Interface Module for Combined Power, Data, and Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems are limited in range and power capacity, requiring local power sources for high-power devices, and lack integrated thermal management, leading to complex and costly cooling solutions, especially in remote or extreme environments.
Innovation Solution
A PoE+F+C system that delivers high-power energy, fiber-optic data, and cooling within a single cable using optical fibers, electrical wires, and coolant tubes, with an interface module that includes sensors and control systems for monitoring and managing power, data, and cooling, enabling efficient power delivery and thermal management over long distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power delivery capacity is increased in PoE systems, then more power can be delivered to remote devices, but cooling requirements increase and cable loss becomes more significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery, data transmission, and cooling delivery into a single integrated cable system. The cable includes power conductors for electrical power transmission, optical fibers for data communication, and coolant channels for thermal management. This merging allows high-power delivery to remote devices while simultaneously providing cooling to offset the increased cable loss and thermal generation, resolving the contradiction between higher power capacity and energy loss.
2Length of stationary object
If power is supplied through a local power source for greater distance, then range is extended, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cable system that simultaneously performs multiple functions: delivering electrical power over extended distances, transmitting data via optical fibers, and providing cooling through integrated coolant channels. This multi-functional cable eliminates the need for separate local power sources, data connections, and cooling systems at remote locations, thereby extending range while reducing overall system complexity and installation cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional PoE systems are used, then installation is simple, but thermal management is inadequate for high-power devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges conventional PoE simplicity with advanced thermal management by integrating coolant channels directly into the cable structure. The cable maintains the easy installation characteristics of conventional PoE while adding cooling capability through embedded fluid passages that deliver coolant from a central cooling source to remote high-power devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and thermal management adequacy.
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
Enables the placement of high-power devices in remote or extreme environments with simplified installation and operation, reducing costs and complexity by integrating power, data, and cooling in a single cable, while ensuring safe and efficient energy and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
fiber-optic data... using optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
high-power energy... using electrical wires
Implementation Method 3
cooling... using coolant tubes... ensuring safe and efficient energy and thermal management
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an interface module for coupling a cable delivering combined power, data, and cooling to a network device. The interface module includes an electrical interface for receiving power for powering the network device, an optical transceiver for receiving optical communications signals, a fluid interface for receiving coolant, and sensors for monitoring the power and cooling and providing information to a central network device delivering the combined power, data, and cooling.