A machine room cable routing fireproof monitoring device

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of cable safety monitoring technology, and in particular to a fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing. It includes a computer room cable routing support structure, several distributed sensing units arranged along the support structure, a central monitoring unit, local circuit breaking mechanisms corresponding to each distributed sensing unit, and a redundant communication bus connected to the distributed sensing units. Each distributed sensing unit includes a temperature sensor interface, a non-contact electromagnetic detection module, a hardware threshold comparison circuit, an isolated drive output port, and an independent low-voltage backup power supply. The signal input terminal of the hardware threshold comparison circuit is connected to the output terminal of the pulse shaping front-end circuit. The hardware threshold comparison circuit includes a pulse peak detection circuit, a frequency discrimination circuit, and a threshold comparator connected in sequence. This utility model achieves rapid and highly reliable local isolation of early electrical faults in computer room cables through a distributed hardware decision-making and rapid execution mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cable safety monitoring technology, and in particular to a fire prevention monitoring device for cable routing in computer rooms. Background Technology

[0002] In critical power facilities such as data centers and server rooms, densely laid cables are the lifeline of energy transmission. Loose connections and aging insulation can lead to early arcing faults (especially series arcing) and partial discharges, posing significant potential safety hazards. These faults initially have low energy, making them difficult to detect with traditional fire-fighting devices that rely on thermal melting or smoke concentration as triggering conditions. However, they can continuously generate high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and rapidly deteriorate, ultimately leading to fires or power outages.

[0003] In existing technologies, monitoring of such electrical hazards mostly employs microprocessor-based digital monitoring solutions. These solutions typically collect current, temperature, or electromagnetic signals through sensors, perform analog-to-digital conversion, and then rely on built-in software programs for algorithm analysis and threshold judgment. Finally, a central processing unit decides whether to issue an alarm or trip command.

[0004] However, this architecture has inherent flaws: First, the software scanning, data processing, and communication transmission links introduce significant delays, making the system response time often in the hundreds of milliseconds or even seconds, making it difficult to instantly cut off sudden arcs that develop in milliseconds; Second, the system's reliability is deeply coupled with the stable operation of the main control chip and the smooth operation of the communication network. In extreme cases, if the system power supply fails or the program crashes, the protection function will fail.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to further improve a fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the existing defects and provide a fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing. Through a distributed hardware decision-making and rapid execution mechanism, it can achieve rapid and highly reliable local isolation of early electrical faults in computer room cables, and can effectively solve the problems in the background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing, comprising a computer room cable routing support structure, at least one distributed sensing unit arranged along the computer room cable routing support structure, a central monitoring unit, a local circuit breaker mechanism configured corresponding to each distributed sensing unit, and a redundant communication bus.

[0008] The distributed sensing unit includes a temperature sensor interface, a non-contact electromagnetic detection module, a hardware threshold comparison circuit, an isolated drive output port, and an independent low-voltage backup power supply.

[0009] The non-contact electromagnetic detection module consists of a ring magnetic induction coil and a pulse shaping front-end circuit, and is used to detect high-speed electromagnetic pulses generated near the cable due to electric arc or partial discharge.

[0010] The signal input terminal of the hardware threshold comparison circuit is connected to the output terminal of the pulse shaping front-end circuit; the hardware threshold comparison circuit includes a pulse peak detection circuit, a frequency discrimination circuit and a threshold comparator connected in sequence, and the output terminal of the threshold comparator is connected to the isolation drive output port.

[0011] The isolation drive output port is directly connected to the control terminal of the local circuit breaker mechanism, which is used to trigger the central monitoring unit to perform the tripping operation before the central monitoring unit responds, thereby realizing local rapid isolation of early electrical faults in the cable.

[0012] Preferably, the non-contact electromagnetic detection module of the distributed sensing unit is installed on the inner wall of the cable routing support structure in the computer room, and maintains a non-contact distance from the cable.

[0013] Preferably, the hardware threshold comparison circuit further includes a time integration and hold circuit coupled to the threshold comparator, which is used to suppress single stray pulses and ensure that the output is triggered only under a continuous fault signal.

