Relay modules for communication within a mesh network
View Patent ↗The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for relaying data. An exemplary device includes a relay module comprising: a mast having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity; an antenna disposed within the cavity; and a mounting device coupled to the mast and engageable with a utility structure.
1. A relay module comprising:
a mast having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity, the mast defining a utility structure marker;
an antenna disposed within the cavity;
a spring assembly comprising a spring, an upper spring insert attached to the mast, and a lower spring insert;
a radio housing; and
a mounting device positioned between the radio housing and the mast, coupled to the mast and engageable with a utility structure, the mounting device attached to the lower spring insert.
2. The relay module of claim 1 , wherein the mast is movable relative to the mounting device.
3. The relay module of claim 1 , wherein the spring includes an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section, the middle section having a diameter larger than the upper section, the upper section having a diameter equal to the lower section.
4. The relay module of claim 1 , further comprising an RF connector disposed within the spring assembly and connected to the antenna.
5. The relay module of claim 1 , wherein the mounting device is a mounting bracket.
6. The relay module of claim 5 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a fastener hole.
7. The relay module of claim 1 , a wherein the radio housing is coupled to the mounting device.
8. The relay module of claim 7 , wherein the radio housing includes at least one battery.
9. The relay module of claim 7 , wherein the radio housing includes a circuit board.
10. The relay module of claim 1 , wherein the utility structure is a fire hydrant.
11. The relay module of claim 10 , wherein:
the fire hydrant includes a bonnet and a hydrant body, the bonnet coupled to the hydrant body by a plurality of fasteners; and
the mounting device is engageable with the fire hydrant by a fastener of the plurality of fasteners.
12. The relay module of claim 11 , wherein:
the plurality of fasteners includes nuts and bolts; and
the mounting device includes a fastener hole sized to accept a bolt of the plurality of fasteners.
13. A relay module system comprising:
a utility structure;
a mast having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity, the mast defining a utility structure marker, the cavity extending above the utility structure;
an RF circuit including an antenna, the antenna disposed within the cavity of the mast;
a radio housing; and
a mounting device located between the radio housing and the mast, fastening the mast to the utility structure, coupled to the radio housing.
14. The relay module system of claim 13 , wherein the utility structure is a fire hydrant, the fire hydrant including a bonnet and a hydrant body, the bonnet coupled to the hydrant body by a plurality of fasteners.
15. The relay module system of claim 14 , wherein the mounting device is fastened to the fire hydrant by a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket engaging one fastener of the plurality of fasteners.
16. The relay module system of claim 13 , further comprising a spring assembly coupling the mast to the mounting device.
17. The relay module system of claim 16 , wherein the spring assembly comprises a spring, an upper spring insert attached to the mast, and a lower spring insert.
18. The relay module system of claim 17 , wherein the spring includes an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section, the middle section having a diameter larger than the upper section, the upper section having a diameter equal to the lower section.
19. The relay module system of claim 17 , wherein the mounting device is attached to the lower spring insert.
20. The relay module system of claim 13 , wherein the RF circuit includes a circuit board and at least one battery, the radio housing containing the circuit board and the at least one battery of the RF circuit.