U.S. patent application number 15/016842 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-10 for environmental monitoring pipeline closure and wireless positioning and warning system thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jui-Chi FU, Nien-Chi HUNG. Invention is credited to Jui-Chi FU, Nien-Chi HUNG.
Application Number | 20170228998 15/016842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59410846 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170228998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FU; Jui-Chi ; et
al. |
August 10, 2017 |
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PIPELINE CLOSURE AND WIRELESS POSITIONING
AND WARNING SYSTEM THEREOF
Abstract
An environmental monitoring pipeline closure and a wireless
positioning and warning system thereof are disclosed. The
environmental monitoring pipeline closure is composed of an upper
platen, an expansion body, a lower platen, a plurality of bolts,
and a plurality of compression rings, on which a plurality of
clamping holes are provided for holding and fixing a cable line. A
gas sensing device is provided inside the pipeline closure to
detect gas concentrations within the space inside a manhole channel
when being installed in the underground manhole channel. The
measured data is transferred to a monitoring device through
wireless transmissions to keep monitoring gas concentrations within
the manhole channel. This prevents injuries and deaths of people
working inside the manhole channel due to a lack of oxygen or
inhalation of harmful gases.
Inventors: |
FU; Jui-Chi; (Taipei City,
TW) ; HUNG; Nien-Chi; (Taichung City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FU; Jui-Chi
HUNG; Nien-Chi |
Taipei City
Taichung City |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
59410846 |
Appl. No.: |
15/016842 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 25/10 20130101;
G08B 21/14 20130101; F16L 5/08 20130101; G08B 21/12 20130101; F16L
7/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/12 20060101
G08B021/12; G08B 25/10 20060101 G08B025/10 |
Claims
1. A wireless positioning and warning system of an environmental
monitoring pipeline closure, wherein the pipeline closure is
composed of an upper platen, an expansion body, and a lower platen,
a plurality of clamping holes are provided in the pipeline closure
for passing and fixing of a plurality of cable lines, and, a gas
sensing device is provided in the main body by which gas data is
detected and transmitted from a wireless communication module to a
remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the gas content in
a manhole channel at any time to ensure the safety of people who
work within the manhole channel, and wherein the gas sensing device
detects gas using a gas detector, the detected gas data is
converted to an analog signal, amplified by a signal amplifier,
undergone analog/digital data conversion through a microcontroller,
and then the digitalized data is transmitted through a first
wireless communication module, through Zigbee agreements and/or a
wireless sensor network (WSN), to a monitoring device, and then
analyzed and compared by a gas data processing APP within the
monitoring device, and the compared results are displayed or a
warning sound is issued.
2. (canceled)
3. The wireless positioning and warning system of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
monitoring device is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smart
phone, or a notebook computer.
4. The wireless positioning and warning system of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
control center is also provided to transfer data through TCP
(Transmission control protocol)/IP (Internet protocol) with the
monitoring device.
5. The wireless positioning and warning system of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a radio
frequency identification (RFID) system is provided on the pipeline
closure for quickly identifying the location.
6. A wireless positioning and warning system of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure, wherein the pipeline closure is
composed of an upper platen, an expansion body, and a lower platen,
a plurality of clamping holes are provided in the pipeline closure
for passing and fixing of a plurality of cable lines, and, a gas
sensing device is provided in the main body by which gas data is
detected and transmitted from a wireless communication module to a
remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the gas content in
a manhole channel at any time to ensure the safety of people who
work within the manhole channel, and p1 wherein the pipeline
closure is a direct reading pipeline closure whose surface color is
changed when exposed to a certain amount of the gas concentration
due to the selection and use of inductive materials or sensing
pigments so as to provide timely protection for on-site
workers.
7. The wireless positioning and warning system of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
direct reading pipeline closure also has a high temperature color
display function, whereby contact between internal media of the
pipeline closure and harmful gases causes a color reaction to be
produced on the pipeline closure due to attachment of chemical
substances on the internal media.
