TRANSMISSION MEDIUM HAVING A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH

• US 20160336091A1
• Filed: 05/15/2015
• Published: 11/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Henry, Paul Shala, Bennett, Robert, Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin, Taylor, William Scott, Barnickel, Donald J., Willis, Thomas M. III, Guntin, Ed
• Granted Patent: US 10,650,940 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/307 Other macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/441 from alkenes
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/06 Coaxial lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a conductor for guiding electromagnetic waves longitudinally along the conductor, and a shell surrounding at least a portion of the conductor for reducing exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an adverse environment that increases propagation losses of the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A transmission medium, comprising:

a cable comprising a conductive core; and

a dielectric layer surrounding at least a portion of the conductive core, wherein the conductive core is configured to enable electromagnetic waves to be bound to the conductive core rather than the dielectric layer without an electrical return path, and wherein the dielectric layer reduces an exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an environment that adversely affects propagation of the electromagnetic waves via the conductive core.

2. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein an insulation layer is disposed between the conductive core and the dielectric layer.

3. The transmission medium of claim 2, wherein the insulation layer has a first dielectric constant, wherein the dielectric layer has a second dielectric constant, and wherein the first dielectric constant exceeds the second dielectric constant.

4. The transmission medium of claim 2, wherein the insulation layer comprises a high density dielectric material, and wherein the dielectric layer comprises a dielectric foam.

5. The transmission medium of claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic waves are bound to the insulation layer.

6. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein the conductive core is an uninsulated conductor, wherein the dielectric layer is disposed on an outer surface of the uninsulated conductor, and wherein the electromagnetic waves have a fundamental guided wave mode bound to the uninsulated conductor.

7. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a cellular plastic material.

8. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer comprises an expanded polyethylene material.

9. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of the electromagnetic waves are confined in the dielectric layer to reduce propagation losses caused by the environment.

10. The transmission medium of claim 1, further comprising a cover that surrounds an outer surface of the dielectric layer to prevent exposure to the environment.

11. The transmission medium of claim 10, wherein the cover comprises a dielectric material.

12. The transmission medium of claim 11, wherein the dielectric material comprises polyethylene.

13. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein the cable and the dielectric layer are coaxially aligned.

14. The transmission medium of claim 1, further comprising a splicing device for mating to a first end of the transmission medium and a second end of another transmission medium.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a transmission medium, a signal from a launcher; and

propagating, by the transmission medium, guided electromagnetic waves along an inner portion of the transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are generated by the signal, wherein the inner portion of the transmission medium comprises a conductor and a shell surrounding the conductor, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are bound to the conductor without an electrical return path, and wherein the shell reduces exposure of the guided electromagnetic waves to an adverse environment.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the shell comprises a dielectric foam disposed on an outer surface of the conductor, and wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are bound to the outer surface of the conductor.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the conductor comprises an insulation layer disposed between the conductor and the shell, and wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are bound to the insulation layer.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein a portion of the guided electromagnetic waves are confined in the shell to reduce exposure to the adverse environment.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising supplying the guided electromagnetic waves to a power transformer for delivering the guided electromagnetic waves to a power line coupled to the power transformer.

20. A cable, comprising:

a conductor; and

a shell surrounding at least a portion of the conductor, wherein the conductor is configured to enable electromagnetic waves to be bound to the conductor rather than the shell without an electrical return path, and wherein the shell reduces exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an adverse environment that increases propagation losses of the electromagnetic waves.

21. The cable of claim 20, wherein the conductor and the shell share a common axis.

22. The cable of claim 20, further comprising an insulation layer disposed between the shell and the conductor.

23. The cable of claim 22, wherein the electromagnetic waves are bound to the insulation layer.

24. The cable of claim 20, wherein a substantial portion of the electromagnetic waves propagate within the shell to prevent exposure to the adverse environment.