Remote sensing and communication system
AssigneeHadronex, Inc.
InventorsDavid A. Drake, Gregory M. Quist
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.
Claims20
A remote sensing system comprising:
- a housing having communication ports;
- one or more analog sensors connected to the communication ports, the analog sensors monitoring parameters in the vicinity of the housing;
- an analog/digital (A/D) converter in communication with the analog sensors through the communication ports;
- a microcontroller connected to the analog/digital (A/D) converter within the housing, the microcontroller comprising instructions for receiving the parameters from the analog/digital (A/D) converter and for communicating the parameters to a two-way communication module through a digital connection;
- an external antenna connected to the two-way communication module for transmitting the parameters to a communication device;
- and
- a power means for providing power at least to the microcontroller and analog/digital (A/D) converter.
A remote sensing system comprising:
- a housing having communication ports for sensors, the sensors monitoring parameters in the vicinity of the housing;
- a microcontroller within the housing for communicating the parameters to a two-way communication module through a digital connection;
- an external antenna connected to the two-way communication module for transmitting the parameters to a communication device;
- a power means for providing power to the housing;
- and
- an additional antenna connected to the two-way communication module for direct communications to the first communication device or another communication device through the ground.
A remote sensing system comprising:
- a housing having communication ports for sensors, the sensors monitoring parameters in the vicinity of the housing;
- a microcontroller within the housing for communicating the parameters to a two-way communication module through a digital connection;
- an external antenna connected to the two-way communication module for transmitting the parameters to a first communication device;
- a power means for providing power to the housing;
- and
- at least one analog or digital sensor configured to be mounted on a wall or floor of a manhole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.