8. The wireless positioning and warning system of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the
pipeline closure is further composed of a plurality of bolts and a
plurality of compression rings, the upper platen is provided with a
plurality of through holes with notches and punch holes, as well as
an assembly hole to assemble a gas sensing device; the expansion
body is provided below the upper platen, in which a plurality of
circular through holes and sleeve holes are provided; the circular
through holes are connected with the through holes with notches of
the upper platen; the compression rings are C-shaped ring body with
notches, on which a wedge is provided in the upper end for
increasing a tensile clamping force against the cable line, the
lower end being used for being sleeved into the circular through
hole of the expansion body, its outer wall being provided with a
stepped portion by which the through holes with notches on the
upper platen are sleeved and fixed into the stepped portion of the
compression rings simultaneously when the upper platen is assembled
with the expansion body; the surface of the lower platen relative
to the circular through hole of the expansion body is provided with
a plurality of through holes with notches; the upper end relative
to the sleeve holes of the expansion body is provided with bumps by
which the upper end is inserted into the sleeve hole and assembled
with the expansion body; and the internal of the bump is provided
with a punch hole; whereby the whole body is adapted to be
assembled into one when the bolts pass through each of the punch
holes, and the interlinked through holes with notches, compression
rings, and through holes with notches constitute the interlinked
clamping holes for clamping the cable line.
9. An environmental monitoring pipeline closure, which is composed
of an upper platen, an expansion body, a lower platen, a plurality
of bolts and a plurality of compression rings, wherein the upper
platen is provided with a plurality of through holes with notches
and punch holes, as well as an assembly hole to assemble a gas
sensing device; the expansion body is provided below the upper
platen, and a plurality of circular through holes and sleeve holes
are provided inside the expansion body; the circular through holes
are connected with the through holes with notches of the upper
platen; the compression rings are C-shaped ring body with notches,
on which a wedge is provided in the upper end for increasing a
tensile clamping force against the cable line, the lower end being
used for 10 being sleeved into the circular through hole of the
expansion body, its outer wall being provided with a stepped
portion by which the through holes with notches on the upper platen
are sleeved and fixed into the stepped portion of the compression
rings simultaneously when the upper platen is assembled with the
expansion body; the surface of the lower platen relative to the
circular through hole of the expansion body is provided with a
plurality of through holes with notches; the upper end relative to
the sleeve holes of the expansion body is provided with bumps by
which the upper end is inserted into the sleeve hole and assembled
with the expansion body; the internal of the bump is provided with
a punch hole; whereby the whole body is arranged to be assembled
into one when the bolts pass through each of the punch holes, and
the interlinked through holes with notches, compression rings, and
through holes with notches constitute the interlinked clamping
holes for clamping the cable line.
10. The environmental monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the color of the pipeline closure is changed when
sensing that a specific gas concentration exceeds the standard
value.
11. The wireless positioning and warning system of the
environmental monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 6,
wherein the monitoring device is a PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant), a smart phone, or a notebook computer.
12. The wireless positioning and warning system of the
environmental monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 6,
wherein a control center is also provided to transfer data through
TCP (Transmission control protocol)/IP (Internet protocol) with the
monitoring device.
13. The wireless positioning and warning system of the
environmental monitoring pipeline closure as claimed in claim 6,
wherein a radio frequency identification (RFID) system is provided
on the pipeline closure for quickly identifying the location.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an environmental monitoring
pipeline closure and a wireless positioning and warning system
thereof, particularly to a pipeline closure which allows cable line
to be mounted and fixed. Compression rings having a wedge are
provided to the closure for fixedly holding the cable line. A gas
sensing device is provided on the main body for detecting gas
concentrations within the space of manhole channel. The detected
data is transmitted to a monitoring device through wireless
transmission, so that a monitor on the ground can monitor the gas
concentration state at any time within the space of manhole channel
for security processing to prevent from casualties of workers.
