Traceable Optical Fiber Cable with Embedded Light Emitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed network environments, identifying and tracing optical communication cables within large groups or bundles is challenging due to their small diameter and the complexity of cable interconnections, often requiring labor-intensive manual tracing and high-powered illuminating systems.
Innovation Solution
A traceable optical communication cable system featuring an elongate light emitting element, such as a light diffusing optical fiber or electroluminescent wire, embedded within the cable, which emits light along its length and is visible through strategically placed windows, combined with a light filtering viewing device to enhance visibility, allowing for easy identification and tracing without high-powered illuminating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual tracing methods are used to identify cables in large groups, then identification accuracy can be maintained, but labor time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly performs self-identification through the embedded light-emitting element that automatically emits light when activated at one end, allowing the cable to trace its own path without requiring manual following by operators. The light serves as a self-generated signal that guides identification along the entire cable length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracing operations with an optical signaling system. Instead of physically following the cable through bundles, operators use a light source to activate the embedded element, which then emits visible light along the cable's path, substituting mechanical search efforts with optical detection.
2Illumination intensity
If high-powered illuminating systems are used to make cables visible, then cable visibility improves, but system complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of illuminating the entire cable assembly with high-powered external lights, the patent embeds a low-power light-emitting element directly within the cable that emits light only at the location where activation signal is received. This localized light emission provides sufficient visibility for tracing without requiring high overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded light-emitting element acts as an intermediary between the external light source and the cable structure itself. When activated by external light or electrical signal, it converts this input into visible light emission along the cable, serving as a low-power mediator that amplifies visibility without requiring direct high-power illumination of the entire cable bundle.
3Reliability
If the cable body is made fully opaque for fire safety, then fire resistance improves, but light transmission from the embedded element is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The cable body is segmented into different material zones: fire-resistant opaque sections provide structural fire protection, while strategically positioned transparent or translucent windows allow light from the embedded element to pass through to the exterior. This segmentation enables both fire safety and light visibility functions to coexist in different parts of the same cable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cable body have different optical properties tailored to their specific functions. The majority of the cable maintains fire-resistant opaque material, while specific localized regions incorporate transparent windows that permit light transmission. This local differentiation allows the cable to simultaneously achieve fire safety and effective light emission visibility.
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
Facilitates easy identification and tracing of optical communication cables by emitting light along their length, reducing the need for high-powered tracing systems and enhancing visibility in bright environments, enabling efficient cable management and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate light emitting element extending along at least a portion of the length of the cable body configured to emit light radially outward from the cable body
Implementation Method 2
a viewing device having a light filtering element configured to pass light within the wavelength length range through the light filtering element and to block at least a portion of light having wavelengths outside of the wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for tracing an optical communication cable and related traceable fiber optic cable are provided. The system includes a traceable optical communication cable that includes an elongate light emitting element extending along at least a portion of the length of the cable body configured to emit light radially outward from the cable body, and the light emitted from the light emitting element has a wavelength range. The cable body includes a plurality of spaced light transmitting windows separated from each other by a plurality of opaque fire-resistant sections. The system includes a viewing device having a light filtering element configured to pass light within the wavelength length range through the light filtering element and to block at least a portion of light having wavelengths outside of the wavelength range.