Cable conduit with integrated sensors

Abstract

A cable conduit comprises at least one cable, a tube, which accommodates the cable in an interior space and a sensor for sensing an environmental condition in the interior space of the tube.

Claims

1. A cable conduit, comprising: at least one cable for transmitting at least one of electrical power and data, wherein the cable comprises one or more wires, which are enclosed in a plastics cover; a tube, which accommodates the cable in an interior space; a sensor for sensing an environmental condition in the interior space, the sensor being at least one of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and the environmental condition being at least one of a temperature and/or a humidity; an actuator for changing the environmental condition being at least one of the temperature and the humidity in the interior space by actively controlling an atmosphere inside the tube, wherein the actuator is at least one of a ventilator, a heater, a cooler and a flap.

2. The cable conduit of claim 1, further comprising: a control device for receiving measurement values from the sensor and for sending control commands to the actuator.

3. The cable conduit of claim 1, wherein the cable is a power line.

4. The cable conduit of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a power line transmission device for sending measurement values via the cable; wherein the actuator comprises an additional power line transmission device for receiving control commands via the cable.

5. The cable conduit of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a wireless sender for sending measurement values; wherein the actuator comprises a wireless receiver for receiving control commands.

6. The cable conduit of claim 1, further comprising: an energy harvesting device for supplying the sensor with electrical energy; and/or wherein the sensor comprises an RFID tag for supplying the sensor with electrical energy and/or for sending measurement values.

7. The cable conduit of claim 1, wherein the sensor is supplied with electrical energy from a wire accommodated in the tube.

8. The cable conduit of claim 1, wherein the sensor is supplied from the cable with electrical energy.

9. The cable conduit of claim 1, further comprising: a fitting attached to an end of the tube; wherein the actuator is mounted to the fitting.

10. The cable conduit of claim 1, further comprising: a T-connection interconnected into the tube, wherein the cable is guided through the T-connection; wherein the actuator is mounted to the T-connection.

11. The cable conduit of claim 1, wherein the actuator is directly mounted to the tube.

12. The cable conduit of claim 1, wherein the sensor is at least one of: a temperature sensor; a humidity sensor.

13. A method for adapting an environmental condition in a cable conduit by actively controlling an atmosphere inside the tube, the method comprising: providing at least one cable for transmitting at least one of electrical power and data, wherein the cable comprises one or more wires, which are enclosed in a plastics cover and the at least one cable accommodated in an interior space of a tube; providing a sensor for sensing the environmental condition in the interior space, the sensor being at least one of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and the environmental condition being a temperature and/or a humidity; providing an actuator for changing the environmental condition in the interior space by actively controlling the atmosphere inside the tube, wherein the actuator is at least one of a ventilator, a heater, a cooler and a flap; sensing the environmental condition being at least one of the temperature and the humidity in the interior space with the sensor; sending measurement values of the environmental condition being at least one of the temperature and the humidity to a control device; evaluating the measurement values with the control device and determining, whether the environmental condition being at least one of the temperature and the humidity has to be changed; generating and sending control commands to the actuator with the control device; changing the environmental condition being at least one of the temperature and the humidity with the actuator based on the control commands by actively controlling the atmosphere inside the tube.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cable conduit comprises a plurality of sensors and the control device receives measurement values from the plurality of sensors; wherein the measurement values are evaluated to determine a location of a defect of the cable conduit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 schematically shows a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a method for adapting an environmental condition in a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a part of a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the part of the cable conduit of FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a part of a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(12) FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the part of the cable conduit of FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a cable conduit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(15) The reference symbols used in the drawings, and their meanings, are listed in summary form in the list of reference symbols. In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(16) FIG. 1 shows a cable conduit 10, which comprises a tube 12 and two fittings 14, which are provided at ends of the tube 12. Several tubes 12 may be interconnected with each other via fittings 14 to form a longer cable conduit 10. The fittings 14 also may be used for connecting the cable conduit 10 to an electrical cabinet.

(17) The tube 12 and the fittings 14 have an interior space 16 through which a cable 18 is guided. It has to be understood, that a plurality of cables 18, such as power lines, electric data transmission lines, fibre optics lines, etc. may be accommodated in the interior space 16.

(18) One fitting 14 is provided with a sensor 20, which is adapted for sensing an environmental condition in the interior space 16 of the cable 18. For example, the sensor 20 may be a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor.

(19) As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 20 may comprise a wireless sender/receiver 22 for data transmission to a control device 24, which also may have such a wireless sender/receiver 22. Measurement values from the sensor 20 may be sent to the control device 24, which may evaluate the measurement values and may determine the environmental condition in the cable conduit 10, such as temperature, humidity, etc.

(20) As shown in the FIG. 1, the sensor 20 may be powered by a power line and/or wire 26, which connects the sensor 20 with a power source 28, such as a battery or generator. The line 26 also may be guided at least partially through the cable conduit 10, in particular through the tube 12 and/or a fitting 14.