[0014] Preferably, the distributed sensing unit further includes a temperature sensor interface; the temperature sensor interface is used to connect to a temperature probe, its output is connected to a temperature comparator, and the output of the temperature comparator is connected to an isolation drive output port.

[0015] Preferably, the central monitoring unit includes a power management module and an event storage module;

[0016] The signal input terminal of the event storage module is connected to the communication interface of the central monitoring unit, and is used to receive and store data from the distributed sensing unit;

[0017] The communication interface of the central monitoring unit is configured to establish a communication link with the computer room security monitoring system.

[0018] Preferably, the distributed sensing unit has an independent low-voltage backup power supply, which is a supercapacitor, and its output terminal is connected to the power input terminal of the non-contact electromagnetic detection module, the hardware threshold comparison circuit, and the isolated drive output port, respectively.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0020] By using a threshold comparison circuit composed of pure hardware circuits to make parallel judgments on fault characteristics and directly drive the local circuit breaking mechanism, millisecond-level fault isolation is achieved, which is much faster than the traditional solution that relies on software polling and central processing unit. It can quickly cut off the source of arcing fire from the root.

[0021] The hardware threshold comparison circuit combines amplitude, frequency and duration for triple judgment, and adopts non-contact detection and opto-isolation design, which can effectively identify and suppress transient interference pulses, significantly reducing the risk of false alarms and malfunctions in the system.

[0022] Using supercapacitors as an independent backup power source, combined with a redundant ring network communication architecture, ensures that core monitoring and protection functions can still be reliably executed in extreme cases of main power outage or single-point communication link failure. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall architecture and layout of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the principle of the distributed sensing unit of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0025] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application can also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.

[0026] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or sets.

[0027] To keep the drawings concise, only the parts relevant to this invention are shown schematically in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in some figures, only one of the components with the same structure or function is schematically depicted, or only one is labeled. In this document, "one" not only means "only one," but can also mean "more than one."

[0028] It should also be further understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0029] Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0031] Please see Figure 1-2 This utility model provides a technical solution: a fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing, including a computer room cable routing bearing structure, at least one distributed sensing unit arranged along the computer room cable routing bearing structure, a central monitoring unit, a local circuit breaker mechanism configured corresponding to each distributed sensing unit, and a redundant communication bus.

[0032] The distributed sensing unit includes a temperature sensor interface, a non-contact electromagnetic detection module, a hardware threshold comparison circuit, an isolated drive output port, and an independent low-voltage backup power supply.

[0033] The non-contact electromagnetic detection module consists of a ring magnetic induction coil and a pulse shaping front-end circuit, and is used to detect high-speed electromagnetic pulses generated near the cable due to electric arc or partial discharge.

[0034] The signal input terminal of the hardware threshold comparison circuit is connected to the output terminal of the pulse shaping front-end circuit; the hardware threshold comparison circuit includes a pulse peak detection circuit, a frequency discrimination circuit and a threshold comparator connected in sequence, and the output terminal of the threshold comparator is connected to the isolation drive output port.

[0035] The isolation drive output port is directly connected to the control terminal of the local circuit breaker mechanism, which is used to trigger the central monitoring unit to perform the tripping operation before the central monitoring unit responds, thereby realizing local rapid isolation of early electrical faults in the cable.

[0036] Specifically, the core design concept of the computer room cable routing fire monitoring device described in this utility model lies in distributed sensing, hardware-level rapid judgment, local execution, and centralized monitoring.

[0037] During the signal sensing phase, distributed sensing units located at key nodes along the cable route monitor the cable's operating status in parallel and continuously through their non-contact electromagnetic detection modules and temperature sensor interfaces connected to temperature probes, capturing high-speed electromagnetic pulse signals and abnormal temperature rise signals that may indicate early electrical faults.

[0038] During the hardware judgment stage, the acquired raw signals, especially electromagnetic pulse signals, are sent to the hardware threshold comparison circuit. This circuit does not rely on any software program and performs a fast, purely hardware-level judgment through its internal pulse peak detection circuit, frequency discrimination circuit, time integration and hold circuit, and threshold comparator. When the amplitude, frequency, and duration of the signal simultaneously meet the preset fault characteristics, the judgment is successful.

