Hybrid coaxial-optical cable and method of use
First Claim
1. A hybrid cable of substantially uniform cross section throughout its length for concurrently carrying an electrical signal which does not carry confidential information and an optical signal which does not carry confidential information, said cable comprising:
- a metallic conductor disposed at the center of the cable for carrying said electrical signal,a resilient buffer tube,an optical conductor for carrying said optical signal disposed inside said tube and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of said tube, said optical conductor being movable inside said tube,a metallic shield surrounding said metallic conductor and said tube,centering means for maintaining said metallic conductor and said shield coaxial, andan electrically insulative resilient outer jacket whereby said cable gives the appearance of and taps as a conventional coaxial cable, but additionally can transmit an optical signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid cable of substantially uniform cross-section for concurrently carrying an electrical signal and an optical signal. The cable includes a metallic conductor disposed at the center of the cable for carrying the electrical signal. The cable also includes a resilient buffer tube and an optical conductor for carrying the optical signal positioned inside the tube and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the tube so that the optical conductor is movable inside the tube. A metallic shield surrounds the metallic conductor and the tube. The metallic conductor and the shield are coaxial. The cable also includes an electrically insulative resilient outer jacket so that the cable gives the appearance of and taps as a conventional coaxial cable but additionally can transmit an optical signal. A method of using the hybrid cable is also disclosed.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A hybrid cable of substantially uniform cross section throughout its length for concurrently carrying an electrical signal which does not carry confidential information and an optical signal which does not carry confidential information, said cable comprising:
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a metallic conductor disposed at the center of the cable for carrying said electrical signal, a resilient buffer tube, an optical conductor for carrying said optical signal disposed inside said tube and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of said tube, said optical conductor being movable inside said tube, a metallic shield surrounding said metallic conductor and said tube, centering means for maintaining said metallic conductor and said shield coaxial, and an electrically insulative resilient outer jacket whereby said cable gives the appearance of and taps as a conventional coaxial cable, but additionally can transmit an optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of using a hybrid cable which has the outward appearance of a conventional coaxial cable and which is adapted to simultaneously carry an electrical signal and an optical signal, said hybrid cable being of substantially uniform cross section throughout its length and comprising:
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a metallic conductor held at the center of said hybrid cable for carrying said electrical signal, a resilient buffer tube, an optical conductor for carrying said optical signal disposed inside said tube and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of said tube, said optical conductor being movable inside said tube, a metallic shield surrounding said metallic conductor and said tube, and an electrically insulative resilient outer jacket, said method comprising the steps of; (a) applying an optical signal carrying confidential information to said optical conductor, and (b) applying an electrical signal which does not carry confidential information to said metallic conductor whereby tapping of said hybrid cable as a conventional coaxial cable yields only the non-confidential electrical signal.
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Specification