Electrical cable

• US 5,313,020 A
• Filed: 05/29/1992
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: INOVA Limited
• Original Assignee: Western Atlas International Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Sackett, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NIMMO, MORRIS
• Application Number:
  US07/890,942
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 774/113 C, 774/113 R, 774/131 A, 774/116, 774/36, 156/47, 156/51
• US Class Current: 174/113.00C
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/002 Pair constructions
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/1895 Internal space filling-up means

Abstract

A twin-axial cable comprises a central core around which two conductors are helically wrapped. Interspersing a plurality of spacers between the conductors determines the relative placement of the two conductors on the core. A dielectric barrier encases the core, conductors, and spacers.

Claims

1. A cable, comprising

(a) an interior element having

(i) a longitudinal cylindrical central core;

(ii) two insulated conductors helically wrapped around the core so that the conductors are substantially diametrically opposed from each other along the length of the core;

(iii) a plurality of cylindrical spacers helically wrapped around the core between the conductors to ensure that the conductors are remain substantially diametrically opposed from each other along the length of the core;

(b) a dielectric material encasing the interior element;

(c) a shield surrounding the dielectric material; and

(d) an outer dielectric sheath surrounding the shield.

2. The cable of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the spacers is equivalent to the outer diameter of the insulation jacket surrounding each conductor.

3. The cable of claim 1 wherein the insulation surrounding the conductors, the dielectric material encasing the interior elements, the core, and the spacers are made of materials of the same chemical base.

4. The cable of claim 1 wherein a self-healing fluidic substance occupies interstices between the spacers, the core, and the insulated conductors.

5. The cable of claim 1 wherein the shield is a braided metallic wire.

6. The cable of claim 5 wherein en electrically conductive polymer bonds the shield to the dielectric material.

7. A method of forming a cable, comprising the steps of:

(a) helically wrapping two insulated conductors and a plurality of spacers around a longitudinal, cylindrical central core so that the spacers are located between the conductors in a manner that ensures the conductors are substantially diametrically opposed from each other along the length of the core;

(b) encasing the conductors, the plurality of spacers, and the central core within a dielectric material;

(c) surrounding the dielectric material with a shield; and

(d) encasing the shield within an outer dielectric sheath.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the shield is formed by braiding metallic wire.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the shield is bonded to the dielectric material by an electrically conductive polymer.

10. A method of forming a twin-axial cable, comprising the steps of:

(a) helically wrapping two insulated conductors and a plurality of spacers around a longitudinal, cylindrical central core so that the spacers are located between the conductors in a way that ensures the conductors are substantially diametrically opposed from each other along the length of the core;

(b) injecting a self-healing fluidic substance in the interstices between the spacers, the insulated conductors, and the core;

(c) encasing the conductors, the plurality of spacers, and the central core within a dielectric material.

(d) surrounding the dielectric material with a shield; and

(e) encasing the shield within an outer dielectric sheath.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the shield is formed by braiding metallic wire.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the shield is bonded to the dielectric material by an electrically conductive polymer.