Cable tracing in a datacenter

• US 9,136,682 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2013
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte., Ltd. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Cudak, Gary D., Hardee, Christopher J., Roberts, Adam, Suffern, Edward S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALAM, MIRZA F
• Application Number:
  US13/886,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20140327538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 340/584, 340/581, 324/522, 324/713, 324/67, 324/533, 324/539, 324/543, 324/537, 324/233, 324/335, 324/508, 324/609
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/16 Measuring impedance of element or network through which a current is passing from another source, e.g. cable, power line
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/385 in modular floors, e.g. access floors

Abstract

A cable detection system may be implemented in a datacenter to locate the path of a cable. The cable detection system includes a signal generator and driver circuit having its output in communication with a transformer, wherein the transformer has a first output coupled to a cable shield of an elongated cable and a second output coupled to a dedicated transmission wire extending lengthwise with the cable and exterior to the cable shield. The cable detection system further includes a plurality of detection circuits, wherein each detection circuit includes an electromagnetically-powered receiver coupled to a light emitting diode, and wherein radio frequency signals emitted from the transmission wire activate the light emitting diodes of the detection circuits within a detection distance of the cable.

Claims

1. A cable detection system, comprising:

a radio frequency signal generator and driver circuit having its output in communication with a transformer, wherein the transformer has a first output coupled to a cable shield of an elongated cable and a second output coupled to a dedicated transmission wire extending lengthwise with the cable and exterior to the cable shield; and

a plurality of detection circuits secured to structural members selected from an outwardly facing surface of floor tiles, an outwardly facing surface of a cable tray, an outwardly facing surface of a computer rack, and combinations thereof, wherein each detection circuit includes an electromagnetically-powered receiver coupled to a light emitting diode, and wherein radio frequency signals emitted from the transmission wire activate the light emitting diodes of detection circuits within a detection distance of the cable.

2. The cable detection system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of detection circuits are spaced-apart in a datacenter.

3. The cable detection system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diodes are activated by a predetermined frequency.

4. The cable detection system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diodes are activated by a plurality of frequencies, and wherein each of the plurality of frequencies causes the light emitting diode to generate a different colors of light.

5. The cable detection system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of detection circuits includes a first plurality of detection circuits responsive to a first frequency and a second plurality of detection circuits responsive to a second frequency.

6. The cable detection system of claim 5, wherein the first plurality of detection circuits have light emitting diodes that generate a first color of light and the second plurality of detection circuits have light emitting diodes that generate a second color of light.

7. The cable detection system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator and driver circuit is included in a device to which the cable is selectively connected.

8. The cable detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery;

wherein the signal generator and driver circuit is secured to the cable and electronically connected to the battery for selectively powering the signal generator and driver circuit.

9. The cable detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a handheld device including a power source for selectively powering the signal generator and driver circuit to cause the transmission wire to emit the radio frequency signals.

10. The cable detection system of claim 9, wherein the signal generator and driver circuit is part of the handheld device.