclosure.
[0021] Depending on the size of the enclosure's entry way, the
exemplary embodiments may "collapse" into a smaller shape, allowing
the exemplary embodiments to pass thorough the entry way, and
thereafter "expand" into its final size/shape when in the larger
area of the enclosure. That is, various exemplary embodiments can
be designed to self-assemble into a larger/final shape once they
are through the entry way.
[0022] With the use of these exemplary securing platforms, physical
entry of the enclosure is not required and also a self-supporting
mechanism for housing sensors can be placed into the enclosure
without the requirement to "attach" the sensors to a side wall of
the enclosure, or other part of the enclosure.
[0023] It is expressly understood that while the various
embodiments shown below are illustrated and described in the
context of a manhole enclosure, the principles described herein may
be applied to other types of enclosures that suffer similar types
of problems. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments may be utilized
in enclosures that are not manholes and, where necessary, the
exemplary embodiments may be appropriately modified within the
capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the art, without departing
from the spirit of this disclosure. Of particular interest for
applicability would be gas and oil enclosures, where physical entry
can be life-threatening.
[0024] FIG. 1 a cross-sectional illustration of a closed enclosure,
represented in this FIG. as a typical manhole 100 with side walls
110, manhole cover 120, lines 140 and bottom section 155. Not
evident from this perspective, bottom section 155 is usually
comprised of an "invert" which is an open (often V-shaped or
U-shaped) channel at the bottom of the manhole, allowing physical
inspection of the fluid traveling through lines 140. Typically, in
sewer systems, the invert's width ranges around 4 inches to 12
inches. However, in some systems, it is possible for the invert to
be several feet wide (even six feet or more, depending on the
design of the sewer). The "exposed" fluid in the invert allows for
measurements to be made, inspection to be performed and other
data-gathering activities, with respect to the fluid and also the
flow rate (or volume) of the fluid. Inverts and the configuration
of manholes (whose depth may range from eighteen inches to
forty-five feet) are understood to be self-explanatory to one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration 200 of another
manhole showing steps 230, pipes 240 and two deployed sensors 260a,
260b, in accordance with the related art. The sensors 260a, 260b
are tethered via lines 270a, 270b to attachment/control boxes 250a,
250b, respectively, and are used to examine the fluid 280 traveling
through pipes 240, as exposed in the bottom section 255 (i.e.,
invert). The position of box 250b is distinguished from box 250a in
that it is attached to the underside of manhole 220, while box 250a
is attached to a portion of side wall 210. It is noted that sensor
260a is suspended solely using tension in line 270a above bottom
section 255; and as a consequence of air currents or other
disturbances in the manhole, is subject to swaying or displacement
from its optimal position, as indicated by the accompanying
arrow.
[0026] In contrast, sensor 260b is secured from movement via a
securing bracket 265 that is attached to the manhole wall,
maintaining its preferred orientation and position, as indicated by
the accompanying arrow. While the arrangement of sensor 260b is
considered an improvement over the arrangement of sensor 260a, this
requires a technician to physically enter the manhole and attach
the securing bracket 265 to the manhole wall. Typically, such
attachment schemes require drilling into the walls and bolting the
securing bracket 265, all of which entail significant machinery,
and are time-consuming tasks, as well introducing the possibility
of the ignition of flammable gases that may be present in the
manhole. As discussed above, the related art approach exposes the
technician to in-enclosure hazards. Not to mention, several
brackets 265 (and concomitant drilling) may be necessary for a
multiply-sensored manhole, which "damages" the side walls 210 of
the manhole. Therefore, whether the manhole is thirty feet deep or
only eighteen inches deep, a significant amount of effort is
required.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration 300 of an exemplary
system for avoiding some of the deficiencies noted in the
description of FIG. 2. Specifically, a sensor supporting platform
390 is lowered to bottom section 255, which provides a mechanism
for sensors 360a, 360b to be affixed to or secured to. Depending on
the mode of communication utilized, sensors 360a, 360b may
communicate wirelessly 272 with attachment/control boxes 250a,
250b. The exemplary platform 390 can be ballasted in a manner to
avoid movement from air and/or water currents and can be designed
to "sit over" the bottom section 255 (e.g., invert) without
interfering with fluid 280 moving between pipes 240, under normal
conditions.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration view of exemplary
platform 390, that is, in a deployed state. Sensors 360a, 360b can,
either prior to deployment or after deployment, be attached,
mounted, or secured to exemplary platform 390 via securing mounts
370a, 370b which can be part of the exemplary platform 390. If the
exemplary platform 390, in a deployed state, is configured to be
smaller than the width of the bottom of the manhole, then one side
393 of exemplary platform 390 can be situated against a side 240a
of the manhole/pipe, thus being prevented from movement,
particularly in the lateral direction of the flow of liquid 280
from pipes 240. A non-contacting side 395 of the exemplary platform
390 may be positioned toward but displaced from side 240b of the
manhole, shown in this example to be near steps 230. Accordingly,
some room at the bottom section 255 can be provided for a
technician, if necessary.