[0039] During the rapid execution phase, once the hardware determines the fault to be true, the hardware threshold comparison circuit outputs a hardware interlock signal to the isolation drive output port. This port directly drives the trip coil of a local circuit breaker, such as a miniature circuit breaker, to complete the power-off operation of the faulty circuit within tens of milliseconds. This achieves rapid local isolation before the central monitoring unit intervenes, fundamentally cutting off the source of arcing ignition.

[0040] During the information reporting and recording phase, simultaneously with or after a rapid power outage, the distributed sensing unit uploads fault information, including event type, location, and timestamp, to the central monitoring unit via a redundant communication bus. The event storage module of the central monitoring unit records all detailed information and uploads alarm information to the upper-level security monitoring system of the computer room through its communication interface, notifying administrators.

[0041] In terms of system protection mechanisms, throughout the entire process, an independent low-voltage backup supercapacitor ensures that the sensing and power-off functions remain available in the event of a main power failure; a ring network composed of redundant communication buses ensures that the communication link remains uninterrupted in the event of a single point of failure.

[0042] Distributed sensing units are the physical basis for achieving early warning and rapid response.

[0043] The unit itself is typically encapsulated in flame-retardant plastic, such as a polycarbonate (PC) housing. Its core component—the non-contact electromagnetic detection module—is fixedly mounted to the cable routing structure in the computer room, such as the inner wall of a cable tray, using a bracket. Mounting on the inner wall allows for closer contact with the cable than on the outer wall, enabling the capture of stronger, effective signals. Simultaneously, maintaining a 5mm to 50mm non-contact distance from the cable avoids potential damage to the cable insulation from mechanical contact and effectively reduces steady-state magnetic field interference from the cable's power frequency current, allowing the module to focus more on detecting high-frequency transient pulses.

[0044] The non-contact electromagnetic detection module's ring-shaped magnetic induction coil consists of multiple turns, for example, 50-100 turns of enameled wire wound on a high-frequency magnetic core, such as manganese-zinc ferrite. Its function is to couple the high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field, typically 1MHz to 30MHz, generated around the cable due to electric arcs or partial discharges, and induce a weak pulse voltage signal.

[0045] The pulse shaping front-end circuit of a non-contact electromagnetic detection module typically consists of a high-speed operational amplifier, configured as a combination of a bandpass filter and an amplifier. Its functions are: first, to amplify the weak signal induced by the coil; second, to suppress power frequency interference and higher-frequency radio noise through bandpass filtering, extracting the effective fault electromagnetic pulse; and finally, to shape the pulse waveform to generate a digital logic pulse with steep edges for precise processing by subsequent circuits. Its output is directly connected to the signal input of a hardware threshold comparison circuit.

[0046] The pulse peak detection circuit of the hardware threshold comparator circuit consists of a high-speed diode, a capacitor, and an operational amplifier. Its function is to capture and hold the peak voltage of the shaped pulse signal, which reflects the intensity of the electromagnetic pulse.

[0047] The frequency discrimination circuit of the hardware threshold comparison circuit can be implemented using a timer logic. Its function is to count the number of pulses passing through per unit time, thereby determining the frequency of the pulse sequence. Arc faults usually manifest as a series of high-frequency pulses, while single interference pulses, such as those from switching actions, have different frequency characteristics.

[0048] The time-integration hold circuit of the hardware threshold comparator is a key design element for preventing malfunctions. It can be implemented using a resettable integrator. Its function is to judge pulse signals that meet amplitude and frequency conditions. Only when the fault signal persists for a certain period, for example, reaching a preset integration threshold, is it considered a genuine, continuous arc fault, rather than a momentary stray interference. This circuit is coupled before the threshold comparator, effectively preventing malfunctions caused by single pulses due to relay opening / closing, electrostatic discharge, etc.

[0049] The threshold comparator in a hardware threshold comparison circuit typically uses a voltage comparator chip with hysteresis, such as the LM393. Its function is to receive the final judgment signal from the aforementioned circuit and compare it with a reference threshold voltage set by a precision potentiometer. When the input signal exceeds the threshold, the comparator output level flips, generating a definite hardware interlock signal. This output is directly connected to the isolated drive output port.

