Traceable Fiber With Slotted Light Pipe for Data Center Cable Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Cable management in data centers is complicated due to the complexity and length of fiber optics cables, making it time-consuming and tedious for technicians to trace failed connections without interrupting data communication.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a traceable fiber using light pipes at fan-out kits, which allows light to be propagated through the cable without interrupting data communication, enabling omnidirectional emission to facilitate easy tracing of cables without unplugging data fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If technicians manually trace cables by following physical cables from failure ports, then they can locate failed connections, but the process becomes time-consuming and tedious due to cable complexity and length

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A separate tracing fiber is introduced as an intermediary element that runs alongside data fibers but serves a different function. This tracing fiber carries light signals to indicate cable routing, while data fibers handle data transmission. The tracing fiber acts as a mediator that enables cable identification without interfering with data communication operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual cable tracing method with an optical signaling system. Instead of physically following cables through complex routing, technicians use light pipes and tracing fibers to optically mark cable paths. The light-based tracing system substitutes the tedious mechanical search process with a simple visual light-following task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If technicians unplug data cables to perform tracing, then they can identify cable routes more easily, but data communication is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable system is segmented into two independent functional components: data fibers for data transmission and a separate tracing fiber for cable identification. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling tracing operations without affecting data communication integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tracing fiber serves as an intermediary element that enables cable tracing functionality without requiring disconnection of data fibers. By providing a separate channel for tracing operations, the system eliminates the need to interrupt data communication while maintaining ease of cable identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If light is propagated through the cable for tracing purposes, then cable routing becomes visible, but data communication may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is segmented into dedicated tracing fibers and data fibers. Tracing fibers carry light signals for cable identification, while data fibers handle data transmission. This functional segmentation ensures that light propagation for tracing purposes does not interfere with data communication stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the fiber optic cable system are assigned different functional qualities: tracing fibers are optimized for light transmission and visibility, while data fibers are optimized for data signal transmission. This local differentiation of functional qualities allows simultaneous operation of tracing and data communication without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 efficient tracing of cables within data centers without disrupting data transmission, reducing the time and effort required for technicians to locate failed connections, and improving overall cable management efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The first light pipe may focus the light by refraction into the tracing fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The slot features of the second light pipe may be configured to scatter the light to provide omnidirectional emission of the light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS11333815B1Traceable fiber using slotted light pipe at fan-out kit of fiber optics cable

Publication Date: 2022.05.17

AI summary

An apparatus including a first light pipe, a second light pipe and a tracing fiber. The first light pipe may comprise slot features and may be configured to receive light. The second light pipe may comprise the slot features and may be configured to emit the light. The tracing fiber may be configured to propagate the light from the first light pipe to the second light pipe. The first light pipe may focus the light by refraction into the tracing fiber. The slot features of the second light pipe may be configured to scatter the light to provide omnidirectional emission of the light. The tracing fiber may be bundled with one or more data carrying lines in a cable. Each of the data carrying lines may be configured to enable a communication of data. The tracing fiber may be configured to propagate the light without interrupting the communication of data.