(21) It may be that the power source 28 is connected to the cable 18 and is adapted for converting an electrical current in the cable 18 into a current directly supplyable to the sensor 20.

(22) FIG. 2 shows that the sensor 20 may be directly attached to the tube 12. In FIG. 2, the sensor 20 comprises an energy harvesting device 30, such as a solar panel, for supplying the sensor 20 with electrical energy.

(23) In FIG. 2, the data transmission between the sensor 20 and the control device 24 may be performed wired via a data transmission wire and/or line 32. The line 32 may be at least partially guided through the cable conduit 10, in particular through the tube 12 and/or a fitting 14.

(24) FIG. 3 shows a cable conduit 10 with three sensors 20. Furthermore, the cable conduit 10 of FIG. 3 comprises an actuator 34 for changing the environmental condition in the interior space 16. For example, the actuator 34 is a ventilator, a heater, a cooler, an automatically openable and closable flap, etc. In general, a cable conduit 10 may comprise a plurality of sensors 20 at different positions and/or a plurality of actuators 34 at different locations.

(25) In FIG. 3, two of the sensors 20 are integrated into the fittings 14. The actuator 34 is mounted to one of the fittings 14. Furthermore, a third sensor 20 is directly attached to the tube 12.

(26) In FIG. 3, each of the sensors 20 comprises a power line transmission device 36 for sending measurement values via the cable 18 and/or for data transmission to a control device 24.

(27) Also the actuator 34 may comprise such a power line transmission device 36 for receiving control commands via the cable 18 and/or for data transmission to a control device 24. Alternatively, the actuator 34 may comprise a wireless sender/receiver 22 for data transmission to a control device 24.

(28) In FIG. 3, the control device 24 is also integrated in the fitting 14, in which the sensor 20 is integrated and to which the actuator 34 is mounted. The power line transmission device 36 may be integrated into the control device 24. The control device 24 may perform data communication with the sensor 20 and the actuator 34 via a line. The sensors 20 remote from the fitting may transmit their data via the cable 18, via an additional data transmission line and/or wireless.

(29) The energy supply of the sensors 20 and/or the actuator 34 may be performed as described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the actuator 34 may be supplied by an energy harvesting device, a battery, a power source, etc.

(30) FIG. 4 shows a T-connection 38 interconnected into the tube 12. The cable 18 is also guided through the T-connection 38. A sensor and/or actuator device 40, such as a sensor and/or actuator box, is mounted to the T-connection 38. The device 40 may accommodate a sensor 20 and/or an actuator 34.

(31) FIG. 5 shows that the actuator 34 may be directly mounted to the tube 12. All the sensors 20 and the actuator 34 may communicate via wireless sender/receivers 22 with a control device 24, which may determine an environment condition in the cable conduit 10 from the measurement data of the sensors 20 and may change the environment condition via the actuator 34.

(32) It has to be noted that the types of power supply, data transmission and/or location of sensors 20 and actuators 34 within the cable conduit 10, as shown with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5 may be exchanged and/or mixed with each other. For example, it may be possible that some of the sensors 20 and/or actuators 34 are supplied via a line 26, while other sensors 20 and/or actuators are supplied by energy harvesting devices 30. Furthermore, it may be that some of the sensors 20 and/or actuators 34 perform wired data transmission, while other sensors 20 and/or actuators 34 perform wireless data transmission, etc.

(33) FIG. 6 shows a method for adapting an environmental condition in a cable conduit 10, for example such as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

(34) In step S10, the sensors 20 sense an environmental condition, such as temperature, humidity, etc., in the interior space 16 and send the measurement data to the control device 24. The control device 24 may be a part of a control and/or network system of a facility, in which the cable conduit is employed. The control device 24 may be a server connected via Internet and/or optionally via a gateway with the sensors 20 and/or actuators 34.

(35) In step S12, the control device 24 determines the environmental condition in the cable conduit 10 from the measurement data.

(36) It may be that environmental conditions are determined for different sections of the cable conduit 12.

(37) It also may be that the measurement data is evaluated to determine a location of a defect of the cable conduit 10. A section of the cable conduit 10, where the environmental condition differs more than a threshold from a desired environmental condition, may be determined as a defect section. For example, a section, where the temperature is much too high or the humidity is much too high may have a hole, where hot air and/or water may get in the interior space 16.

(38) In step S14, the control device 24 determines, whether the environmental condition has to be changed. This may be the case, when the environmental condition, such as temperature and/or humidity, is higher and/or lower than a threshold.

(39) The control device 24 may decide, whether in specific sections the environmental condition has to be changed and may determine actuators 34, which may be used, and may send control commands to these actuators 34.

(40) In step S16, the one or more actuators 34 receiving the control commands change the environment condition. For example, a cooler may cool the air in the cable conduit 10 and/or a ventilator may blow air of lower humidity and/or lower temperature into the cable conduit 10.

(41) FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the flow of air in the cable conduit 10 may have different directions. The flow direction may be chosen according to a desired change of the environmental condition. For example, cooler air from one end of the cable conduit 10 may be blown to an end with hotter air, and vice versa.

