Combined power and communications cable
First Claim
1. A combined power and communications cable comprising:
- first, second and third insulated conductors for delivering three phase electric power, the first, second and third insulated conductors forming a first group;
fourth and fifth insulated conductors for providing data communication, the fourth and fifth insulated conductors being twisted together and covered by an electrical shield, the fourth and fifth insulated conductors forming a second group; and
third and fourth groups having rounded insulated cross-sections,wherein the second group is placed between the third and fourth groups, and the third and fourth groups are each placed between the first and second groups, around a common center, andwherein the first, second, third and fourth groups are twisted together around the common center and covered by an electrical shield.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention provide an improved cable having a reduced cross section while continuing to provide high voltage (noisy) power signals alongside low voltage (noise-susceptible) data signals. The improved cable can be used for power delivery and communications between a motor and a drive in an industrial control system. The reduced cross section advantageously improves handling. By providing separate groups between a group delivering the power signals and a group providing the data signals, thereby enforcing a physical separation, and by twisting together individual conductors of the group delivering the power signals with the group providing the data signals and the groups providing the separation, the reduced cross section can be achieved while continuing to minimize noise and interference onto the data signals due to the power signals.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A combined power and communications cable comprising:
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first, second and third insulated conductors for delivering three phase electric power, the first, second and third insulated conductors forming a first group; fourth and fifth insulated conductors for providing data communication, the fourth and fifth insulated conductors being twisted together and covered by an electrical shield, the fourth and fifth insulated conductors forming a second group; and third and fourth groups having rounded insulated cross-sections, wherein the second group is placed between the third and fourth groups, and the third and fourth groups are each placed between the first and second groups, around a common center, and wherein the first, second, third and fourth groups are twisted together around the common center and covered by an electrical shield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for combining power and communications in a cable comprising:
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providing first, second and third insulated conductors for delivering three phase electric power, the first, second and third insulated conductors forming a first group; twisting together fourth and fifth insulated conductors for providing data communication and covering the fourth and fifth insulated conductors in an electrical shield, the fourth and fifth insulated conductors forming a second group; providing third and fourth groups having rounded insulated cross-sections; placing the second group between the third and fourth groups, and the third and fourth groups each between the first and second groups, around a common center; and twisting together the first, second, third and fourth groups around the common center and covering the first, second, third and fourth groups in an electrical shield. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An industrial control system comprising:
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a motor powered by three phase electric power and having an encoder; a drive unit for delivering three phase electric power to the motor and for communicating with the encoder; and a combined power and communications cable coupling the motor and the drive unit comprising; first, second and third insulated conductors for delivering the three phase electric power, the first, second and third insulated conductors forming a first group; fourth and fifth insulated conductors for providing data communication between the motor and the drive unit, the fourth and fifth insulated conductors being twisted together and covered by an electrical shield, the fourth and fifth insulated conductors forming a second group; and third and fourth groups having rounded insulated cross-sections, wherein the second group is placed between the third and fourth groups, and the third and fourth groups are each placed between the first and second groups, around a common center, and wherein the first, second, third and fourth groups are twisted together around the common center and covered by an electrical shield. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification