Wire Tracing System Using Unique Voltage Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire and cable tracing methods are inefficient and laborious, especially when dealing with large bundles or widely separated extremities, as they require manual identification and lack detailed information about wire purposes or intended connections.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a voltage output source and a voltage reader/data recorder with unique voltage signatures and digital memory bins to electronically tag and store information about individual wires, allowing for rapid identification and recording of detailed audio, text, or video information, enabling a single person to manage large bundles efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuity checking methodology is used to identify individual wires, then wire identification can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and laborious when dealing with large bundles or widely separated extremities
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by assigning unique voltage signatures to each wire channel in advance through the director circuit. This pre-establishment of identification codes allows for rapid wire identification at the remote end without time-consuming sequential continuity checking. Each wire is pre-tagged with its unique electrical signature, enabling immediate recognition when probed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/manual continuity checking process with an electrical field-based identification system. Instead of physically tracing or manually testing each wire for continuity, the system uses unique voltage signatures and electrical field detection to automatically identify wires, significantly reducing the time and labor required for wire identification in large bundles.
2Ease of operation
If color-coding method is used for cable identification, then identification is simple and practical, but it becomes impractical when the number of distinct wires exceeds a dozen
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the identification parameter from visual color-coding to electrical voltage signatures. By varying the voltage parameter across multiple channels in the director circuit, the system can uniquely identify a large number of wires (far exceeding a dozen) while maintaining ease of operation. The voltage reader detects these electrical parameters to provide simple wire identification regardless of bundle size.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If toner-induced audible tone methodology is used, then cable route tracing is effective, but individual wire discrimination within a bundle is limited and purpose information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the identification task into distinct voltage channels, each assigned to a specific wire. The director circuit segments the electrical output into multiple unique voltage signatures, allowing individual wire discrimination within a bundle. This segmented approach enables both route tracing and individual wire identification, overcoming the limitations of unified toner-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage signature acts as an intermediary between the wire physical presence and the identification system. Instead of directly detecting physical cable properties, the system uses voltage signatures as an intermediate carrier that encodes wire identity and purpose information. This intermediary enables comprehensive wire identification and purpose retrieval without relying solely on audible tone detection.
4Loss of information
If manual tagging and labeling is used, then wire identification information is provided, but the process is laborious and tags can be torn off or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical tagging and labeling with an electrical field-based identification system. Instead of physically attaching tags that can be torn off or lost, the invention uses voltage signatures and electrical field detection to store and retrieve wire identification information. This eliminates the need for physical tags while providing more reliable and permanent wire identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an electrical copy of wire identification information stored in data bins associated with each voltage channel. Instead of relying on physical tags, the identification data is copied and stored in the voltage reader's memory, accessible through the electrical connection. This digital copying approach provides more reliable information retention without the physical limitations of manual tagging.
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 rapid identification and recording of wire identities and purposes within large bundles, reducing labor and time, and allowing playback of information at either extremity, even when extremities are far apart.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage output source outputting a plurality of unique channel voltages through a number of channels
Implementation Method 2
a voltage reader featuring a conductive tip for contacting individual wires or cables
Data Source
AI summary
A wire tracing system includes a voltage output source having a director circuit with a plurality of output channels. Each of the output channels outputs a unique voltage signature. A voltage reader/data recorder includes a conductive probe and a data memory that is partitioned into a plurality of data bins. Each of the data bins in the voltage reader/data recorder is associated with one of the voltage signatures output via the output channels of the director circuit, and each of the data bins is configured to store information associated with each of a plurality of wires to which the output channels are respectively connectable. The system and method permit a single individual to rapidly discover the identities of individual wires and cables without having to repeatedly travel back and forth between those extremities.