Support separators for high performance communications cable with optional hollow tubes for; blown optical fiber, coaxial, and/or twisted pair conductors

• US 20070151746A1
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cable Components Group, LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cable Components Group, LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Glew, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,432,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/113.C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4459 Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4489 of central supporting members of lobe structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/04 with pairs or quads mutually positioned to reduce cross-talk
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/22 Cables including at least one electrical conductor together with optical fibres

Abstract

A high performance communications cable with core support-separators having various shaped profiles defining and maintaining a space between transmission multi-media or transmission multi-media pairs. The core may be of a conductive or insulative material. The central core region includes a hollow opening or duct for blown fiber (ABF). The core support-separator can be interior to the cable jacket or without the benefit of a jacket. A thin layer of material can act as a type of skin for future mechanical protection. The specially shaped core support-separator has a central region that is either solid, partially solid, foamed, with a solid skin over the foam or hollow itself. The cable may include a plurality of shaped sections that extend outward from the central region along the length of the central region. Each of the defined clearance channels allow for disposal therein of conductors and optical fibers.

Claims

1. A high performance communications cable comprising;

an interior support comprising a cross-like separator that is hollow and extending outward horizontally and vertically away from an intersecting central region, with quadrants defined by 90 degree right angles wherein said hollow sections contain a shield extending along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, or both and wherein said interior support forms an outer insulated layer of a cross-like pattern and functions as a skin for said shield.

2. The high performance communications cable of claim 1, wherein said shield is comprised of aluminum backed PET film and may be configured so that it is held within an inner or outer portion of said cross-like separator.

3. The high performance communications cable of claim 1, wherein said shield is comprised of a cross-like portion that is metallized and utilizes electroless or electrolytic plating techniques creating a metallized thermoplastic film or an equivalent thereof and wherein said shield may be configured so that it is located within an inner or outer surface of said cross-like portion.

4. The high performance communications cable of claim 1, wherein said central region of said cross-like separator with said outer insulated layer and said shield includes a hollow central region acting as a ductlet for an air blown fiber (ABF) which is available for filling with optical fiber or other conductors.

6. The interior support-separator for a communications cable of claim 4, wherein said shield is comprised of aluminum backed PET film and may be configured so that it is held within an outer portion of said cross-like separator.

7. The high performance communications cable of claim 1, wherein said shield is comprised of an inner cross-like portion that is metallized and utilizes electroless or electrolytic plating techniques creating a metallized thermoplastic film or an equivalent thereof and wherein said shield may be configured so that it is located within an inner or outer surface of said cross-like portion.

8. The interior support-separator for a communications cable of claim 4, wherein said central region of said cross-like separator with said outer insulated layer and said shield includes a hollow central region acting as a ductlet for an air blown fiber (ABF) which is available for filling with optical fiber or other conductors.

5. An interior support-separator for a communications cable comprising;

an interior support comprising a cross-like separator that is hollow and extending outward horizontally and vertically away from an intersecting central region, with quadrants defined by 90 degree right angles wherein said hollow sections contain a shield extending along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, or both and wherein said interior support forms an outer insulated layer of a cross-like pattern and functions as a skin for said shield.

9. A high performance communications cable comprising;

an interior support comprising a cross-like separator extending outward horizontally and vertically away from an intersecting central region, with quadrants defined by 90 degree right angles with several hollow regions extending along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, or both and wherein said interior support forms an outer insulated layer of a cross-like pattern and functions as a skin for said hollow regions.

12. The high performance communications cable of claim 9, wherein said hollow central circular ring region may be filled with air blown fiber (ABF), coax or twisted pair conductors or optical fiber which are comprised of solid, semi-solid, foamed or hollow polymeric smooth internal and external surfaces in advance, during or after installation.

13. The high performance communications cable of claim 9, wherein said hollow central circular ring region is filled with organic or inorganic fibers such as polyamide, including Kevlar®

, and wherein said fibers also act as a strength member.

14. The high performance communications cable of claim 9, wherein said hollow central circular ring region contains a second inner ring.

16. The interior support-separator for a communications cable of claim 13, wherein said hollow central circular ring region may be filled with air blown fiber (ABF), coax or twisted pair conductors or optical fiber which are comprised of solid, semi-solid, foamed or hollow polymeric smooth internal and external surfaces in advance, during or after installation.

17. The interior support-separator for a communications cable of claim 13, wherein said hollow central circular ring region is filled with organic or inorganic fibers such as polyamide including Kevlar®

and wherein said fibers also act as a strength member.

18. The interior support-separator for a communications cable of claim 13, wherein said hollow central circular ring region contains a second inner ring.

10. An interior support-separator for a communications cable comprising;

an interior support comprising a cross-like separator extending outward horizontally and vertically away from an intersecting central region, with quadrants defined by 90 degree right angles with several hollow regions extending along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, or both and wherein said interior support forms an outer insulated layer of a cross-like pattern and functions as a skin for said hollow regions.

11. A high performance communications cable comprising;

an interior support that includes a hollow central circular ring region which is surrounded by semi-rounded lobes creating a symmetric star-like geometry that defines four separate regions.

15. An interior support-separator for a communications cable comprises an interior support including a hollow central circular ring region which is surrounded by semi-rounded lobes creating a symmetric star-like geometry that defines four separate regions.