Traceable end point cable assembly having a tracing waveguide

Abstract

A traceable cable assembly includes a traceable cable, a first connector at a first end of the traceable cable, and a second connector at a second end of the traceable cable assembly. The traceable cable has at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the data transmission element, and an optical fiber extending along at least a portion of the length of the traceable cable. The optical fiber includes a first end having a first bend and a second end having a second bend. The first and second bends may be equal to or less than ninety degrees so that the optical fiber facilitates identification of the second connector when a launch light is injected in the first end of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber facilitates identification of the first connector when the launch light is injected in the second end of the optical fiber.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A traceable cable assembly, comprising:
 a traceable cable, comprising:
 at least one data transmission element; 
 a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element; 
 an optical fiber extending along at least a portion of a length of the traceable cable, wherein the optical fiber comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first bend and the second end comprises a second bend; and 
   a first connector provided at a first end of the traceable cable and a second connector provided at a second end of the traceable cable;   wherein the first bend is equal to or less than ninety degrees and the second bend is equal to or less than ninety degrees;   wherein the optical fiber facilitates identification of the second connector when a launch light is injected in the first end of the optical fiber; and   wherein the optical fiber facilitates identification of the first connector when the launch light is injected in the second end of the optical fiber.   
     
     
         2 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first bend is located in the first connector and the second bend is located in the second connector. 
     
     
         3 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the optical fiber is located inside the first connector and the second end of the optical fiber is located inside the second connector. 
     
     
         4 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the optical fiber is located outside the first connector and the second end of the optical fiber is located outside the second connector. 
     
     
         5 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the optical fiber passes through the first connector and the first end of the optical fiber protrudes from the first connector. 
     
     
         6 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the optical fiber passes through the second connector and the second end of the optical fiber protrudes from the second connector. 
     
     
         7 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the optical fiber is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the first connector and the second end of the optical fiber is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the second connector. 
     
     
         8 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first end of the optical fiber is substantially flush with a side surface of the first connector and the second end of the optical fiber is substantially flush with a side surface of the second connector. 
     
     
         9 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber comprises a core and a cladding, wherein the cladding is at least partially removed at the first end and at the second end of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the optical fiber comprises a first diffusing element and the second end of the optical fiber comprises a second diffusing element. 
     
     
         11 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first diffusing element is selected from the group comprising a layer of TiO2 impregnated material, a roughened surface, a conical-shaped end, a reflective surface, a refractive surface and a parabolic-shaped end. 
     
     
         12 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the optical fiber is capable of illuminating at least a portion of the first connector when light is launched into the second end of the optical fiber, and wherein the second end of the optical fiber is capable of illuminating at least a portion of the second connector when light is launched into the first end of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         13 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a light injection tool for injecting light into a side surface of the first connector or a side surface of the second connector. 
     
     
         14 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first bend of the optical fiber is configured to allow for injection of light when the first connector is engaged in a first connector receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The traceable cable assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the second bend of the optical fiber is configured to allow for injection of light when the second connector is engaged in the second connector receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a traceable cable system, comprising:
 forming a traceable cable having a data transmission element, an optical fiber, and a jacket at least partially surrounding the data transmission element and the optical fiber so that the optical fiber extends along at least a portion of a length of the traceable cable;   forming a first bend at a first end of the optical fiber;   forming a second bend at a second end of the optical fiber, wherein the first bend is equal to or less than ninety degrees and the second bend is equal to or less than ninety degrees;   securing a first connector to a first end of the traceable cable; and   securing a second connector to a second end of the traceable cable.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the first bend of the optical fiber in the first connector and positioning the second bend of the optical fiber in the second connector. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the first end of the optical fiber in the first connector and positioning the second end of the optical fiber in the second connector. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing at least part of a cladding of the optical fiber from the first end of the optical fiber and removing at least part of the cladding of the optical fiber from the second end of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising incorporating a first light diffusing element at the first end of the optical fiber and incorporating a second light diffusing element at the second end of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming at least part of the first and second connectors of a translucent material. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising aligning the first end of the optical fiber with an exterior surface of the first connector and aligning the second end of the optical fiber with an exterior surface of the second connector. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising aligning the first end of the optical fiber with an exterior, side surface of the first connector and aligning the second end of the optical fiber with an exterior, side surface of the second connector. 
     
     
         24 . A traceable cable assembly, comprising:
 a traceable cable, comprising:
 at least one data transmission element, 
 a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element, and 
 a tracing optical fiber extending along at least a portion of a length of the traceable cable, wherein the tracing optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the tracing optical fiber comprises a first bend that is equal to or less than ninety degrees and wherein the second end of the tracing optical fiber comprises a second bend that is equal or less than ninety degrees; 
   a first connector provided at a first end of the traceable cable and a second connector provided at a second end of the traceable cable, wherein the first bend of the tracing optical fiber is located in the first connector and the second bend of the tracing optical fiber is located in the second connector, wherein the first end of the tracing optical fiber is substantially flush with an exterior, side surface of the first connector and the second end of the tracing optical fiber is flush with an exterior, side surface of the second connector;   wherein the tracing optical fiber facilitates identification of the second connector when a launch light is injected in the first end of the tracing optical fiber; and   wherein the tracing optical fiber facilitates identification of the first connector when the launch light is injected in the second end of the tracing optical fiber.