Electrically optimized hybrid "last mile" telecommunications cable system

• US 6,239,379 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Khamsin Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Khamsin Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Taylor, John A., Cotter, Mitchell A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mayo, III, William H
• Application Number:
  US09/434,782
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 174/113 R, 174/110 R, 174/36, 174/28, 174/113 C, 174/117 AS, 174/113 AS
• US Class Current: 174/110.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/005 Quad constructions
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/06 with means for reducing effects of electromagnetic or electrostatic disturbances, e.g. screens
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/10 Screens specially adapted for reducing interference from external sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/22 Cables including at least one electrical conductor together with optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/2507 for the reduction or elimination of distortion or dispersion

Abstract

A cable system is provided which can accommodate electrical and optical cabling. The conductors of the system employ a layer which is impedance-matched to space, decreasing their cross-section to electromagnetic interference. The conductors of the system also employ a layer which symmetrizes electromagnetic interference signals, reducing the effect of interference and crosstalk on the signals carried by the conductors. The system also includes a node interface device for connection to a global electrical and fiber network. The node interface device connects to a user interface device through the cable.

Claims

1. An annular conductor for use in a multi-conductor cable, comprising:

an annular support sheath, within which is contained a volume for containing optical fibers;

a braided weave surrounding said annular support sheath, within said braided weave being disposed a plurality of individual conductors, each of the individual conductors including;

a tensile core;

a conductor layer surrounding said tensile core;

a magnetic matrix layer surrounding said conductor layer, said magnetic matrix layer having a spatially anisotropic value of permeability or permiftivity; and

an insulating layer surrounding said matrix layer.

2. The annular conductor of claim 1, further comprising at least one optical fiber disposed within said annular support sheath.

3. The annular conductor of claim 2, further comprising a filler gel surrounding said at least one optical fiber.

4. The annular conductor of claim 3, wherein said filler gel absorbs and immobilizes water vapor.

5. The annular conductor of claim 4, wherein said filler gel is superabsorbent.

6. The annular conductor of claim 1, wherein the tensile core of each of the individual conductors is formed of a ferromagnetic material.

7. The annular conductor of claim 6, wherein the tensile core of each of the individual conductors is formed of steel.

8. The annular conductor of claim 6, further comprising a high conductivity metallic coating on said tensile core of each of the individual conductors.

9. The annular conductor of claim 1, wherein the matrix layer of each of the individual conductors is formed of fine particulate material with a matrix binder.

10. The annular conductor of claim 6, wherein the matrix layer of each of the individual conductors has a spatial anisotropy in its values of permittivity and permeability.

11. The annular conductor of claim 6, wherein the matrix layer of each of the individual conductors is formed of high frequency ferrites.

12. The annular conductor of claim 6, wherein the matrix layer of each of the individual conductors has a periodically varying magnetization along a length of each of the individual conductors.