Twisted pair cable with cable separator

• US 20040055781A1
• Filed: 03/03/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belden CDT (Canada) Inc. (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nordx/CDT Inc. (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Cornibert, Jacques, Walling, Jorg-Hein, Yameogo, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,196,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/135
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/06 with means for reducing effects of electromagnetic or electrostatic disturbances, e.g. screens

Abstract

Generally, aspects of embodiments of the invention include cable separator spline which comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending walls joined along a central axis of the spline, and a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. Each longitudinally extending channel is defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls, where the pair of longitudinally extending walls includes a first wall substantially thicker than a second wall. Other embodiments include a cable separator spline assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending walls joined along a central axis of the spline, and a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. Each longitudinally extending channel is defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls, wherein a pair of opposing longitudinally extending walls have defined through them a common gap defining two separate sub-splines having T-shaped cross-sections. Embodiments of the invention feature various spline shapes as well as various internal structures and materials.

Claims

1. A cable separator spline, comprising:

a plurality of longitudinally extending walls joined along a central axis of the spline; and

a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, each longitudinally extending channel defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls;

wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls includes a first wall substantially thicker than a second wall.

2. The spline of claim 1, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a conductive material.

3. The spline of claim 2, wherein the conductive material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

4. The spline of claim 2, wherein the conductive material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

5. The spline of claim 1, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a magnetic shield material.

6. The spline of claim 5, wherein the magnetic shield material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

7. The spline of claim 5, wherein the magnetic shield material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

8. The spline of claim 7, wherein the magnetic shield material comprises ferrite.

9. The spline of claim 1, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a bifurcated edge.

10. The spline of claim 1, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a flanged edge.

11. The spline of claim 10, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a bifurcated edge.

12. The spline of claim 2, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls include flanged edges.

13. The spline of claim 12, wherein the flanged edges of the pair of longitudinally extending walls extend sufficiently far around the longitudinally extending channel defined by the pair of longitudinally extending walls to retain a twisted pair cable lying therein in a stable position.

14. The spline of claim 13, wherein a transverse cross-section of each longitudinally extending channel is a substantially polygonal void.

15. The spline of claim 13, wherein a transverse cross-section of each longitudinally extending channel is a substantially circular void.

16. The spline of claim 1, wherein the first wall includes a surface defining an internal hollow region surrounded by the first wall.

17. The spline of claim 16, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a flanged edge.

18. The spline of claim 17, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls include flanged edges.

19. The spline of claim 18, wherein the flanged edges of the pair of longitudinally extending walls extend sufficiently far around the longitudinally extending channel defined by the pair to retain a twisted pair cable lying therein in a stable position.

20. A cable separator spline assembly, comprising:

a plurality of longitudinally extending walls joined along a central axis of the spline; and

a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, each longitudinally extending channel defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls;

wherein a pair of opposing longitudinally extending walls have defined through them a common gap defining two separate sub-splines having T-shaped cross-sections.

21. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 20, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a bifurcated edge.

22. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 20, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a flanged edge.

23. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 22, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a bifurcated edge.

24. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 22, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls defining the longitudinally extending channel have flanged edges.

25. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 24, wherein the flanged edges extend sufficiently far around the longitudinally extending channel to retain a twisted pair cable lying therein in a stable position.

26. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 25, wherein the two sub-splines are separated by a layer of shielding.

27. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 26, wherein the layer of shielding comprises a layer of metal-coated mylar.

28. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 26, wherein each sub-spline is enclosed and separated from the other by the layer of shielding.

29. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 28, wherein the layer of shielding has an S-shape cross-section that wraps about and separates the subsplines.

30. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 20, wherein the two sub-splines are separated by a layer of shielding.

31. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 30, wherein the layer of shielding comprises a layer of metal-coated mylar.

32. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 30, wherein each sub-spline is enclosed and separated from the other by a layer of shielding.

33. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 32, wherein the layer of shielding has an S-shape cross-section that wraps about and separates the sub-splines.

34. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 20, wherein at least one of the two separate sub-splines having T-shaped cross-sections comprises a folded flexible tape.

35. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 34, wherein the folded flexible tape comprises a layer of metal-coated mylar.

36. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 34, wherein each sub-spline is enclosed by a layer of shielding.

37. The cable separator spline assembly of claim 36, wherein the folded flexible tape forming at least one of the T-shaped sub-splines encloses the T-shaped subsplines.

38. The cable separator spline of claim 20, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a conductive material.

39. The cable separator spline of claim 38, wherein the conductive material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

40. The cable separator spline of claim 38, wherein the conductive material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

41. The cable separator spline of claim 20, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a magnetic shield material.

42. The cable separator spline of claim 41, wherein the magnetic shield material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

43. The cable separator spline of claim 41, wherein the magnetic shield material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

44. The cable separator spline of claim 43, wherein the magnetic shield material comprises ferrite.

45. A high performance data cable comprising:

a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors;

a cable separator spline having;

a plurality of longitudinally extending walls joined along a central axis of the spline; and

a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, each longitudinally extending channel defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls;

wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls includes a first wall substantially thicker than a second wall.

46. The high performance data cable of claim 45, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a conductive material.

47. The high performance data cable of claim 46, wherein the conductive material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

48. The high performance data cable of claim 46, wherein the conductive material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

49. The high performance data cable of claim 45, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a magnetic shield material.

50. The high performance data cable of claim 49, wherein the magnetic shield material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

51. The high performance data cable of claim 49, wherein the magnetic shield material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

52. The high performance data cable of claim 49, wherein the magnetic shield material comprises ferrite.

53. The high performance data cable of claim 45, wherein the first wall of the cable separator spline includes a surface defining an internal hollow region surrounded by the first wall.