[0029] It is noted that while the exemplary platform 390 is
illustrated in FIG. 3 as being positioned parallel with pipes 240,
it may be positioned at an angle or perpendicular to pipes 240,
being configured for such an arrangement. In some instances, the
exemplary platform 390 may "fill up" against the sides of the
manhole--touching or bordering sides 240a, 240b of the manhole, or
may be designed in such a manner that the center of the exemplary
platform 390 is open. Therefore, in various embodiments, the
exemplary platform 390 can be situated toward or away from either
sides (240a, 240b), depending on the configuration chosen. As is
apparent, various modifications may be contemplated to the design
shown by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0030] As mentioned above, some form of ballast or weighting:
non-limiting examples being, sand, concrete, stone, metal, and so
forth, may be utilized in or attached to the exemplary platform 390
to cause the exemplary platform 390 to be difficult to slide or
displaced when situated on the bottom section 255. To avoid
displacement in a sewer implementation, weights of 5 lbs or more
may be utilized in exemplary platform 390.
[0031] When designed for sewer installations, the exemplary
platform 390 should be manufactured of an environmentally resistant
material, to be able to survive long exposures to humidity, water,
gases, and other hardships in the sewer. Long exposures are
understood to be least two to three years minimum. Polyvinyl
chloride (or commonly known as PVC) is an excellent material, being
inexpensive, strong, and tolerant of water, and was used in
fabricating several experimental models. While PVC may be utilized,
it is, of course, understood that other materials that exhibit
environmental robustness may be used, such as, for example,
aluminum, rubber, plastic, carbon fiber, and so forth.
[0032] In some instances, the exemplary platform 390 may be
comprised of hollow pipes, such as PVC or other environmentally
resistant materials, wherein certain of the hollow spaces may be
filled with the ballasting material. In other embodiments, the
exemplary platform 390 may be secured from lateral or side movement
(and/or vertical movement) by "wedging" an exposed section of the
exemplary platform 390 against a side of the pipe 240 (pipe lip,
for example), or against steps 230. In these instances, the exposed
section of the exemplary platform 390 may be purposely designed to
facilitate the wedging function (for example, a hooking tongue or
clip, and so forth). In some instances, the invert (not shown) may
have a lip or other feature that assists in allowing the exemplary
platform 390 to be "wedged" or "pinned" to the invert's feature. In
other embodiments, the exemplary platform 390 may be "pinned"
against a wall 240a by a separately lowered external ballast 398
that is positioned against a side 395 of the exemplary platform
390. Of course, the external ballast 398 may be positioned against
any portion of the exemplary platform 390, according to design
preference.
[0033] As is apparent from the above description, the ballasting
scheme can be achieved by any one or more different ways, including
but not limited to the ways described above. Accordingly, it is
expressly understood that given the objective to secure the
exemplary platform 390 from movement (or to keep it stabilized),
various modifications and changes may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary platform 490
configured to be "self-assembling" in its compact form, that is
being lowered thorough an open manhole opening 420 to the bottom
section 255 of manhole, using a supporting cable 430 by technician
410 (or proxy thereto--may be lowered by a machine or mechanical
means, for example). As mentioned above, in some circumstances, the
manhole opening 420 may be too small to allow a "fixed frame"
exemplary platform to be passed through the manhole opening 420. In
these cases, a foldable or configurable exemplary platform 490 is
utilized which has a smaller "folded" size than a deployed or
unfolded size. Details of this exemplary embodiment 490 will be
provided below.