(42) The following FIGS. 7 to 13 show embodiments of parts of a cable conduit 10 and how sensors 20 and/or actuators 34 may be integrated into a cable conduit 10.

(43) FIG. 7 shows a cable conduit 10 with a tube 12 that is one-piece and/or that has a round cross-section. Other types of tubes 12, i.e. tubes made of two or more parts and/or other shape also may be used. Furthermore, a cable 18 is shown schematically, which is accommodated in the interior space 16 of the tube 12. In the following figures, the cable 18 is omitted.

(44) A sensor 20 for sensing an environmental condition in the interior space 16 is provided in the tube 12. The sensor 20 may be a sensor strip, which may be integrated in the material of the tube 12 or may be laid into the tube 12.

(45) The sensor 20 comprises a wireless sender/receiver 22 for sending measurement data to an outside of the tube 12. The tube 12 may be made of plastics and/or may be permeable for radio signals.

(46) FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further embodiment with a sensor device 20 that is mounted directly on the tube 12. The sensor device 42 surrounds the tube and/or may comprise at least two parts 44 to be mounted to the tube 12 in a direction orthogonal to an extension direction of the tube 12. In other words, the sensor device 42 may be mounted to the tube 12 after the cable 18 has been put into the tube 12 and/or fittings 14 have been attached to the tube 12.

(47) It also may be that the sensor device 42 is flexible. For example, the sensor device 42 may be made of rubber and/or may have a slit to be mounted over the tube 12.

(48) The sensor device 42 has a cavity 46, which is arranged outside of the interior space 16 of the tube 12 and which is in fluid exchange with the interior space 16 of the tube 12. The tube 12 has an opening 48 for interconnecting the interior space 16 with the cavity 46 in the sensor device 42. Such an opening 48 may be made after the cable 18 has been laid into the tube 12 for retrofitting the sensor device 42 on the tube 12.

(49) A sensor 20 is positioned inside the cavity 46. The sensor device 42 furthermore may provide an electrical interconnection 50 for electrically interconnecting the sensor 20 with an outside of the tube 12. The electrical interconnection 50 may comprise some or more conductors, which run from the cavity 46 to an outside of the sensor device 42. For example, the electrical interconnection 50 may be cast into a housing of the sensor device 42.

(50) FIGS. 10 and 11 show a further embodiment with a sensor 20 that is integrated into a fitting 14 or at least arranged inside the fitting 14. The fitting 14 is attached to an end of the tube 12 and is connected to a further fitting 52. The fittings 14, 52 may be plugged and/or screwed into each other and/or a sealing ring 54 for sealing the interconnection between the fittings 14, 52 may be provided between them. It also may be that the fitting 14 has a threading 58 to which the further fitting 52 is screwed.

(51) The sensor 20 is positioned inside the fitting 14 and connected via the sealing ring 54 with electrical components, such as an energy harvesting device 30, outside of the tube 12. The sealing ring 54 comprises an electrical interconnection 50, which may be an electrical line or wires provided in the material of the sealing ring 54.

(52) The threading 58 may have an opening or gap, through which the electrical interconnection 50 is guided.

(53) It also may be that the sensor 20 is positioned inside the interior space 16 of the tube 12 and connected via the electrical interconnection 50 with components, such as an energy harvesting device 30 at an outside of the tube 12.

(54) FIG. 12 shows a cable conduit 10, where a sensor and/or actuator device 40 is connected via a T-connection 38. The T-connection 38 is interconnected into the tube 12 and the cable 18 is guided through the T-connection 38. The T-connection 38 may comprises two parts 60, which are connected to the tube 12, such that the cable 18 is accommodated between them and/or that the T-connection 38 can be retrofitted to the tube 12 without removing the cable 18.

(55) The sensor and/or actuator device 40 is connected via a tube 62 to the T-connection 38 and provides a cavity 46 in fluid exchange with the interior space 16 of the tube 12. In the cavity a sensor 20 and/or an actuator 34 may be provided.

(56) FIG. 13 shows a cable conduit 10, which comprises a tube 12 that is connected via fittings 14 to housings 64 of further devices, such as electrical cabinets. Each of the fittings 14 provides a cavity 46, in which a sensor 20 may be positioned. For retrofitting the cable conduit 10 with a sensor 20, a fitting without a sensor 20 may be replaced with a fitting 14, in which a sensor is integrated.

(57) It has to be noted that the types of power supply and data transmission as described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5 may be applied to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 13.

(58) While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practising the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or controller or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(59) 10 cable conduit 12 tube 14 fitting 16 interior space 18 cable 20 sensor 22 wireless sender/receiver 24 control device 26 power line 28 power source 30 energy harvesting device 32 data transmission line 34 actuator 36 power line transmission device 38 T-connection 40 sensor and/or actuator device 42 sensor device 44 part of sensor device 46 cavity 48 opening 50 electrical interconnection 52 further fitting 54 sealing ring 58 threading 60 part of T-connection 62 tube 64 housing