[0050] The isolation drive output port typically contains an optocoupler relay, which functions to provide electrical isolation and power drive. The optocoupler's internal LED is driven by the output of a threshold comparator, while its internal phototransistor controls a current loop sufficient to drive the local circuit breaker control terminal, such as the trip coil. Completely isolating the sensitive monitoring circuitry from the circuit breaker drive circuit, which may be subject to surges and high voltages, improves the system's anti-interference capability and safety.

[0051] Temperature sensor interfaces are typically standardized connectors, such as aviation plugs, for connecting temperature probes, such as the DS18B20. Fiber optic temperature probes are the preferred option due to their inherent safety and strong resistance to electromagnetic interference.

[0052] The temperature comparator is an independent voltage comparator channel. Its input receives a signal from the temperature sensor and compares it with a set upper temperature limit, such as 90°C. When the temperature exceeds the limit, it also outputs a signal to the isolated drive output port, triggering a power-off. This combination of arcing and temperature monitoring provides redundant fire protection, capable of handling overheating faults of various causes.

[0053] The event storage module of the central monitoring unit is typically a non-volatile memory, such as a FLASH chip and its control circuitry. Its function is to receive uploaded data from each distributed sensing unit via a dual-redundant communication interface, accurately timestamp each record, and save it locally. Recorded information includes the sensing unit ID, event type (arc / overheating), event level, trigger time, and subsequent power-off operation records. This provides a complete data chain for accident tracing and system operation analysis.

[0054] The communication interface of the central monitoring unit is configured to establish a communication link with the computer room security monitoring system, which can be achieved through Ethernet or RS485 modules. Its usage involves integrating the alarm and status information of this device into the existing environmental monitoring system in the computer room, achieving unified platform management.

[0055] The redundant communication bus preferably uses twisted-pair shielded cable, such as CAT5e network cable. Opto-isolation interfaces are configured at both ends of the line, with the central monitoring unit and each sensing unit connected in series via these interfaces to form a closed ring network. Data packets are transmitted bidirectionally within the ring network. The working principle is that if a line interruption occurs at any point in the ring network, data packets will automatically reroute in the other direction, ensuring uninterrupted communication. The opto-isolation interfaces effectively cut off ground loops and common-mode voltage interference, while the twisted-pair shielded cable suppresses electromagnetic interference during transmission. This significantly improves the reliability of system communication and meets the high availability requirements of critical facilities in the data center.

[0056] The independent low-voltage backup power supply uses a supercapacitor, which is connected in parallel with the main power supply circuit of the distributed sensing unit. When the main power supply is normal, the main power supply charges the supercapacitor; when the main power supply is interrupted, the supercapacitor seamlessly switches to supply power.

[0057] The output of the independent low-voltage backup power supply is connected to the power input of the non-contact electromagnetic detection module, the hardware threshold comparison circuit, and the isolated drive output port, ensuring that these core functional circuits can continue to operate normally for a period of time, typically several seconds to tens of seconds, after the main power supply fails. Compared to batteries, supercapacitors have a longer cycle life, faster charging speed, and are maintenance-free, making them particularly suitable for backup scenarios involving short-term, high-current pulse discharges. This ensures that reliable power outage protection and alarm information transmission can be completed at least once under any circumstances.

[0058] The working principle and application principle of this utility model are as follows:

[0059] Through a distributed, hardware-level rapid response mechanism, early electrical faults in computer room cables can be detected and isolated on-site in real time to prevent problems before they occur.

[0060] Its workflow follows the core principles of distributed sensing, rapid hardware-level judgment, local execution, and centralized monitoring. First, in the signal sensing stage, distributed sensing units deployed along the cable route monitor abnormal electromagnetic pulses and temperature rise signals of the cable in parallel using non-contact electromagnetic detection modules and temperature sensors. The electromagnetic pulses are coupled by a ring-shaped magnetic induction coil and amplified, filtered, and shaped by a pulse shaping front-end circuit, transforming them into clear pulse signals.

