Metal/ceramic composite conductor and cable including same

• US 7,390,963 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Scherer, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III; William H.
• Application Number:
  US11/422,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20070284145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 174/36, 174/102.R, 174/103.R, 174/106.R, 174/110.R, 174/113.R, 174/120.R, 174/120.C, 174/126.1, 174/126.2, 174/126.4, 174/128.1, 174/128.2
• US Class Current: 174/36
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 47/08 by contacting the fibres or filaments with molten metal, e.g. by infiltrating the fibres or filaments placed in a mould C22C47/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/02 mainly consisting of metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/026 Alloys based on copper
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/1808 Construction of the conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0009 Details relating to the conductive cores

Abstract

A conductor cable includes an inner portion and a conductive coating. The inner portion is formed of a metal/ceramic composite. The conductive coating is coated on the inner portion.

Claims

1. An article comprising:

a high frequency signal transmission conductor including

an inner portion formed of a metal/ceramic composite, wherein the ceramic component of the composite includes non-metallic fibers embedded in the metal component of the composite; and

a first conductive coating on the inner portion,

wherein the first conductive coating is more conductive than the inner portion.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the metal/ceramic composite includes aluminum.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the conductor weighs between approximately 0.0033 pounds per 1000 feet and approximately 73.64 pounds per 1000 feet.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the metal/ceramic composite includes copper.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein the conductor weighs between approximately 0.0063 pounds per 1000 feet and approximately 138.24 pounds per 1000 feet.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the first conductive coating is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloys, gold, tin, lead, indium tin oxide, non-metallic materials with conductive particles, and non-metallic materials coated with conductive material.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the conductor has a diameter of between approximately 0.07874 millimeters and approximately 11.684 millimeters.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the conductor weighs no greater than approximately 140 pounds per 1000 feet.

19. The article of claim 1, wherein the conductor further includes a second conductive coating on the first conductive coating, wherein the second conductive coating is more conductive than the first conductive coating.

20. The article of claim 19, wherein the second conductive coating is silver.

9. A transmission cable, the cable comprising:

at least one high frequency signal transmission center conductor including

an inner portion formed of a metal/ceramic composite, wherein the ceramic component of the composite includes non-metallic fibers embedded in the metal component of the composite; and

a first conductive coating on the inner portion, wherein the first conductive coating is more conductive than the inner portion;

a dielectric material generally surrounding the center conductor;

a metallic outer shield generally surrounding the dielectric material; and

a jacket enveloping the metallic outer shield.

10. The transmission cable of claim 9, wherein the metal/ceramic composite includes aluminum.

11. The transmission cable of claim 10, wherein the center conductor has a weight of between approximately 0.0033 pounds per 1000 feet and approximately 73.64 pounds per 1000 feet.

12. The transmission cable of claim 9, wherein the metal/ceramic composite includes copper.

13. The transmission cable of claim 12, wherein the center conductor has a weight of between approximately 0.0063 pounds per 1000 feet and approximately 138.24 pounds per 1000 feet.

14. The transmission cable of claim 9, wherein the first conductive coating is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloys, gold, tin, lead, indium tin oxide, non-metallic materials with conductive particles, and non-metallic materials coated with conductive material.

15. The transmission cable of claim 9, wherein the center conductor has a diameter of between approximately 0.07874 millimeters and approximately 11.684 millimeters.

16. The transmission cable of claim 9, and further comprising a plurality of center conductors.

17. The transmission cable of claim 9, wherein the metallic outer shield is formed of a metal/ceramic composite.

18. The transmission cable of claim 9, wherein the center conductor weighs less than approximately 140 pounds per 1000 feet.

21. The transmission cable of claim 9, wherein the conductor further includes a second conductive coating on the first conductive coating, wherein the second conductive coating is more conductive than the first conductive coating.

22. The transmission cable of claim 21, wherein the second conductive coating is silver.