[0035] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a technician 410 (or proxy
thereto) lowering a sensor 360 into sensor receptacles 470a or 470b
which are attached to a deployed exemplary platform 490. Sensor 360
is shown attached to communications cable 530 with a removably
coupled temporary ballast 540. Temporary ballast 540 can be used to
"weigh down" the sensor 360 to help in its descent, and may be
removed via attached secondary cable 535. In some instances, the
temporary ballast 540 may be donut-like shaped, sliding over cable
530 and then lifted up after sensor 360 is secured to the exemplary
platform 490. In other instances, temporary ballast 540 may be
"clipped" or "taped" to cable 530 (or to sensor 360 or the sensor's
housing) and removed in an appropriate manner. Of course, numerous
other methods and schemes for weighing down sensor 360 may be
utilized according to design preference. Therefore, modifications
and changes to how sensor 360 is temporarily ballasted may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For
example, a magnetic form of "latching" and "unlatching" may be
utilized, or a liquid filled container that is designed to leak
ballast (e.g., water), thus dispelling its ballast after
deployment.
[0036] FIG. 5 also shows an optional device 595 that is attached to
the exemplary platform 490, protruding from the top of the
exemplary platform 490. The device 595 can be a power generation
device, providing power for the sensors and potentially the
supporting electronics and communications--not shown--that the
sensors "may" be tethered to (noting that wireless communication
may be one available mode of communication for the sensors). The
power generation device 595 could be suspended from the exemplary
platform 490 or embedded into the exemplary platform 490. For
example, depending on the mode of power generation utilized, the
power generation device 595 could be situated at the "feet" of the
exemplary platform 490, or above the exemplary platform 490.
Wind/water currents could be harvested for energy, temperature
variances, fluid flow, and other possible mechanical or thermonic
or other energy generation schemes could be utilized, now being
supported (and potentially protected) by exemplary platform
490.
[0037] It should be apparent that while the power generation device
595 can be separately situated in the exemplary platform 490, it
may be possible (depending on design) to have the power generation
device 595 fit within a sensor receptacle 470a, 470b. Therefore,
the power generation device 595 could be lowered down separately
from the exemplary platform 490 and "plugged" into the exemplary
platform 490 in a similar manner (if so designed) as to that of
sensor(s) 360.
[0038] In continuance of the possibilities afforded by the use of
an exemplary platform 490, sensors, power generation devices, and
so forth, could have their cabling "strapped" to the exemplary
platform 490, to avoid the cabling from falling down into the
invert. Therefore, the exemplary platform 490 can operate also to
provide a framework for securing cabling.
[0039] Evident in FIGS. 4 and 5 is the fact that technician 410
does need to enter into the manhole to accomplish his servicing
goal. Accordingly, many if not all of the injury concerns with
related art approaches to sensor placement into the bottom of
manholes (or enclosures) can be avoided. Since there is now no need
to drill holes into the side of the manhole for a securing bracket,
a significant amount of time (and cost) can be saved in a service
call, since the lowering of the exemplary platform 490 and
subsequent lowering of the respective sensors 360 can be rapidly
performed.
[0040] Additionally, if the exemplary platforms 490 are
manufactured with an inexpensive material (for example, PVC pipes)
and filled with an inexpensive ballast (for example, sand), the
cost savings in materials, shipping, and time and as well as the
reduced potential for injuries can be very significant, especially
in the sewer industry. Of course, the exemplary methods and
apparatuses can be applied to other industries that require
physical entry into a dangerous enclosure. Non-limiting examples of
such industries being the electrical, oil and gas industries.
[0041] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a technician 410 lowering a
"combination" exemplary platform 490, in a compact configuration,
for example, that has within it sensor 360 (and/or power generation
device, or a non-sensor device, for that matter) already affixed.
Sensor 360 is coupled to communication cable 530, while exemplary
platform 490 is coupled to removable cable 430. In this scenario,
the operations described in FIGS. 4-5 can be combined into a single
descent operation, thus reducing the amount of time needed for
sensor deployment. Accordingly, the approach of FIG. 6 may be
operationally more efficient than the approach of FIGS. 4-5.
[0042] As may be apparent, the exemplary platform 490 may only need
to be in a compact or folded form when first dropped through the
restricted manhole opening 420, the reduced size being desirable
only for easy passage through the manhole opening 420. Therefore,
while FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the exemplary platform 490 as being in a
compact or folded form while being inside the manhole, it is
understood that the exemplary platform 490 may be in a fully
deployed or unfolded mode after entry but during its descent inside
the manhole. Of course, as noted in FIG. 3, the exemplary platform
490 may be of a configuration that is "fixed" with respect to its
shape and may be lowered into the manhole (size permitting) in its
fixed shape.
