Support separators for high performance communications cable with optional hollow tubes for; blown optical fiber, coaxial, and/or twisted pair conductors

• US 7,432,447 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cable Components Group, LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cable Components Group, LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Glew, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III; William H
• Application Number:
  US11/713,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20070151746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 174/110.R, 174/113.R, 174/113.C, 174/115, 174/116
• US Class Current: 174/113.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4459 Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4489 of central supporting members of lobe structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/04 with pairs or quads mutually positioned to reduce cross-talk
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/22 Cables including at least one electrical conductor together with optical fibres

Abstract

A high performance communications cable with core support-separators having various shaped profiles defining and maintaining a space between transmission multi-media or transmission multi-media pairs. The core may be of a conductive or insulative material. The central core region includes a hollow opening or duct for blown fiber (ABF). The core support-separator can be interior to the cable jacket or without the benefit of a jacket. A thin layer of material can act as a type of skin for future mechanical protection. The specially shaped core support-separator has a central region that is either solid, partially solid, foamed, with a solid skin over the foam or hollow itself. The cable may include a plurality of shaped sections that extend outward from the central region along the length of the central region. Each of the defined clearance channels allow for disposal therein of conductors and optical fibers.

Claims

1. A high performance communications cable comprising;

an interior support comprising a cross-like separator with hollow arm portions extending outward horizontally and vertically away from an intersecting central region, with quadrants defined by 90 degree right angles wherein said hollow arm portions contain a shield extending along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, or both, and wherein said interior support forms an outer insulated layer of a cross-like pattern and functions as a skin for encasing said shield.

2. The high performance communications cable of claim 1, wherein said shield is comprised of aluminum backed PET film and may be configured so that it is held within an inner or outer portion of said cross-like separator.

3. The high performance communications cable of claim 1, wherein said shield is comprised of a cross-like portion that is metallized and utilizes electroless or electrolytic plating techniques creating a metallized thermoplastic film or an equivalent thereof and wherein said shield may be configured so that it is located within an inner or outer surface of said cross-like portion.

4. The high performance communications cable of claim 1, wherein said central region of said cross-like separator with said outer insulated layer and said shield includes a hollow central region acting as a ductlet for an air blown fiber (ABF) which is available for filling with optical fiber or other conductors.

5. An interior support-separator for a communications cable comprising;

an interior support comprising a cross-like separator with hollow arm portions extending outward horizontally and vertically away from an intersecting central region, with quadrants defined by 90 degree right angles wherein said hollow arm portions contain a shield extending along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, or both, and wherein said interior support forms an outer insulated layer of a cross-like pattern and functions as a skin for encasing said shield.

6. The interior support-separator for a communications cable of claim 5, wherein said shield is comprised of aluminum backed PET film and may be configured so that it is held within an outer portion of said cross-like separator.

7. The high performance communications cable of claim 5, wherein said shield is comprised of an inner cross-like portion that is metallized and utilizes electroless or electrolytic plating techniques creating a metallized thermoplastic film or an equivalent thereof and wherein said shield may be configured so that it is located within an inner or outer surface of said cross-like portion.

8. The interior support-separator for a communications cable of claim 5, wherein said central region of said cross-like separator with said outer insulated layer and said shield includes a hollow central region acting as a ductlet for an air blown fiber (ABF) which is available for filling with optical fiber or other conductors.