Data cable

• US 5,990,419 A
• Filed: 08/26/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Virginia Patent Development Corporation
• Inventors: Bogese, Stephen B. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Sough, Hyung-Sub
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mayo, III, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/918,866
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 174/97, 174/99 R, 174/110 PM, 174/113 R, 174/113 AS, 174/120 R, 174/120 SR, 174/102 SP
• US Class Current: 174/120.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/002 Pair constructions
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/184 Sheaths comprising grooves, ribs or other projections
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/185 Sheaths comprising internal cavities or channels

Abstract

A primary conductor having a solid wire or wire strands that are enclosed by an insulating coating which has ribs that extend radially outwardly. The insulating coating provides electrical insulation between neighboring conductors. The ribs define air spaces which are between the ribs and space the insulated primary conductors from each other, thereby reducing the overall dielectric constant of the cable assembly. This in turn reduces the line-to-line capacitance between adjacent conductors, thereby minimizing Near End Cross Talk.

Claims

1. A cable comprising:

a first insulated conductor;

a second insulated conductor located adjacent to said first conductor;

said first and second insulated conductors each including a primary conductor and an insulation enclosing said primary conductor;

each of said insulations comprising

a first annular ring;

a rib extending radially from said first annular ring;

said rib including an outermost end; and

wherein said first and second insulated conductors are oriented so that said outermost end of said rib of said first insulated conductor abuts said outermost end of said rib of said second insulated conductor, thereby defining air space between said first annular ring of said first insulated conductor and said first annular ring of said second insulated conductor.

2. The cable of claim 1, wherein at least one of said primary conductors comprises a solid wire.

3. The cable of claim 1, wherein at least one of said primary conductors comprises wire strands.

4. The cable of claim 1, wherein said first and second insulated conductors each includes a first plurality of ribs extending radially from said first annular ring.

5. The cable of claim 3, wherein said first plurality of ribs consists of ribs of substantially equal radial height.

6. The cable of claim 3, wherein said first plurality of ribs consists of alternating ribs and intervening ribs, said alternating ribs having a greater radial height than said intervening ribs.

7. The cable of claim 3, wherein at least one of said first and second insulated conductors further comprises:

a second annular ring including a second plurality of ribs extending radially therefrom;

said second annular ring being located between said primary conductor and said first annular ring; and

said second plurality of ribs forming air spaces between said first annular ring and said second annular ring.

8. The cable of claim 3, wherein each of said first plurality of ribs is T-shaped including an outer annular arm defining an air space between the outer annular arms of adjacent ribs, said outer annular arm further defining an air space between said outer annular arm and said first annular ring.

9. The cable of claim 7, wherein an annular length of said air space between the outer annular arms of adjacent ribs is less than the annular length of any one of said outer annular arms.

10. The cable of claim 3, wherein said first plurality of ribs are D-shaped, defining an air space within each of said first plurality of ribs and an annular air space between adjacent ribs.

11. The cable of claim 9, wherein the annular length of said air space between adjacent ribs is less than the annular length of any one of said first plurality of ribs.

13. The cable of claim 11, wherein each of said primary conductors comprises a solid wire.

14. The cable of claim 11, wherein each of said primary conductors comprises wire strands.

15. The cable of claim 11, wherein said first and second insulated conductors each includes a first plurality of ribs extending radially from said annular ring.

16. The cable of claim 14, wherein said first plurality of ribs consists of ribs of substantially equal radial height.

17. The cable of claim 14, wherein said first plurality of ribs consists of alternating ribs and intervening ribs, said alternating ribs having a greater radial height than said intervening ribs.

18. The cable of claim 14, wherein at least one of said first and second insulated conductors further comprises:

a second annular ring including a second plurality of ribs extending radially therefrom;

said second annular ring being located between said primary conductor and said first annular ring; and

said second plurality of ribs forming air spaces between said first annular ring and said second annular ring.

19. The cable of claim 14, wherein each of said first plurality of ribs is T-shaped including an outer annular arm defining an air space between the outer annular arms of adjacent ribs, said outer annular arm further defining an air space between said outer annular arm and said first annular ring.

20. The cable of claim 18, wherein an annular length of said air space between the outer annular arms of adjacent ribs is less than the annular length of any one of said outer annular arms.

21. The cable of claim 14, wherein said first plurality of ribs are D-shaped, defining an air space within each of said first plurality of ribs and an annular air space between adjacent ribs.

22. The cable of claim 20, wherein the annular length of said air space between adjacent ribs is less than the annular length of any one of said plurality of ribs.

23. The cable of claim 11, wherein said at least one twisted pair is enclosed in a shield.

24. The cable of claim 22, wherein said shield is made of plastic.

25. The cable of claim 22, wherein said shield is made of metal.

26. The cable of claim 11, wherein said at least one twisted pair comprises two or more twisted pairs.

27. The cable of claim 25, wherein each of said two or more twisted pairs is enclosed in a metal screen.

12. A cable comprising:

at least one twisted pair including a first insulated conductor and a second insulated conductor, said first and second insulated conductors being twisted together;

said first and second insulated conductors each including a primary conductor and an integral insulation enclosing said primary conductor;

said insulation comprising

a first annular ring;

a rib extending radially from said first annular ring;

said rib including an outermost end; and

wherein said first and second insulated conductors are oriented so that said outermost end of said rib of said first insulated conductor abuts said outermost end of said rib of said second insulated conductor, thereby defining air space between said first annular ring of said first insulated conductor and said first annular ring of said second insulated conductor.