Hybrid cables for communication networks

• US 20070280610A1
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures LP A Nevada Partnership
• Original Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures LP A Nevada Partnership
• Inventors: Mallya, Arvind R., Swalley, Jack K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,310,430 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/101
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 9/005 including optical transmission elements

Abstract

Hybrid cables for communication networks are disclosed. An example cable includes a plurality of electrical conductors disposed along a central axis of the cable. The plurality of electrical conductors includes a first twisted pair cable in a twisted configuration with a second twisted pair cable. The cable also includes a first jacket surrounding the plurality of electrical conductors and a plurality of optical fibers adjacent to an outer surface of the first jacket.

Claims

1. A cable comprising:

a plurality of electrical conductors disposed along a central axis of the cable, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors includes a first twisted pair cable in a twisted configuration with a second twisted pair cable;

a first jacket surrounding the plurality of electrical conductors; and

a plurality of optical fibers adjacent to an outer surface of the first jacket.

2. A cable as defined in claim 1, wherein the optical fibers are circumferentially spaced around the first jacket.

3. A cable as defined in claim 1, wherein the first twisted pair cable is configured to carry a communication signal, and wherein the second twisted pair cable is configured to carry electricity without a communication signal.

4. A cable as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors forms at least one of a strain relief member or a compression relief member.

5. A cable as defined in claim 1, wherein the first twisted pair cable and the second twisted pair cable are arranged to minimize heat transfer from the second twisted pair cable to the first twisted pair cable.

6. A cable as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors includes at least one of a copper conductor.

7. A cable as defined in claim 1, wherein the first jacket is a polyethylene jacket.

8. A cable as defined in claim 1, further comprising a water-blocking jacket surrounding the plurality of optical fibers.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a bundle of electrical conductors along an axial center of a cable, wherein the bundle of electrical conductors includes a first twisted pair cable in a twisted configuration with a second twisted pair cable;

a first jacket surrounding the bundle of electrical conductors; and

a plurality of optical fibers adjacent to the first jacket.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the first twisted pair cable is configured to carry a communication signal, and wherein the second twisted pair cable is configured to carry electricity without a communication signal.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a radial configuration around the first jacket.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the bundle of electrical conductors forms at least one of a strain relief member or a compression relief member.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the first twisted pair cable and the second twisted pair cable are arranged to minimize heat transfer from the second twisted pair cable to the first twisted pair cable.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the bundle of electrical conductors includes at least one of a copper conductor.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the first jacket is a polyethylene jacket.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising a water-blocking jacket surrounding the plurality of optical fibers.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are grouped into a plurality of optical fiber bundles, and wherein the plurality of optical fiber bundles are in a radial configuration around the bundle of electrical conductors.

18. A cable comprising:

a plurality of optical fibers disposed along a central axis of the cable;

a jacket surrounding the plurality of optical fibers; and

a plurality of bundles of electrical conductors adjacent to an outer surface of the jacket, wherein the plurality of bundles of electrical conductors form at least one of a strain relief member or a compression relief member, and wherein at least some of the bundles of electrical conductors are configured to carry at least one of information or electrical power.

19. A cable as defined in claim 18, wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprises an optical fiber ribbon.

20. A cable as defined in claim 18, wherein the plurality of bundles of electrical conductors are circumferentially spaced around the outer surface of the jacket.

22. A cable as defined in claim 18, wherein the at least some of the electrical conductors are in a twisted configuration with one another.

23. A cable as defined in claim 18, wherein at least some of the bundles of electrical conductors include at least one of a twisted pair conductor or a coaxial cable conductor.

24. A cable as defined in claim 18, wherein the jacket is a water-blocking jacket.

25. A cable as defined in claim 18, further comprising a dry-core tube surrounding the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the jacket surrounds the dry-core tube.

48. A cable as defined in claim 18, wherein the plurality of bundles of electrical conductors are twisted around the jacket.

21. (canceled)

26-47. -47. (canceled)