Communication Cable Comprising Electrically Discontinuous Shield Having Nonmetallic Appearance

• US 20110147039A1
• Filed: 03/03/2011
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Superior Essex International IP
• Original Assignee: Superior Essex Communications LP (LS Corporation)
• Inventors: Tyler, James S., Neveux, Paul E. JR., McNutt, Christopher, Smith, Delton C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,395,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/102.R
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/1008 Features relating to screening tape per se
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/2613 by longitudinal lapping

Abstract

A tape can comprise a dielectric film that has a pattern of electrically conductive areas adhering thereto. The conductive areas can be electrically isolated from one another. The tape can utilize means to obscure the metallic finish and can contain indicators to deter installers from grounding the tape at either end. The tape can be wrapped around one or more conductors, such as wires that transmit data, to provide electrical or electromagnetic shielding for the conductors. The resulting cable can have a shield that is electrically discontinuous between opposite ends of the cable.

Claims

1. A communication cable comprising:

an outer jacket defining an interior volume that extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end of the communication cable;

a tape disposed in the interior volume and extending lengthwise to define at least two chambers within the interior volume;

a first plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors disposed in a first of the at least two chambers and extending substantially between the first end and the second end; and

a second plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors disposed in a second of the at least two chambers and extending substantially between the first end and the second end,

wherein the tape comprises;

electrically conductive patches that are operable to shield against interference, wherein an electrically conductive patch at the first end is isolated electrically from an electrically conductive patch at the second end; and

indicia differentiating the tape from an electrically continuous tape for an installer of the communication cable.

2. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein the first of the at least two chambers is defined by the tape circumferentially encircling the first plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors, and

wherein the second of the at least two chambers is defined between the outer jacket and the tape.

3. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein exactly two individually insulated electrical conductors are disposed in the first of the at least two chambers.

4. The communication cable of claim 3, wherein exactly six individually insulated electrical conductors are disposed in the second of the at least two chambers.

5. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein exactly six individually insulated electrical conductors are disposed in the first of the at least two chambers.

6. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors comprises a twisted pair.

7. The communication cable of claim 6, wherein the second plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors comprises three other twisted pairs.

8. A communication cable comprising:

an outer jacket defining an interior volume that extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end of the communication cable;

a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors disposed in the interior volume; and

a tape disposed in the interior volume and separating a first twisted pair in the plurality of twisted pairs from a second twisted pair in the plurality of twisted pairs,

wherein the tape comprises;

electrically conductive patches that are operable to shield against interference, wherein an electrically conductive patch at the first end is isolated electrically from an electrically conductive patch at the second end; and

indicia differentiating the tape from an electrically continuous tape for an installer of the communication cable.

9. The communication cable of claim 8, wherein the tape is wrapped around the first twisted pair in the plurality of twisted pairs.

10. The communication cable of claim 9, wherein the tape is wrapped around only the first twisted pair in the plurality of twisted pairs.

11. A communication cable comprising:

a plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors, for transmitting communication signals between a first end and a second end of the communication cable; and

an outer jacket covering the plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors and a elongated object that extends between the first end and the second end of the communication cable,

wherein the elongated object comprises;

a substrate comprising electrical insulation;

patches, comprising electrically conductive material, that are attached to the substrate and that are operable to shield at least one of the plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors from interference, wherein a patch at the first end of the communication cable is electrically isolated from a patch at the second end of the communication cable; and

indicia differentiating the elongated object from an electrically continuous elongated object to an installer of the communication cable.

12. The communication cable of claim 11, wherein the elongated object comprises a tape.

13. The communication cable of claim 11, wherein the substrate comprises a slender strip of dielectric material.

14. A communication cable comprising:

a plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors, for transmitting communication signals between a first end and a second end of the communication cable;

a flexible member running alongside the plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors and extending between the first end and the second end of the communication cable; and

an outer jacket covering the plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors and the flexible member,

wherein the flexible member comprises;

patches, comprising electrically conductive material, that are operable to shield at least two of the plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors from interference, wherein a patch at the first end of the communication cable is electrically isolated from a patch at the second end of the communication cable; and

indicia differentiating the flexible member from an electrically continuous flexible member to cable installer.

15. The communication cable of claim 14, wherein the flexible member is a tape.

16. The communication cable of claim 14, wherein the flexible member comprises a ribbon of dielectric material to which the patches adhere.

17. The communication cable of claim 14, wherein the indicia comprises a message informing the installer that the flexible member should remain ungrounded.

18. The communication cable of claim 14, wherein the indicia comprises a material that is operable to obscure the electrically conductive material from the installer.

19. The communication cable of claim 14, wherein the indicia comprises a notification intended for receipt by the installer.

20. The communication cable of claim 14, wherein the flexible member appears substantially non-reflective as viewed by the installer.