DESC:Priority Claim:
[0001] This application claims priority from the provisional application numbered 202041036660 filed with Indian Patent Office, Chennai on 26th August 2020 and post-dated to 26th February 2021 entitled “An integrated underground system for housing devices and equipment”, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0002] The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Technical field of the invention
[0003] The present invention relates in general to an integrated underground system for housing devices and equipment. The present invention particularly relates to a system for providing a safe and protected enclosure for various communication and non-communication devices and equipment to ensure their optimal working and to facilitate wired and wireless communication services between the devices and equipment with external signal communication systems.
Background of the invention
[0004] The present systems for housing communication devices and equipment such as broadcasting systems, radio and microwave communication systems, communication antennas, data transmission cables and so on, occupy a significant amount of space. The systems are physically large in size and are placed above ground level which inhibit pedestrians from utilizing the designated pathway for walking thereby causing inconvenience to the pedestrians. Additionally, in the event of maintenance and repairing of the housing system, the complete walk-way/utility space is blocked or occupied, leading to unsafe road conditions for pedestrians as they have limited to no space to walk comfortably.
[0005] The present systems for housing communication devices and equipment also operate on 3G, 4G and/or 5G networks, which are very high maintenance networks. For this reason, the cables that are connected from the antenna of the communication tower to the housing unit used need to be of a superior quality to support the network. Due to the superior quality of cables used to support the network, the subsequent costs for these cables are significantly high. Additionally, the housing units for these cables may not be placed physically close to the antenna, further increasing the overall cost of the housing unit. In the process of laying down cables and installing communication towers, a large amount of capital is expended in the surveying and testing of the land upon which the cables and signal communication towers must be installed. It must also be ensured that the depth of the excavation associated with the installation is at the optimal level, otherwise there is a risk of the cables interfering with previously installed systems such as public/private underground services, water and sewage pipelines, power lines, connectivity services and so on.
[0006] The patent application number US4872575A titled “Protective housing structure for underground devices” discloses a protective housing structure for underground devices, such as valves, meters and the like including a base assembly constructed as an upstanding wall with an open bottom and open top. The base assembly is constructed so that a plurality of housing structures may be ganged together. Interlock structure is provided on each end wall, for example, one end wall may be configured as a dovetail tongue and the other end wall as a dovetail channel that mateably receives the tongue on an adjacent end wall. The end walls also may be selectively cut and removed to form a slot for longitudinal conduits, pipes and the like. The lower panel is preferably constructed as a plurality of panel sections connected to one another along linear regions of reduced wall thickness, and the lower panel is connected to the upper panel along a linear region of reduced wall thickness. An installer may make a pair of spaced-apart incisions to one linear region to form a flap that may be deflected from the sidewall to create a sidewall opening for transverse conduit.
[0007] Hence, there is a need for an underground housing system to house communication and non-communication devices and equipment.
Summary of the invention
[0008] The present invention discloses a system designed in a scalable, adaptable and modular manner to house a plurality of communications and non-communication devices and equipment. The system comprises of a solid enclosure, at least one networking rack, an exhaust system and a set of conduits. The system is capable of being monitored either remotely or locally, depending upon the operator or service provider utilising the services of the system.
[0009] The system discloses an underground solid enclosure that houses all the electronic devices and equipment which may be monitored and controlled either locally and/or remotely by a designated authority. The solid enclosure may house one or more networking racks which serve as the basic structures upon which all the devices and equipment are placed in the solid enclosure. The enclosure is connected to an external signal communication system that facilitates communication between the system and the external signal communication system. The system is connected to a signal communication tower that enables remote operation of the solid enclosure, where the solid enclosure is placed below ground level. The enclosure is protected from external agents by a multi-layered protective top cover which is weather resistant.
[0010] The system discloses a movable networking rack that accommodates a plurality of devices and equipment which is capable of being moved along guide rails present in the enclosure to allow movement of the networking racks. The movable networking rack is provided with the enclosure allows hassle-free and easy maintenance and servicing of devices and equipment that are contained in the enclosure.
[0011] The system communicates with the external signal communication system via conduits in the enclosure that serve to transmit data and power signals to and from the signal communication tower. The set of conduits housed in the solid enclosure transmits the data and/or power signals between the system and the external signal communication system. The conduits are also equipped with 3G/4G/5G capabilities to enable swift and efficient communication between the system and the external signal communication system.
