Sewer cap monitoring system
The present disclosure provides a fluid monitoring device comprising a transmitter housing attached to an underside of a cap, configured to accept a cable and comprising alignment features that index the housing to the cap. The device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) within the transmitter housing, comprising a battery, microprocessor, and transmitter for wireless communication with peripheral devices. The device also comprises a linkage and sensor assembly with a capacitive sensor, wherein the linkage tethers the sensor assembly to the transmitter housing via the cable. The microprocessor interprets capacitance readings from the capacitive sensor and, upon detecting readings above a threshold, instructs the transmitter to transmit a flood signal.
1 . A fluid monitoring device comprising:
a transmitter housing attached to an underside of a cap, the transmitter housing configured to at least partially accept a cable;
a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the transmitter housing, the PCB comprising a microprocessor and a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more peripheral devices;
a linkage;
a sensor assembly comprising a capacitive sensor, wherein the linkage mechanically tethers the sensor assembly to the transmitter housing, wherein the cable extends from the transmitter housing to the sensor assembly, wherein, upon determination that a capacitance reading is above a threshold capacitance reading, the microprocessor instructs the transmitter to transmit a flood signal, the sensor assembly comprising a plate receptacle housing the capacitive sensor, wherein the plate receptacle forms a channel, the channel comprising an indentation disposed on a bottom of the sensor assembly, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises two capacitive plates positioned on interior walls of the channel, the channel configured to receive fluid during a flood event such that the fluid is positioned between the two capacitive plates.
2 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the cap is a sewer cleanout cap.
3 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter housing comprises one or more alignment features disposed on a top surface of the transmitter housing, the one or more alignment features configured to index the transmitter housing to the cap.
4 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 3 , the transmitter housing further comprising a snap hook release and a stem extending through a vertical axis of the transmitter housing, the stem at least partially retaining the snap hook release.
5 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 1 , the transmitter housing further comprising one or more finger nubs protruding from the transmitter housing, wherein rotation of the one or more finger nubs about a vertical axis of the transmitter housing causes the cable to retract or extend from the transmitter housing.
6 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter housing is formed from a top body, a medial body, and a bottom body, wherein one or more retaining hooks are disposed on the medial body, wherein one or more retaining collars are disposed on the top body, the one or more retaining collars sized to reversibly engage with the one or more retaining hooks, and wherein one or more cable guides are disposed on the medial body, the one or more cable guides configured to guide the cable from the medial body to the bottom body.
7 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 1 , the transmitter housing further comprising an internal seal disposed around a PCB aperture and an external seal disposed around a perimeter of the PCB, wherein the PCB aperture disposed on the PCB is sized to allow passage of the linkage.
8 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 4 , wherein the linkage comprises a plurality of breakable units, each breakable unit comprising one or more latching features, and wherein the snap hook release is configured to capture the linkage, wherein the snap hook release interfaces with one of the one or more latching features via a latch on the snap hook release.
9 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is an elongated member having a t-shaped cross-section with four distinct protruding sides extending along a vertical axis of the linkage, wherein the linkage is composed of a plurality of breakable units, each breakable unit bounded by at least one latching feature, wherein the latching feature comprises a series of indents disposed at a same vertical position in each of the four protruding sides such that a cross-sectional area of the linkage decreases at the latching feature.
10 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor assembly microprocessor in informatic communication with the capacitive sensor, wherein the sensor assembly microprocessor is configured to interpret the capacitance reading from the capacitive sensor, and wherein the sensor assembly microprocessor is configured to transmit the capacitance reading to the microprocessor on the PCB of the transmitter housing.
11 . A fluid detection monitoring and alarming system comprising:
a fluid detection monitoring device comprising a transmitter housing attached to an underside of a cap, the transmitter housing further comprising an internal seal disposed around a printed circuit board (PCB) aperture and an external seal disposed around a perimeter of a printed circuit board, the PCB disposed within the transmitter housing, the PCB comprising a microprocessor and a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more peripheral devices, a linkage, and a sensor assembly comprising a capacitive sensor, wherein the linkage tethers the sensor assembly to the transmitter housing, wherein the PCB aperture disposed on the PCB is sized to allow passage of the linkage, wherein, upon determination that a capacitance reading is above a threshold capacitance reading, the microprocessor instructs the transmitter to transmit a flood signal;
a hub configured to receive the flood signal from the fluid detection monitoring device;
a client device communicatively coupled to the hub via a network, the client device configured to receive notifications associated with the flood signal from the fluid detection monitoring device.
12 . The fluid detection monitoring and alarming system of claim 11 , wherein the cap is a sewer cleanout cap.
13 . The fluid detection monitoring and alarming system of claim 11 , the hub comprising an alarm configured to provide local alerting functionality in accordance with the flood signal, wherein the alarm comprises sound outputs that initiate when the flood signal is detected by the fluid detection monitoring device.
14 . The fluid detection monitoring and alarming system of claim 11 , wherein the hub comprises a processor configured to execute instructions to interpret signals received from the fluid detection monitoring device and determine appropriate responses, a receiver configured to receive wireless signals from the fluid detection monitoring device, and a transmitter configured to relay information to the network.
15 . The fluid detection monitoring and alarming system of claim 14 , wherein the hub further comprises a cellular component enabling the hub to communicate over cellular network protocols, wherein a Wi-Fi communication protocol serves as a default communication method.
16 . The fluid detection monitoring and alarming system of claim 15 , wherein the cellular network protocol capability automatically initiates during periods of downed electricity or Wi-Fi outages, and wherein the hub further comprises a backup battery operatively connected to the processor, receiver, and transmitter, enabling the system to maintain functionality during periods of power outage.
17 . The fluid detection monitoring and alarming system of claim 11 , further comprising a server communicatively coupled to the network, wherein the server is configured to receive data from the hub, wherein the server is a server hosted by one of a municipality, a plumbing provider, or a utility company.
18 . The fluid detection monitoring and alarming system of claim 11 , wherein the system further comprises a valve communicatively coupled to the hub, wherein, in response to the flood signal, a control signal is transmitted to the valve, thereby actuating the valve to close.
19 . A fluid monitoring device comprising:
a transmitter housing attached to an underside of a cap, the transmitter housing configured to at least partially accept a cable, the transmitter housing comprising one or more alignment features disposed on a top surface of the transmitter housing, the one or more alignment features configured to index the transmitter housing to the cap, transmitter housing comprising a snap hook release and a stem extending through a vertical axis of the transmitter housing, the stem at least partially retaining the snap hook release;
a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the transmitter housing, the PCB comprising a microprocessor and a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more peripheral devices;
a linkage, wherein the linkage comprises a plurality of breakable units, each breakable unit comprising one or more latching features, and wherein the snap hook release is configured to capture the linkage, wherein the snap hook release interfaces with one of the one or more latching features via a latch on the snap hook release;
a sensor assembly comprising a capacitive sensor, wherein the linkage mechanically tethers the sensor assembly to the transmitter housing, wherein the cable extends from the transmitter housing to the sensor assembly, wherein, upon determination that a capacitance reading is above a threshold capacitance reading, the microprocessor instructs the transmitter to transmit a flood signal.
20 . The fluid monitoring device of claim 19 , the sensor assembly formed from a top member and a bottom member, wherein an o-ring is disposed between the top member and the bottom member, the bottom member comprising a sensor slot sized to accept the capacitive sensor, a cable aperture disposed on the top member, the cable aperture forming passage for the cable from an environment to an internal cavity of the sensor assembly, an anchor index configured to index the linkage within the sensor assembly, and an anchor hook configured to engage with the linkage.