54. The high performance data cable of claim 53, wherein a longitudinally extending wall of the cable separator spline has a bifurcated edge.

55. The high performance data cable of claim 53, wherein a longitudinally extending wall of the cable separator spline has a flanged edge.

56. The high performance data cable of claim 55, wherein a longitudinally extending wall of the cable separator spline has a bifurcated edge.

57. The high performance data cable of claim 55, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls of the cable separator spline include flanged edges.

58. The high performance data cable of claim 57, wherein the flanged edges of the pair of longitudinally extending walls extend sufficiently far around the longitudinally extending channel defined by the pair to retain a twisted pair cable lying therein in a stable position.

59. The high performance data cable of claim 45, wherein a longitudinally extending wall of the data cable has a flanged edge.

60. The high performance data cable of claim 59, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls include flanged edges.

61. The high performance data cable of claim 60, wherein the flanged edges extend sufficiently far around the longitudinally extending channel defined by the pair to retain a twisted pair cable lying therein in a stable position.

62. A high performance data cable comprising:

a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors;

a cable separator spline assembly, comprising;

a plurality of longitudinally extending walls joined along a central axis of the spline; and

a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, each longitudinally extending channel defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls;

wherein a pair of opposing longitudinally extending walls have defined through them a common gap defining two separate sub-splines having T-shaped cross-sections.

63. The high performance data cable of claim 62, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a conductive material.

64. The high performance data cable of claim 63, wherein the conductive material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

65. The high performance data cable of claim 63, wherein the conductive material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

66. The high performance data cable of claim 62, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a magnetic shield material.

67. The high performance data cable of claim 66, wherein the magnetic shield material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

68. The high performance data cable of claim 66, wherein the magnetic shield material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

69. The high performance data cable of claim 66, wherein the magnetic shield material comprises ferrite.

70. The high performance data cable of claim 62, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a bifurcated edge.

71. The high performance data cable of claim 62, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a flanged edge.

72. The high performance data cable of claim 71, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a bifurcated edge.

73. The high performance data cable of claim 71, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls of the cable separator spline assembly defining the longitudinally extending channel have flanged edges.

74. The high performance data cable of claim 73, wherein the flanged edges extend sufficiently far around the longitudinally extending channel defined by the pair to retain a twisted pair cable lying therein in a stable position.

75. The high performance data cable of claim 74, wherein the two sub-splines are separated by a layer of shielding.

76. The high performance data cable of claim 75, wherein the layer of shielding comprises a layer of metal-coated mylar.

77. The high performance data cable of claim 75, wherein each sub-spline is enclosed and separated from the other by a layer of shielding.

78. The high performance data cable of claim 77, wherein the layer of shielding has an S-shape cross-section that wraps about and separates the sub-splines.

79. The high performance data cable of claim 62, wherein the two sub-splines are separated by a layer of shielding.

80. The high performance data cable of claim 79, wherein the layer of shielding comprises a layer of metal-coated mylar.

81. The high performance data cable of claim 79, wherein each sub-spline is enclosed and separated from the other by a layer of shielding.

82. The high performance data cable of claim 81, wherein the layer of shielding has an S-shape cross-section that wraps about and separates the sub-splines.

83. The high performance data cable of claim 62, wherein at least one of the two separate sub-splines having T-shaped cross-sections is formed from a folded layer of shielding.

84. The high performance data cable of claim 83, wherein the folded layer of shielding comprises a layer of metal-coated mylar.

85. The high performance data cable of claim 83, wherein each sub-spline is enclosed by a layer of shielding.

86. The high performance data cable of claim 85, wherein the folded layer of shielding forming at least one of the T-shaped sub-splines encloses the T-shaped sub-splines.

87. A high performance data cable comprising:

a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors;

a jacket;

a plurality of longitudinally extending walls connected to the jacket and extending substantially toward the center of the data cable;

a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, each longitudinally extending channel defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls;

wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls includes a first wall substantially thicker than a second wall.

88. A cable separator, comprising:

a plurality of longitudinally extending walls; and

a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, each longitudinally extending channel defined by a pair of the longitudinally extending walls;

wherein the pair of longitudinally extending walls includes a first wall substantially thicker than a second wall.

89. The cable separator of claim 88, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls are joined along a central axis of the cable separator.

90. The cable separator of claim 88, further comprising a jacket surrounding the cable, and wherein the walls are joined to the jacked on an inner surface thereof.

91. The cable separator of claim 90, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a conductive material.

92. The cable separator of claim 91, wherein the conductive material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

93. The cable separator of claim 91, wherein the conductive material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

94. The cable separator of claim 90, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending walls comprise:

a magnetic shield material.

95. The cable separator of claim 94, wherein the magnetic shield material is disposed on the surface of the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

96. The cable separator of claim 94, wherein the magnetic shield material is embedded inside the plurality of longitudinally extending walls.

97. The cable separator of claim 94, wherein the magnetic shield material comprises ferrite.

98. The cable separator of claim 90, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a bifurcated edge.

99. The cable separator of claim 90, wherein a longitudinally extending wall has a flanged edge.

100. The cable separator of claim 99, wherein a transverse cross-section of each longitudinally extending channel is a substantially polygonal void.

101. The cable separator of claim 99, wherein a transverse cross-section of each longitudinally extending channel is a substantially circular void.

102. The cable separator of claim 90, wherein the first wall includes a surface defining an internal hollow region surrounded by the first wall.