Cable strength member
First Claim
1. A strength member for use with a cable, the strength member comprising:
- a yarn including a plurality of elongated glass fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a central axis of the yarn, each glass fiber being substantially coated with a coating, the coating including at least a first component that forms a substantially smooth coat on each glass fiber and at least a second component that renders each glass fiber flexible to form the plurality of glass fibers into the yarn, wherein the coating is present at a percentage by weight of less than about 5 percent.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A nonmetallic, nonconductive strength member for use in a cable or as a component of a strength reinforcement system of a cable is provided. The strength member is constructed of low cost materials and includes multiple glass fibers coated with a coating composition. The strength member provides flexibility and high tensile strength. The strength member exhibits low smoke generation and low flammability properties. The coating composition includes at least a lubricant that imparts a substantially smooth surface and a low coefficient of friction to the glass fibers to help facilitate processing of the strength member(s) during cabling and stranding procedures. The coating composition also includes at least an adhesive component that helps to substantially adhere the glass fibers together and helps to form the glass fibers into the strength member. The strength member can be configured as a yarn or as a strand for incorporation within a cable and/or for arrangement with one or more cable components.
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Citations
61 Claims
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1. A strength member for use with a cable, the strength member comprising:
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a yarn including a plurality of elongated glass fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a central axis of the yarn, each glass fiber being substantially coated with a coating, the coating including at least a first component that forms a substantially smooth coat on each glass fiber and at least a second component that renders each glass fiber flexible to form the plurality of glass fibers into the yarn, wherein the coating is present at a percentage by weight of less than about 5 percent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A strength reinforcement system for use with a cable, the system comprising:
a plurality of strength members, each strength member including;
a yarn constructed of a plurality of elongated glass fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a central axis of the yarn, each glass fiber being substantially coated with a coating, the coating including at least a first component that forms a substantially smooth coat on each glass fiber and at least a second component that renders each glass fiber flexible to form the plurality of glass fibers into the yarn, wherein the coating is present at a percentage by weight of less than about 5 percent. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for making an elongated strength member for use in a cable, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of elongated glass fibers;
providing a coating including at least a first component that forms a substantially smooth coat on each glass fiber and at least a second component that renders each glass fiber flexible to form the plurality of glass fibers into the yarn;
coating the plurality of glass fibers with the coating to substantially coat each glass fiber;
arranging the plurality of glass fibers substantially parallel to one another;
forming the plurality of glass fibers into an elongated yarn; and
drying the coating, wherein the coating is present at a percentage by weight of less than about 5 percent. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A cable comprising:
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a cable jacket, the cable jacket defining an interior having elongated generally circular cylindrical shape;
a core disposed within the cable jacket interior to extend longitudinally along a center axis of the cable jacket;
one or more conductors disposed within the cable jacket interior and arranged around the core such that the one or more conductors extend longitudinally along the center axis of the cable jacket; and
one or more strength members disposed within the cable jacket interior extending longitudinally along the center axis of the cable jacket, wherein each of the one or more strength members includes;
a plurality of elongated glass fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a central axis of the yarn, each glass fiber being substantially coated with a coating, the coating including at least a first component that forms a substantially smooth coat on each glass fiber and at least a second component that renders each glass fiber flexible to form the plurality of glass fibers into the yarn, wherein the coating is present at a percentage by weight of less than about 5 percent. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
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60. A cable comprising:
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a cable jacket, the cable jacket defining an interior having an elongated generally circular cylindrical shape;
one or more conductors disposed within the cable jacket interior such that the one or more conductors extend along longitudinally along a center axis of the cable jacket; and
one or more strength members disposed and arranged among the one or more conductors such that the one or more strength members extend longitudinally along the center axis of the cable jacket, wherein each of the one or more strength members includes;
a plurality of elongated glass fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a central axis of the yarn, each glass fiber being substantially coated with a coating, the coating including at least a first component that forms a substantially smooth coat on each glass fiber and at least a second component that renders each glass fiber flexible to form the plurality of glass fibers into the yarn, wherein the coating is present at a percentage by weight of less than about 5 percent. - View Dependent Claims (61)
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Specification