[0003] Description of the Prior Art
[0004] As to conventional cable or pipeline constructions performed
inside the channels under the ground, a plurality of pipeline
closure is disposed at intervals for ensuring a cable line to be
mounted fixedly. The internal axial of a conventional pipeline
closure is provided with a plurality of inner pipe holes. The cable
line must be individually aligned with each of the inner pipe holes
for penetration. However, the distance from the entrance to the
mounting of the pipeline closure is long, and individual alignment
is required in the process of long-distance penetration. This
increases the difficulty of assembly, making it difficult to be
fixed. Further, the cable line is likely to be displaced due to the
traction caused by cars driven on the road.
[0005] In addition, manhole channels of electric power and
telecommunications are used as places for underground cable
differences continuing, connection, and accommodating, as well as
placing space for cable accessory equipment such as relays, care
iron, and inflatable test equipment. The manhole channels are
constructed of a reinforced concrete structure, belonging to a
confined construction space. After manholes are created in the
underground tunnel and laying of cable lines, electricity,
telecommunications personnel usually do not need to go into and out
of manholes unless cable, fiber optic equipment malfunction and
need repair or expansion/grafting. Since the manhole channel
belongs to the underground confined space, bad ventilation may
exist, and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide,
and carbon dioxide may be produced when people entering and
treading mud inside the manhole channel. Since the gases are mostly
colorless and odorless, the human body may not sense them based on
the sense of smell. Therefore, injuries and deaths of workers may
occur frequently due to excessive inhalation of toxic gas or oxygen
deficiency.
[0006] In fact, different types of mortal dangers exist in
different confined space and work environments, but the highest
percentage of dangers is gas hazards. According to the report and
analysis on major occupational hazard inspection relevant to
confined space, the number of cases about cause of death is 98% of
the total amount, and the number of persons suffering disaster in a
single event more than one is 60% of the total amount, wherein the
types of disasters caused by gas account for about 97%.
[0007] In view of the tragedy about injuries and deaths of people
working in the manhole channel due to gas poisoning time to time,
after a long period of research in conjunction with improvement on
the aforementioned deficiency, the present invention is eventually
presented by the inventor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to
provide an environmental monitoring pipeline closure and a wireless
positioning and warning system thereof, which analyzes the state of
hypoxia and gas hazards for the confined space of manhole channel
and work environment using gas detection and alarm functions in
conjunction with wireless communication for remote monitoring.
[0009] According to the environmental monitoring pipeline closure
and the wireless positioning and warning system of the present
invention, in which the pipeline closure mounted inside a
underground manhole channel can enable a cable or a pipeline to be
fixed. In addition, a gas sensing device is also provided for
detecting a specific gas concentration inside the manhole
channel.
[0010] According to the environmental monitoring pipeline closure
and the wireless positioning and warning system of the present
invention, a gas sensing device disposed on the pipeline closure,
when detecting a specific gas concentration within the manhole
channel exceeds the standard value, can issue a warning sound to
keep on-site workers informed to evacuate while keeping the monitor
on the ground informed through wireless communication to make
necessary prevention. This is another objective of the present
invention.
[0011] According to the environmental monitoring pipeline closure
and the wireless positioning and warning system of the present
invention, a monitoring device is further provided, which may be a
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a cellular phone, for a monitor
on the ground to be kept informed of the detection result of the
gas sensing device through the monitoring device. Thus is a further
objective of the present invention.
[0012] The detailed structure, application principles, functions
and effectiveness of the present invention will be apparent with
reference to the following description in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an environmental
monitoring pipeline closure and a wireless positioning and warning
system thereof according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a gas sensing device of
the environmental monitoring pipeline closure and the wireless
positioning and warning system thereof according to the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a monitoring device showing a
gas sensing device of the environmental monitoring pipeline closure
and the wireless positioning and warning system thereof according
to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the usage of the
environmental monitoring pipeline closure and the wireless
positioning and warning system on a manhole channel according to
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is another block diagram of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure and the wireless positioning and
warning system thereof according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure according to the present invention;
and
[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded plan view of the environmental
monitoring pipeline closure according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] An environmental monitoring pipeline closure and a wireless
positioning and warning system thereof in the present invention, as
shown in FIG. 1, includes a pipeline closure 100 and a monitoring
device 200; specifically, the interior of the pipeline closure 100
is provided with a plurality of clamping holes 101 and an assembly
hole 102. Specifically, the clamping holes 101 allow for the
passing through and fixing of a cable line 11. The internal of the
assembly hole 102 is provided with a gas sensing device 300.