[0012] The system contains an exhaust system connected to the enclosure that makes sure that the contents of the enclosure do not heat up excessively and thus malfunction. The exhaust system comprises a cooling mechanism which ensures that the devices and equipment provided in the solid enclosure are not subjected to overheating. The exhaust system provides an outlet for the expulsion of exhaust gases from the system.
Brief description of the drawings:
[0013] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0014] FIG 1 illustrates an integrated underground housing system for housing devices and equipment.
Detailed description of the invention:
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, which are shown in figures. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0016] The present invention relates to a system designed in a scalable, adaptable and modular manner to house a plurality of communications and non-communication devices and equipment. The system comprises a solid enclosure which is placed below ground level in order to conserve and optimise space. The system is connected to a signal communication tower that enables remote operation of the enclosure. The system also comprises at least one networking rack which accommodates a plurality of devices and equipment and are capable of being accessed from multiple directions. The networking rack is also capable of being moved along guide rails present in the enclosure to allow movement of the networking racks in case of installation, maintenance, repair work and so on, required in the enclosure. The system communicates with the external signal communication system via conduits in the enclosure that serve to transmit data and power signals to and from the signal communication tower. The system may also comprise an efficient exhaust system connected to the enclosure that makes sure that the contents of the enclosure do not heat up excessively and thus malfunction.
[0017] FIG 1 illustrates a scalable, adaptable and modular system designed to house a plurality of communication and/or non-communication devices and equipment. The system (100) comprises an underground enclosure (101) that houses all the electronic devices and equipment which may be monitored and controlled either locally and/or remotely by a designated authority. The designated authority is granted access to the system (100) via multi-layered security protocols, wherein the security protocols generate alerts in the event of malfunctioning or security breach of the system (100). The system (100) may additionally act as an individual system, housing devices and equipment for performing tasks. In one embodiment, the devices and equipment may be used for providing telecommunication services and may house devices and equipment such as broadcasting systems, radio and microwave communication systems, data transmission cables and so on. The enclosure (101) is connected to an external signal communication system (102) that facilitates communication between the system (100) and the external signal communication system (102). The external signal communication system (102) may be any communication system that enables various operations of the system (100) such as opening and closing of the enclosure (101) to allow for maintenance of the system (100) and for general repairs, running diagnostics on the enclosure (101) to ensure that the system (100) is operating as expected, displaying information pertaining to the various devices and equipment housed within the enclosure (101) to ensure that the devices and equipment are running at optimal conditions and are performing as expected, and so on. In one embodiment, the external signal communication system (102) is an integrated communication tower that is capable of functioning as a kiosk that an end-user may be able to access and interact with, in order to perform actions on the system (100).
[0018] The enclosure (101) may house one or more networking racks (103) which comprise one or more communication and/or non-communication devices and equipment. The networking racks (103) serve as the basic structures upon which all the devices and equipment are placed in the enclosure (101) and serves the purpose of maintaining the devices and equipment in their respective place without letting any harm come to them. In one embodiment, the system (100) acts as a housing unit for telecommunication purposes, wherein networking racks (103) store and house telecommunication devices and equipment. One networking rack (103) within the enclosure (101) may be assigned to one particular telecommunication operator or service provider to facilitate storage services and enable telecommunication connections between the operator or service providers’ devices and equipment and the system (100). In the case of more than one networking racks (103), there may be multiple service providers utilising the telecommunication services of the system (100), wherein each of the operators or service providers operate their respective networking rack (103).
[0019] Additionally, the networking racks (103) are capable of being removed from the enclosure (101) and once removed, the networking racks (103) are fully accessible from 4 directions parallel to the ground level and partially accessible from 2 directions perpendicular to the ground level to facilitate actions such as installation and maintenance of the networking racks (103) and the enclosure (101) itself, addition or removal of devices and equipment from the networking racks (103) and so on. The networking racks (103) are also capable of being moved in a translatory motion over guide rails that are indisposed on the surface of the enclosure (101). In the case of usage of multiple networking racks (103), each of the networking racks (103) are capable of being moved independently to allow for effortless maintenance of the networking racks (103) and enclosure (101), addition or removal of devices and equipment from the networking racks (103) and so on.
[0020] Further, the system (100) comprises an exhaust system (104) which comprises a cooling mechanism which ensures that the devices and equipment provided in the enclosure (101) are not subjected to overheating. The cooling mechanisms employed may be air, water, thermally insulating fluid such as Novec fluid and so on. The exhaust system (104) also provides an outlet for the expulsion of exhaust gases from the system (100). Further, the exhaust system (104) may be placed above ground level to enhance the cooling capabilities of the system (100).
