COMMUNICATION WIRE

• US 20100078193A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Company Limited
• Inventors: Kenny, Robert, Johnston, Fred, Wiekhorst, David, Stutzman, Spring, Dickman, Jim L., Juengst, Scott, Stutzman, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,664,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/80
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/443 Protective covering
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/02 mainly consisting of metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/06 with means for reducing effects of electromagnetic or electrostatic disturbances, e.g. screens
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/12 Arrangements for exhibiting specific transmission characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0233 Cables with a predominant gas dielectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0275 comprising one or more extruded layers of insulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/185 Sheaths comprising internal cavities or channels
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/295 using material resistant to flame

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved insulated conductor with a low dielectric constant and reduced materials costs. The conductor (12) extends along a longitudinal axis and an insulation (14, 14<1>) surrounds the conductor (12). At least on channel (16, 16<1>) in the insulation (14, 14<1>) extends generally along the longitudinal axis to form an insulated conductor. Apparatuses and methods of manufacturing the improved insulated conductors are also disclosed.

Claims

12-1. The wire of claim 1, wherein two insulated conductors are twisted together to form a twisted pair.

13-2. The wire of claim 12, wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel for a first of the twisted pairs is different than the channel for a second of the twisted pairs to reduce delay skew between them.

14-3. The wire of claim 12, wherein the delay skew is no greater than 15 ns between the insulated conductors.

21. An insulated conductor comprising:

a conductor having a length; and

an insulation surrounding the conductor and having substantially the same length as the conductor,

wherein the insulation includes at least one first channel that extends generally the length of the conductor and wherein an outer peripheral surface of the conductor forms one side of the at least one first channel, the channel material including a gas in contact with the conductor.

22. A communication wire for transmitting data and other signals including a plurality of twisted pairs comprising:

for each of the twisted pairs a conductor extending along a longitudinal axis, an insulation surrounding the conductor and at least one first channel in the insulation extending generally along the longitudinal axis to form an insulated conductor, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the conductor forms one side of the at least one first channel; and

wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel for a first of the twisted pairs is different than the channel for a second of the twisted pairs to reduce delay skew between them.

23. A wire comprising a component extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one first channel extending generally along the longitudinal axis,

wherein the component is selected from a conductor, insulation, a jacket or combinations thereof to form a channeled component containing a gas,

with the proviso that where the channeled component consists of an insulation, an outer peripheral surface of a conductor forms one side of the at least one first channel.

24. The wire of claim 23, wherein the channeled component includes at least a channeled jacket.

25. The wire of claim 24, further comprising a core element extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the channeled jacket surrounds the core element to form an isolated core.

26. The wire of claim 25, wherein the core element is selected from the group consisting of a copper conductor, a fiber optic conductor, an insulated conductor, a twisted pair, insulation, a shield, a separator and combinations thereof.

27. The wire of claim 25, wherein the core element includes a channeled insulation, a channeled conductor, or combinations thereof.