[0043] Depending on the type of implementation and design utilized,
the exemplary platform 490 may require an "unfolding" mechanism
that is controllably triggered by the technician 410. A latch,
reorienting the exemplary platform 490 (allowing gravity, for
example, to unfold), twisting, a plurality of cables, and various
other forms of control/triggering for unfoldment or expansion may
be utilized according to design preference. In some instances, the
exemplary platform 490 can be designed to be mechanically opened or
opened after coming to rest at the bottom of the manhole.
[0044] In one experimental model, the exemplary platform 490
(having a folding configuration) was designed to be unfolded by
gravity, being unfolded when oriented in a particular direction.
The exemplary platform 490 was held in its folded form by simply
clasping hand(s) around one end of the platform 490 and releasing
it as it passed through the manhole opening 420, resulting in the
exemplary platform 490 naturally unfolding itself while in the
manhole. A simple forcing mechanism could be used to assist in the
opening, non-limiting examples being a spring or rubber line that
forces the exemplary platform 490 to open when released. As noted
above, numerous folding/unlatching/etc. approaches are available to
one of ordinary skill in the art, the above example only
illustrating one of many possible approaches.
[0045] FIGS. 7A-B are perspective illustrations of exemplary
platforms. In FIG. 7A, the exemplary platform 700 comprises
supporting legs 710 that are coupled to longitudinal members 720
that elevate sensor receptacles 370 from the bottom of the
exemplary platform. Sensor receptacles 370 are attached to cross
members 730 which are attached via connection 740 to longitudinal
members 720. The sensor receptacles 370 are situated to provide
clear access to whatever effluent or fluid is traveling in the
enclosure, being elevated to avoid contact, if possible. Generally,
more than several inches of separation is desired when attempting
to protect a sensor from contact. For example, a typical sewer-type
ultra-sonic sensor should be placed at least one foot to one and a
half foot away from the measured liquid. Therefore, in this
instance, the bottom of sensor receptacles 370 should be elevated
this distance from the manhole floor (or invert). Accordingly,
supporting legs 710, for this sensor, should have a height that is
commensurate to achieve this separation. It is understood, however,
that in some instances, the sensor may require actual contact,
therefore the supporting legs 710 and sensor receptacles' 370
heights can be adjusted, as needed.
[0046] Continuing with FIG. 7A, in one embodiment, the connection
740 can be fixed to the longitudinal members 720--thus, generating
a non-folding or non-expanding platform structure. In an embodiment
designed to be flexible/foldable, the connection 740 can be formed
(from a hollow PVC sleeve, for example) which is allowed to freely
rotate about the longitudinal member 720 (to within a fixed
orientation so as to provide support), rather than be fixed to
longitudinal member 720. In this foldable embodiment, the exterior
of the hollow sleeve is attached to cross members 730.
[0047] The open areas under the exemplary platform 700 enable it to
"fit" over an invert (not shown), as illustrated by the dashed
arrows, without interfering with fluid flowing through the
invert.
[0048] While FIG. 7A illustrates attachments 740, for a foldable
embodiment, that appear as hollow rotatable sleeves, it is
expressly understood that other forms of flexible or mechanisms for
"expanding" may be utilized as within the purview of one of
ordinary skill in the art, such as various pivoting mechanisms or
expandable arms or sliding extensions, and so forth may be used, as
according to design preference. Therefore, modifications to the
type and form of flexibility may be made to the attachment
mechanism 740 without departing from the spirit and scope of this
disclosure.
[0049] It is noted that FIG. 7A shows the sensor receptacles 370
attached to cross members 730. In some embodiments, the sensor
receptacles 370 may be attached to longitudinal members 720 or even
to the legs 710 (or to manhole ledge or other feature--not shown).
To allow some form of "leveling," the exemplary embodiment 700
shown in FIG. 7A includes optional leveling feet 715 disposed at
the bottom of legs 710, which can be adjusted in height to provide
a levelness to the exemplary platform 700 over an uneven surface.
Of course, the leveling feet 715 may be situated not at the "feet"
but higher up on supporting legs 710, as according to design
preference. The purpose of providing the optional ability to
"level" the exemplary platform 490 is to provide a fixed and secure
position for a sensor (not shown) so that the sensor can be best
positioned for its operation.
[0050] For example, if using a ultra-sonic ranging sensor, the
sensor should be pointed directly downward, substantially
perpendicular to the manhole floor or invert containing the fluid
to be measured. With a fixed distance and fixed orientation, the
sensor can be assured to perform accurately.
