Composite Cable for Power, Data, and Cooling Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems are limited in power delivery capacity and range, inadequate for high-powered devices, and rely on traditional convection cooling methods which may not suffice for devices with high thermal density or in extreme environments.
Innovation Solution
The PoE+Fiber+Cooling (PoE+F+C) system delivers high power energy, fiber-optic data, and cooling within a single cable, enabling remote location deployment of high-power devices in extreme environments by using a composite cable with optical fibers, electrical wires, and coolant tubes for simultaneous power, data, and cooling delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional PoE systems are used to deliver power over cables, then power delivery is simple and cable infrastructure is reused, but power capacity is limited and range is restricted to about 100 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery system into multiple components: a central power source, intermediate power extension devices, and end devices. Each segment can extend the overall reach by adding local power regeneration capability at intermediate points along the cable path, enabling power delivery beyond the conventional 100-meter limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate power extension devices as mediators between the central power source and remote devices. These intermediates actively regenerate and retransmit power signals, acting as repeaters that extend the effective distance of power delivery over cable infrastructure.
2Power
If power capacity is increased to meet high-powered devices, then sufficient power is available, but traditional convection cooling methods become inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a liquid cooling system where coolant flows through tubes integrated into the cable infrastructure. This hydraulic cooling method efficiently removes heat from high-power devices by circulating fluid directly across heat-generating components, providing superior cooling effectiveness compared to convection methods for high-power applications.
3Length of moving object
If fiber optic cables are used for long-distance data transmission, then data connectivity is maintained, but power delivery becomes insufficient requiring separate power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power delivery and data transmission into a single integrated cable system. The cable contains both optical fibers for data and conductors for power, allowing simultaneous delivery of both functions over the same physical infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate power sources at remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable infrastructure is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data communication medium (via optical fibers) and a power delivery medium (via integrated conductors). This universal cable system replaces the need for separate power and data connections, enabling long-distance deployment with unified infrastructure.
4Reliability
If multiple separate cables are used for power, data, and cooling, then each function is optimized independently, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power conductors, optical fibers, and cooling tubes into a single integrated cable assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate cables that need to be routed and connected, significantly simplifying installation while maintaining independent optimization of each function through dedicated components within the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified cable system provides multi-functionality by delivering power, data, and cooling through a single infrastructure. This universal cable reduces installation complexity by eliminating the need to manage multiple separate cable systems, while each function remains independently optimized through its dedicated component within the cable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies installation and operation by providing a single multi-use cable for high-power devices, enhancing their functionality and reliability in noise-sensitive and extreme temperature environments, while reducing installation complexity and total cost of ownership.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling loop for cooling electrical components of the apparatus with the coolant
Implementation Method 2
an optical interface for receiving optical communications signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cable (14) is provided for delivering power, data, and cooling between a central network device (10) and a remote device (12). The cable (14) comprises a conductor (36, 66) for delivering power, an optical fibre (37, 65) for delivering data, and coolant tubes (67) for delivering coolant. The coolant tubes (67) comprise a coolant supply tube (38a) and a coolant return tube (38b). The cable (14) also comprises an outer jacket (64) surrounding the conductor (66), the optical fibre (65), and the coolant tubes (67).