[0021] Please refer to FIG. 2. The gas sensing device 300 includes:
a gas detector 301, a signal amplifier 302, a microcontroller 303,
a battery module 304, and a first wireless communication module
305. Specifically, a vent hole 31 is provided on the gas detector
301 to detect gas content (e.g. oxygen) within a pipeline. The gas
detector 301 may proceed with detection in a form of
electrochemical, semiconductor, wafer thermal conduction and
others. The battery module 304 uses mercury batteries as a power
source. An external control interface of the microcontroller 303
may be provided with a plurality of key switches which can perform
functions such as correction, power testing, and system reset
through a microcontroller I/O port in conjunction with a control
program. Moreover, the internal of the microcontroller 303 is
provided with a data processing APP for processing the gas data
detected.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the monitoring device 200 is a handheld
mobile device, comprising a second wireless communication module
201, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 202, a display screen 203, and
a warning device 204. Specifically, the gas data processing APP is
provided in the CPU 202 to perform analysis and comparison on data
detected by the gas detector 301. The transmission of the second
wireless communication module 201 and first wireless communication
module 305 can be transmitted can be processed through Zigbee
agreements and/or wireless sensor network (WSN). The transmission
manner may also be Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, 802.11 wireless
network and so on.
[0023] The aforementioned second wireless communication module 201
and first wireless communication module 305 include antenna, RF
signal processing circuit, baseband and logic processing
circuit.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, when the pipeline closure 100 of the
present invention is mounted on a manhole channel 500, the cable
line can be mounted and fixed. Also, the gas sensing device 300 can
be used for detecting the gas content within the manhole channel so
that the workers do not need to carry heavy detection equipment to
proceed with maintenance easily in the narrow space of manhole
channel.
[0025] The gas detector 301 is used for detecting the gas content
inside the manhole channel. The data detected by the gas detector
301 is converted to an analog signal, amplified by the signal
amplifier 302, and then transmitted to the microcontroller 303
which is a 10-bit analog/digital converter with 8 channels. After
the analog signal is received, digital data processing is performed
and the analog signal is converted to digital data, which is then
transmitted from the first wireless communication module 305,
through Zigbee agreements and/or wireless sensor network (WSN), to
the second wireless communication module 201 of the monitoring
device 200. After that, the input digital data is analyzed and
compared by a gas data processing APP of the monitoring device 200,
and then displayed on the display screen 203. When determining the
detected gas oxygen content is less than the predetermined value, a
warning device 204 is started to issue a warning sound or the
monitoring device 200 vibrates to alert the monitor person.
[0026] Accordingly, the monitor outside the manhole channel 500 can
be kept informed of the oxygen content status of the manhole
channel, and promptly keep the worker in the manhole channel 500
informed to evacuate when the oxygen content is confirmed too low,
which ensures the safety of workers.
[0027] Please refer to FIG. 5. When the environmental monitoring
pipeline closure and the wireless positioning and warning system
thereof according to the present invention is implemented, a
control center 600 is also provided, the control center 600 is a PC
terminal, which receives and saves digital data transmitted by a
monitoring device 200 through the wireless internet TCP
(Transmission Control p Protocol)/IP (Internet Protocol) so that
the people in the computer PC terminal can make comprehensive
reporting and treatment.
[0028] The monitoring device 200 in the present invention may be a
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smart phone, or a notebook
computer.
[0029] Please refer to FIG. 6. The pipeline closure 100 in the
present invention is composed of an upper platen 1, an expansion
body 2, a lower platen 3, a plurality of bolts 41, 42, 43, 44 and a
plurality of compression rings 51, 52, 53. Specifically, the upper
platen 1 is provided with a plurality of through holes with notches
111, 112, 113 and a punch hole 13, as well as an assembly hole
102.