[0051] FIG. 7B is an illustration of another exemplary platform 750
with legs 760 canted outward and having lower longitudinal members
765 at the bottom of legs 760; upper longitudinal members 770 at a
top of legs 760, wherein the upper longitudinal members 770 provide
support for cross members 780. The cross members 780, in addition
to providing lateral stability, provide an easy attachment
mechanism for sensor receptacles 370. Presuming a foldable
configuration, pivoting or rotating points 790 are shown at
junctions formed between upper longitudinal member 770 and upper
portion of legs 760, and leveling feet 775 are shown as being
positioned on lower longitudinal members 765. It is noted that for
a non-folding embodiment, the pivoting or rotating points 790 may
be replaced with a fixed attachment scheme.
[0052] FIGS. 8A-B are perspective illustrations of other exemplary
embodiments. FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary embodiment 800
without sensor receptacles built into the platform. Legs 810 with
leveling "feet" 815 on one side and leveling "non-feet" on the
other side are coupled via swinging (or pivoting, sliding, and so
forth) elements 840 to longitudinal member 820. Cross members 830
are connected to form open rectangular "trays" that a sensor
receptacle can be attached to--in this instance, a module of
sensors or tray of sensors/receptacles (see FIG. 10C, for example)
can be placed into any one of the three open areas formed at the
top of the exemplary platform. This particular embodiment allows
for flexibility of the final configuration of the exemplary
platform.
[0053] FIG. 8B illustrates a tripod-like platform 850 with a sensor
receptacle 360 at the apex. Legs 880 may have (optionally) leveling
features 875 which may allow portions of the legs 880 to rise up or
down (or bend outward/inward) and are opened up by movable arms 890
which can be manually opened up. However, movable arms 890 may be
replaced with springs that can operate to automatically open the
legs 880 when released. While FIGS. 8A-B describe the exemplary
embodiments 800, 850, respectively, as having the capability to
"expand" or fold out, etc., it is understood that an embodiment can
be designed that does not expand or fold out, if the enclosure it
is being used for has a sufficiently wide enough entry.
[0054] Given the above description, it should be appreciated that
the exemplary platforms may be customizable. It may be several
inches in height or may be several feet or more in height. It may
be an all-inclusive platform, having specifically designed
receptacles for a given sensor--being configured for a specific
"mission" or type of enclosure, or may be of a modular
configuration, allowing various receptacles "trays" to be mixed and
matched within the platform, allowing a given platform to provide
supporting/structural services to any number of different types of
sensors, etc. Since, in some embodiments, the exemplary platform
can expand, it can be designed to have origami-like structures that
can fold or expand outward when lowered into the enclosure, with
some modes of expansion being necessary or unnecessary. For
example, a given platform may "telescope" to a variety of sizes;
and for a given manhole, it may not be necessary to fully extend
the platform for it to serve its purpose.
[0055] FIGS. 9A-B are illustrations of a compact/closed appearance
of various exemplary platforms that are designed to "fold out" or
expand. FIG. 9A is equivalent to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B,
wherein the tripod-like nature of the exemplary platform 850 allows
it to be closed into a smaller form, for easy passage through a
restricted entry way. FIG. 9B is a variation of the embodiment 700
shown in FIG. 7A, but in a closed position, with pivoting
mechanisms 940 disposed at various locations on the exemplary
platform. Dashed arrows are provided to show the direction of
motion to allow this particular embodiment to be "opened" into its
deployed mode. As mentioned earlier, various ways to "close" or
fold-in are possible, depending primarily on the imagination of the
designer. The examples shown in FIGS. 9A-B are provided only to
show a few of many possible ways to create a smaller, compact
platform. Therefore, other ways to fold, close, reduce the size of
an exemplary platform may be contemplated without departing from
the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0056] FIGS. 10A-C are illustrations of various possible sensor
receptacle configurations. FIG. 10A shows a receptacle 1010 with
radial arms 1020 extending conically outward to help guide into
place a sensor (not shown) that may be lowered into the receptacle
1010. FIG. 10B is another example, however, one side of the
receptacle 1010 is fitted with a "half" cone so that a sensor may
be "dropped" thereinto and slid into the receptacle 1010. It is
noted that while the above FIGS. illustrate the sensor receptacles
to have a cylinder-like shape with a cavity for receiving a sensor
and an outward body, any shape or arrangement may be utilized. For
example, rectangular, half geometries, slots, and so forth may be
utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of this
disclosure.