[0021] The enclosure (101) also houses a set of conduits (105) that serve to transmit data and/or power signals between the system (100) and the external signal communication system (102). The conduits (105) are also equipped with 3G/4G/5G capabilities to enable swift and efficient communication between the system (100) and the external signal communication system (102). Due to the close proximity of these conduits with the enclosure (101) and the external signal communication system (102), the overhead costs associated with utilisation of expensive high-efficiency communication cables is significantly reduced.
[0022] The enclosure (101) is situated underground and is protected from external corrosive and erosive agents such as weather conditions, dust, moisture and so on by means of a multi-layered protective top cover (106) which is fabricated from weather resistant materials. The top cover (106) is designed to fit into the ground to enable a secure seal to ensure no corrosive and erosive agents enter the enclosure (101). The system (100) is capable of being monitored either remotely or locally, depending upon the operator or service provider utilising the services of the system (100). This provides the operator or service provider the flexibility of choosing which mode of operation they would rather prefer. In the event that the enclosure (101) is not remotely or locally accessible, the enclosure (101) provides a fail-safe mechanism which ensures that the enclosure (101) does not open in these circumstances and remains securely closed and locked. The manufacturer of the system (100) may then physically extract the enclosure (101) from below the ground level by accessing the enclosure (101) using an unlocking mechanism such as a key that is able to grant access to the manufacturer in such an event. In one embodiment, the system (100) may comprise one or more top covers (106) for optimal accessibility of the system (100).
[0023] The present invention provides an underground enclosure (101) which houses communication and/or non-communication devices and equipment underground, thereby enabling the pedestrians to utilize the walkways effectively. Further, the movable networking rack (103) provided with the enclosure (101) allows hassle-free and easy maintenance and servicing of devices and equipment that are contained in the enclosure (101). Since the enclosure (101) is established in close proximity to the signal communication system (102), the system reduces the overall expenditure associated with the communication of data and/or signals between the enclosure (101) and the signal communication system (102). The exhaust system (104) connected to the enclosure (101) in conjunction with the cooling system ensures that all the devices and equipment housed within the system (100) are always operating at optimal conditions, despite the conditions outside the enclosure (101). This feature along with the weather-resistant top cover (106) perform exceptionally well to ensure that the contents of the system (100) are not only protected from corrosive and erosive agents but are also functioning as per expectations.
[0024] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist.
Reference numbers:
Components Reference Numbers
System 100
Enclosure 101
Signal communication system 102
Networking rack 103
Exhaust system 104
Conduits 105
Top cover 106

,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. An integrated system (100) for housing plurality of devices and equipment, comprising:
a. an underground enclosure (101) with a multi-layered protective top cover (106) to house one or more electronic devices and equipment;
b. an external signal communication system (102) connected to the enclosure (101) that facilitates communication with the system (100);
c. more than one networking racks (103) upon which the devices and equipment are placed in the enclosure (101);
d. an exhaust system (104) having a cooling mechanism to ensure that the devices and equipment provided in the enclosure (101) are not subjected to overheating; and
e. a set of conduits (105) to transmit data and/or power signals between the system (100) and the external signal communication system (102);
wherein, the underground enclosure (101) may be monitored and controlled either locally and/or remotely by a designated authority, where the system (100) performs tasks including providing telecommunication services.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the external signal communication system (102) enables various operations of the system (100) including opening and closing of the enclosure (101) to allow for maintenance of the system (100), and displaying information pertaining to the various devices and equipment housed within the enclosure (101).

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enclosure (101) houses one or more networking racks (103) having one or more communication and/or non-communication devices and equipment, the networking racks (103) maintains the devices and equipment in their respective locations.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein networking racks (103) are capable of being removed from the enclosure (101) and are completely accessible from one or more directions parallel to the ground level.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the exhaust system (104) installed above ground level is equipped with a cooling mechanism to ensure that the devices and equipment provided in the enclosure (101) are not overheated, where the exhaust system (104) expels the exhaust gases from the system.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the set of conduits (105) are equipped with 3G/4G/5G capabilities to enable swift and efficient communication between the system (100) and the external signal communication system (102).
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the multi-layered protective top cover (106) is fabricated from weather resistant materials, the top cover (106) is designed to fit into the ground to enable a secure seal to ensure no corrosive and erosive agents enter the enclosure (101).
8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enclosure (101) provides a fail-safe mechanism, where the enclosure (101) cannot be opened and remains securely closed and locked, and can be unlocked using an unlocking mechanism to grant access after being physically extracted from under the ground.