Temperature monitoring and control system for a hose bibb with network communication

Abstract

Ways of monitoring the temperature of a hose bibb are provided. A system includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hose bibb, a communication module for transmitting signals to a network, and a controller in electronic communication with the temperature sensor and the communication module. The controller is configured to a signal representative of the temperature of the hose bibb from the temperature sensor and is further configured to activate the communication module to transmit the signal to the network when the hose bibb temperature falls below a predetermined threshold. The system may also include a heating module configured to be activated by the controller to heat the hose bibb upon the temperature falling below the first predetermined temperature. The system provides real-time monitoring and alerts for militating against freezing conditions of the hose bibb, enhancing the efficiency and safety of hose bibb operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring a temperature of a hose bibb, comprising:
 a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the hose bibb;   a communication module configured to transmit a signal to a network; and   a controller in electronic communication with the temperature sensor and the communication module, the controller configured to receive a signal representative of the temperature of the hose bibb from the temperature sensor, the controller configured to activate the communication module to transmit the signal to the network when the temperature of the hose bibb is below a first predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating module configured to heat the hose bibb, wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating module to heat the hose bibb when the temperature of the hose bibb is below the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the heating module when the temperature of the hose bibb is above a second predetermined temperature, the second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the hose bibb at a predetermined interval. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a length of the predetermined interval is based upon a temperature of the hose bibb. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising an external temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an environment outside of the hose bibb. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the length of the predetermined interval is based upon a temperature of the environment outside of the hose bibb. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitted to the network is configured to be received by a user device, the user device including an application configured to communicate with the communication module through the network. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the application is configured to operate the controller through the network. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the application is operable to send a command to the controller through the network, the command including a member selected from a group consisting of set a temperature alert level, operate a heating module, set a temperature detection interval, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a cover configured to surround the hose bibb. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed on an inside portion of the cover. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed on an outside portion of the cover. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is configured to surround an entirety of the hose bibb. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the system further comprises a heating module configured to heat the hose bibb, wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating module to heat the hose bibb when the temperature of the hose bibb is below the first predetermined temperature;   the controller is configured to deactivate the heating module when the temperature of the hose bibb is above a second predetermined temperature, the second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature;   the temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the hose bibb at a predetermined interval;   a length of the predetermined interval is based upon a temperature of the hose bibb;   the system further comprises an external temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an environment outside of the hose bibb;   the length of the predetermined interval is based upon a temperature of the environment outside of the hose bibb;   the signal transmitted to the network is configured to be received by a user device, the user device including an application configured to communicate with the communication module through the network;   the application is configured to operate the controller through the network;   the application is operable to send a command to the controller through the network, the command including a member selected from a group consisting of set a temperature alert level, operate the heating module, set a temperature detection interval, and combinations thereof;   the system further includes a cover configured to surround the hose bibb;   the temperature sensor is disposed on an inside portion of the cover;   the temperature sensor is disposed on an outside portion of the cover; and   the cover is configured to surround an entirety of the hose bibb.   
     
     
         16 . A method of monitoring a temperature of a hose bibb comprising:
 providing a system for monitoring a temperature of a hose bibb, the system including:
 a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the hose bibb; 
 a communication module configured to transmit a signal to a network; 
 a controller in electronic communication with the temperature sensor and the communication module, the controller configured to receive a signal representative of the temperature of the hose bibb from the temperature sensor, the controller configured to activate the communication module to transmit the signal to the network when the temperature of the hose bibb is below a first predetermined temperature; and 
 a heating module configured to heat the hose bibb, wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating module to heat the hose bibb when the temperature of the hose bibb is below the first predetermined temperature; 
   sensing, by the temperature sensor, a temperature of the hose bibb;   transmitting, by the temperature sensor, the signal representative of the temperature of the hose bibb to the controller;   activating, by the controller, the communication module to transmit the signal to the network when the temperature of the hose bibb is below a first predetermined temperature; and   activating, by the controller, the heating module to heat the hose bibb upon the temperature of the hose bibb falling below a first predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising deactivating, by the controller, the heating module upon the temperature of the hose bibb reaching a second predetermined temperature, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising receiving, at a user device, the signal transmitted to the network, the user device including an application configured to communicate with the communication module through the network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising operating the application to send a command to the controller through the network, the command including a member selected from a group consisting of setting a temperature alert level, operating the heating module, setting a temperature detection interval, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising accessing, at the user device, a historical temperature log for the hose bibb as detected by the temperature sensor.