A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced composite material lid for an utility vault including mixing an unsaturated polyester thermosetting matrix in to a resin paste, compounding the resin paste into a fiber reinforced composite material, maturing the compounded fiber reinforced composite material, cutting the matured compound into a charge pattern, molding the charge pattern in a mold cavity of a heated mold under low pressure to form the lid and cooling and machining the lid. The mold includes a cavity die and a core die having a shear angle for interfacing the core die within the cavity die and a steam pot for heating the cavity die and the core die, wherein the lid is molded between the cavity die and the core die and removed from the mold by a lid ejection mechanism.

A lid for a utilities vault having a moldable core and a reinforcement matrix positioned within the core, the reinforcement matrix including longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members and a plurality of lid feature housings positioned on and attached to the intersecting members, the lid feature housings extending through the core and protruding to the upper and lower surfaces of the lid, and the plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending intersecting members have a height sufficient to provide reinforcement without a perimeter member for the reinforcement matrix.

An inner peripheral portion of a receiving frame and an outer peripheral portion of a lid body each include first and second surface parts. In the closed-lid state, the first surface part of the lid body is supported by the first surface part of the frame, each of which include a gentle gradient. The second surface parts of the lid body and the receiving frame are pressed against each other by a force caused by elastic deformation of at least one of the outer peripheral portion of the lid body and the inner peripheral portion of the receiving frame. The second surface part of the receiving frame includes a steeper gradient than the first surface part of the receiving frame by reducing its diameter toward a downward direction of the receiving frame.

A lightweight composite utility cover includes an upper surface formed of a long fiber thermoplastic composite structure. An underground enclosure also includes a side wall formed of a long fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. A method of making an underground enclosure also includes Long Fiber thermoplastic (LFT) injection and/or compression molding a side wall of the underground enclosure.

A custom U-Bracket bolted into a threaded, fastening stainless steel expanding anchor affixed to molded-in attachment holes on a compression-molded, thermoset composite manhole cover to attach, house and protect a sensor, transmitter, and battery pack completely surrounded by the composite cover’s structurally reinforcing ribs.

A manhole cover includes a base with at least one opening therein to define a grate portion. A lip extends axially from the base along the outer circumference thereof, the base and the lip defining a recess. The manhole cover also comprises a composite portion comprising a composite material, the composite portion including a composite body defined by a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one aperture extends through the composite body, the top surface, and the bottom surface, the at least one aperture configured to receive at least one fastener, the at least one aperture configured to align with the at least one opening. The composite portion is configured to fit within the recess.

A system for monitoring a structures containing utility components is provided. The system includes a sensing devices, each being disposed within a structure and distributed within a geographic region, each of the sensing devices measuring parameters within the structure. A display is coupled to the sensing devices and is positioned remotely therefrom. One or more processors communicate with the sensing devices and the display. Wherein the processors perform a method comprising: receiving the measured parameters; comparing the measured parameters to thresholds; displaying on the display device elements, each device element representing one of the sensing devices, each of the device elements being geometrically arranged on the geographic distribution of the sensing devices; displaying on the display a plurality of elements, each associated with one of the device elements; and changing at least one of the elements when a measured parameter crossing one of the thresholds.

A manhole cover includes a base with at least one opening therein to define a grate portion. A lip extends axially from the base along the outer circumference thereof, the base and the lip defining a recess. The manhole cover also comprises a composite portion comprising a composite material, the composite portion including a composite body defined by a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one aperture extends through the composite body, the top surface, and the bottom surface, the at least one aperture configured to receive at least one fastener, the at least one aperture configured to align with the at least one opening. The composite portion is configured to fit within the recess.

A rotomolded lid for a meter box and a method of making the same are provided. The lid is formed in a rotomold process that embeds a pair of rebars within a hollow lid product. Concrete is then poured into the hollow portion and allowed to cure. The end result is a reinforced meter box lid that is configured to handle loads of up to 16,000 lbs. In addition, the presence of the rebars, which are ferromagnetic, allows a metal detector to detect the presence of the lid should it ever be inadvertently covered over or otherwise obscured from view. Furthermore, the central lid portion may also include a passageway covered by a hinged door to permit access to the meter box without having to lift up the lid itself. Another passageway, along with an associated countersunk portion in an upper lid surface, permits a wireless transponder to be positioned therein and connected to meter equipment in the box.

A manhole cover for manholes, sewer accesses or drainage channels, including a reinforcing element and a body made of plastic which is connected to the reinforcing element. The reinforcing element may be constructed from intersecting, vertically aligned elements. Corrugations may be formed in the reinforcing element. The reinforcing elements may be arched and may include an outer encircling strip and a central plate, which are each connected to the body made of plastic. The reinforcing element rests on a bearing surface on the manhole, sewer access or drainage channel when the manhole, sewer access or drainage channel is closed by means of the manhole cover. The body made of plastic includes ribs, which extend perpendicularly or at an angle of more than 45 to the surface surrounding the manhole cover, sewer access or drainage channel when the manhole, sewer or drainage channel is closed.