[0061] The system then proceeds to the crucial hardware judgment stage. The pulse signal is fed into a threshold comparison circuit constructed entirely of hardware, where it undergoes comprehensive analysis via pulse peak detection, frequency discrimination, and time integration and hold circuits. This design ensures that a pulse is only considered a genuine fault when its amplitude, frequency, and duration simultaneously meet a preset fault model. This multi-condition judgment mechanism effectively filters out transient interference, significantly reducing the risk of erroneous operation.

[0062] During the rapid execution phase, once the condition is confirmed as true, the hardware comparison circuit will directly trigger the nearest installed circuit breaker to trip within tens of milliseconds via the isolation drive output port. This local rapid isolation mechanism does not rely on the software judgment and instructions of the central monitoring unit, achieving very early physical power outage in the nascent stage of a fire, fundamentally cutting off the power supply to faulty arcs or overheated lines.

[0063] Finally, during the information reporting and recording phase, while the sensing unit is in operation, it uploads timestamped fault information to the central monitoring unit via a redundant communication ring network composed of twisted-pair shielded cables with opto-isolated interfaces. The central monitoring unit records the event and can link with the superior monitoring system. To ensure reliability in extreme situations such as mains power outages, each sensing unit uses a supercapacitor as a backup power source, ensuring that it can still complete at least one complete detection and tripping operation after a power failure.

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing, characterized in that: It includes a cable routing support structure for the computer room, at least one distributed sensing unit along the cable routing support structure for the computer room, a central monitoring unit, local circuit breaking mechanisms corresponding to each distributed sensing unit, and a redundant communication bus. The distributed sensing unit includes a temperature sensor interface, a non-contact electromagnetic detection module, a hardware threshold comparison circuit, an isolated drive output port, and an independent low-voltage backup power supply. The non-contact electromagnetic detection module consists of a ring magnetic induction coil and a pulse shaping front-end circuit, and is used to detect high-speed electromagnetic pulses generated near the cable due to electric arc or partial discharge. The signal input terminal of the hardware threshold comparison circuit is connected to the output terminal of the pulse shaping front-end circuit; the hardware threshold comparison circuit includes a pulse peak detection circuit, a frequency discrimination circuit and a threshold comparator connected in sequence, and the output terminal of the threshold comparator is connected to the isolation drive output port. The isolation drive output port is directly connected to the control terminal of the local circuit breaker mechanism, which is used to trigger the central monitoring unit to perform the tripping operation before the central monitoring unit responds, thereby realizing local rapid isolation of early electrical faults in the cable.

2. The cable routing fire prevention monitoring device for a machine room according to claim 1, characterized in that: The non-contact electromagnetic detection module of the distributed sensing unit is installed on the inner wall of the cable routing support structure in the computer room, and maintains a non-contact distance from the cable.

3. The fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hardware threshold comparison circuit also includes a time integration and hold circuit, which is coupled to the threshold comparator to suppress single stray pulses and ensure that the output is triggered only under a continuous fault signal.

4. The cable routing fire prevention monitoring device for a machine room according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature sensor interface is used to connect to the temperature probe, and its output is connected to the temperature comparator. The output of the temperature comparator is connected to the isolation drive output port.

5. A fire prevention monitoring device for computer room cable routing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central monitoring unit includes a power management module and an event storage module; The signal input terminal of the event storage module is connected to the communication interface of the central monitoring unit, and is used to receive and store data acquired from the distributed sensing unit; The communication interface of the central monitoring unit is configured to establish a communication link with the computer room security monitoring system.

6. The cable routing fire prevention monitoring device for a machine room according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distributed sensing unit is equipped with an independent low-voltage backup power supply, which is a supercapacitor. Its output terminal is connected to the power input terminal of the non-contact electromagnetic detection module, the hardware threshold comparison circuit, and the isolated drive output port, respectively.

7. The cable routing fireproof monitoring device for a machine room according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The redundant communication bus forms a ring network; the communication interfaces of the central monitoring unit and each distributed sensing unit are all configured as opto-isolated interfaces, and the redundant communication bus connects the opto-isolated interfaces of each node in series to form a closed loop of bidirectional communication path.

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