[0030] The expansion body 2 is disposed below the upper platen 1,
wherein three circular through holes 211, 212, 213 and a plurality
of irregular shaped sleeve holes 221, 222, 223, 224 are provided
thereon; the circular through holes 211, 212, 213 are connected
with the through holes with notches 111, 112, 113 of the upper
platen 1; the internal of the circular through holes 211, 212, 213
may be provided with the compression rings 51, 52, 53.
[0031] The compression rings 51, 52, 53 are all a C-shaped ring
body with notches, its upper end 5A is provided with a wedge 54 for
increasing the tensile clamping force against the cable line, and
its lower end 5B is used for being sleeved into the circular
through holes 211, 212, 213 of the expansion body 2. An outer wall
of the lower end 5B is provided with a stepped portion 55, by which
the through holes with notches 111, 112, 113 can be sleeved and
fixed into the stepped portion 55 simultaneously when the upper
platen 1 is assembled to the upper end of the expansion body 2.
[0032] The surface of the lower platen 3 relative to the circular
through holes 211, 212, 213 of the expansion body 2 is provided
with through holes with notches 311, 312, 313; its upper end
relative to irregular shaped sleeve holes 221, 222, 223, 224 of the
expansion body 2 is provided with irregular shaped bumps 321, 322,
323, 324, such that the lower platen 3 can be inserted into
irregular shaped sleeve holes 221, 222, 223, 224 through the
irregular shaped bumps 321, 322, 323, 324 and assembled with the
expansion body 2; the bottom of the irregular shaped bumps 321,
322, 323, 324 is also provided with a punch hole 33; whereby the
whole body can be assembled into one when the bolts 41, 42, 43, 44
pass through each of the punch holes 13, 33, and the interlinked
through holes with notches 111, 112, 113, compression rings 51, 52,
53, and through holes with notches 311, 312, 313 constitute the
interlinked clamping holes for clamping the cable line.
[0033] Please then refer to FIG. 7. In the pipeline closure 100 of
the present invention, after the upper platen 1, expansion body 2,
lower platen 3 and the plurality of compression rings 51, 52, 53
are engaged relative to each other, the whole body can be separated
into a male plug body 100A and a female plug body 100B which not
only facilitates transportation, but also enables people to quickly
mount the cable line to the clamping holes of the male plug body
100A or the female plug body 100B from a lateral side. The male
plug body 100A or the female plug body 100B is then assembled when
the plurality of bolts 41, 42, 43, 44 pass through a punch hole,
and the up/down crimping of the whole body compresses the cable
line, thereby achieving really airtight, and providing advantages
of easy for construction, better waterproof and pressure-resistant
and not easy to produce good creeping.
[0034] When the present invention is implemented, a radio frequency
identification (RFID) system can be provided on the pipeline
closure 100 for quickly identifying the location. In an embodiment,
the pipeline closure may be a direct reading pipeline closure whose
surface color is changed when exposed to a certain amount of gas
concentrations due to the selection and use of inductive materials
or sensing pigments so as to provide timely protection for on-site
workers.
[0035] The direct reading pipeline closure also has a high
temperature color display capability, with the contact of the
internal media (silica gel, alumina gel, etc.) and harmful gases,
through the attached chemical substances on the internal media, a
color reaction is produced so as to confirm the degree of gas
contamination from the observed degree of color change of the
pipeline closure. For example, when carbon dioxide is detected and
carbon dioxide concentrations reach 400 mg/m3, the direct reading
pipeline closure is changed from red to white so that the workers
can apprehend at a glance to protect themselves promptly. Also,
after the pipeline closure is mounted, it will process on-site
environment detection without manual operation.
[0036] As described above, the environmental monitoring pipeline
closure and the wireless positioning and warning system thereof
according to the present invention can indeed detect harmful gas
concentrations or oxygen timely to prevent injuries and deaths of
people working inside the manhole channel. This is not disclosed
and used in public, and is compliant with provisions of the Patent
Law. It would be appreciated if the committee could kindly approve
and grant a patent earlier for the benefit of society.
[0037] It should be noted that the described are preferred
embodiments, and that changes and modifications may be made to the
described embodiments without departing from the scope of the
invention as disposed by the appended claims.
* * * * *