[0057] Also, while it is understood that the receptacles can offer
a "housing" for sensors to secure the sensor from movement when
inserted into the receptacle, the securing mechanism may simply be
a magnet or may be a locking mechanism or other form of
"attachment" that enables the sensor to be secured from movement
when inserted into the receptacle. Therefore, the "housing" may not
need to encompass the respective sensor, but only operate to
"attach" itself to the sensor to prevent the sensor from moving,
once attached. Accordingly, non-sleeve-like receptacles may be
used, having for example, a fin that mates with the sensor or other
type of mating system. Understanding that the typical sensor will
be downward facing, the receptacle can have a transparent bottom
section, enabling the sensor's detector to downwardly directly
without being obstructed. In some embodiments, the receptacle can
simply be a hollow cylinder with a supporting ring inside the
receptacle's cavity to prevent an inserted sensor from slipping
entirely through the receptacle.
[0058] Some examples of possible sensors that would be well suited
for a use in an underground environment are: ultrasonic level,
float/tilt switches, radar level, optical/IR level, gas monitoring
(e.g. H.sub.2S, methane, hydrocarbons, chlorine, ozone, CO.sub.2,
tritium, etc.), particulate, chemical, water quality monitoring
(e.g. turbidity, pH, BOD, particle count, etc.), radiation
monitoring, pressure, electrical current or voltage, etc. It should
be apparent that while this list is very long, it is not exhaustive
and only is provided to demonstrate the endless variety of possible
sensors that can be utilized with the receptacles of the exemplary
sensor platform(s) described herein, the field of use being more
than simply within the sewer industry.
[0059] In regard to the size of the receptacle, it may vary
depending on the type and size of sensor being placed "into" it,
for example. For the sewer industry, a typical sensor may be a
cylindrical ultrasonic sensor having a width that is less than 3
inches and a height that is less than 4 inches. Of course,
depending on the sensor's dimensions, the sizes may vary, for
example, some sensors are known to be nearly one foot long.
Therefore, while the receptacles shown herein are generally
cylindrical in shape, any shape and any size may be utilized
without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0060] FIG. 10C is an illustration of a "tray" of receptacles 1070
attached to supports 1050 that are connected together. Some form of
securing the tray to a cavity, formed in the exemplary platform
(see FIG. 8A, for example), can be accommodated for by prongs
(hooks, inserts, etc.) 1080 that extend to fit over members in an
exemplary platform (see FIG. 8A's members 820 and 830, for
example). FIG. 10C's example is a very simple example, showing one
of many, many possible ways to modularize an installation procedure
for an exemplary platform. For example, a tray may be triangular,
or stacked, or any various thereof. Thus, one of ordinary skill in
the art, having understood the intent of FIG. 10C's purpose, may
devise other modular/fraying schemes without departing from the
spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0061] For example, FIG. 10D illustrates a simple magnetic
North-to-South pole magnet 1090. Such a system may be used to
"latch" the tray of FIG. 10C to an exemplary platform, the platform
having one type of magnet and the tray having the opposite type of
magnet (or metal). Further, it may be desirable to use the magnetic
latching/coupling capability to secure sensors to receptacles. That
is, a sensor may be "latched" into a receptacle having an opposite
magnet (or metal). Thus, the capability of a magnet to latch-to and
release-from can be used in various forms in the exemplary
embodiments.
[0062] Based on the examples described above, it should be evident
that the exemplary embodiments obviate many of the difficulties of
the prior art in that they enable a device or sensor to be
efficiently "secured" within an enclosure without requiring human
entry into the enclosure, via the use of a sensor platform that is
lowered therein. The ability to use an exemplary platform is
independent of whether the enclosure is large enough for human
entry and therefore may be used for enclosures that are not related
to the sewer industry. It is noted that the exemplary embodiments
not only provide a platform for securing sensors, but the platform
is designed to remain fixed when finally deployed, either through
friction (i.e., gravity) or through some means of "wedging."
[0063] Due to the ability of some of the exemplary platforms to be
"foldable," they can be stored in a "folded" shape, allowing for
compact storage; and they can be shipped in a "folded" state,
allowing for easy, more cost-effective shipping. In some
embodiments, the exemplary platform may come in several pieces,
only requiring easy assembly. As alluded above, several exemplary
platforms (similar to FIGS. 7A-B) have been fabricated using PVC
pipes which are inexpensive and environmentally resistant. It is
believed that such exemplary embodiments and variations thereof
will significantly reduce sensor deployment-related costs,
injuries, and service times.
[0064] It will be understood that many additional changes in the
details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been
herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the
invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the
principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended
claims.
* * * * *