Coaxial cable including tubular bimetallic outer layer with angled edges and associated methods

• US 7,687,719 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Outdoor Wireless Networks LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Commscope Inc of North Carolina (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moe, Alan N., Nelson, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Chau N
• Application Number:
  US11/957,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20090151979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 174/102.R, 174/106.R, 174/36
• US Class Current: 174/106.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/04 Tubular or hollow articles
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0253 for the longitudinal seam of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/1826 Co-axial cables with at least one longitudinal lapped tape-conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/2686 Pretreatment

Abstract

A coaxial cable may include an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material layer therebetween. The outer conductor may include a tubular bimetallic layer and may have a pair of opposing longitudinal edge portions at a longitudinal seam. The tubular bimetallic layer may include an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer bonded thereto and coextensive therewith. In addition, the opposing longitudinal edge portions may be angled outwardly to define a pair of adjacent outwardly extending tabs.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable comprising:

an inner conductor, an outer conductor, a dielectric material layer therebetween, and an insulating jacket surrounding said outer conductor;

said outer conductor comprising a tubular bimetallic layer and having a pair of opposing longitudinal edge portions at a longitudinal seam;

said tubular bimetallic layer comprising an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer bonded thereto and coextensive therewith;

said opposing longitudinal edge portions being angled outwardly to define a pair of adjacent outwardly extending tabs, the tabs extending radially into said insulating jacket.

2. A coaxial cable according to claim 1 wherein said inner metal layer has a higher electrical conductivity than said outer metal layer.

3. A coaxial cable according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal seam comprises a joint between the opposing longitudinal edge portions of said inner metal layer.

4. A coaxial cable according to claim 3 wherein said joint comprises at least one of a welded joint, an adhesive joint, and a soldered joint.

5. A coaxial cable according to claim 1 wherein said outer metal layer comprises aluminum.

6. A coaxial cable according to claim 1 wherein said inner metal layer comprises copper.

7. A coaxial cable according to claim 1 wherein said tubular bimetallic layer has a thickness in a range of about 0.005 to 0.050 inches.

8. A coaxial cable according to claim 1 wherein said inner metal layer has a percentage thickness relative to an overall thickness of said tubular bimetallic layer in a range of about 1 to 30%.

9. A coaxial cable according to claim 1 further comprising another dielectric material layer filling said inner conductor.

10. A coaxial cable comprising:

an inner conductor, an outer conductor, a dielectric material layer therebetween, and an insulating jacket surrounding said outer conductor;

said outer conductor comprising a tubular bimetallic layer having a pair of opposing longitudinal edge portions at a longitudinal seam;

said tubular bimetallic layer comprising an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer bonded thereto and coextensive therewith, said inner metal layer having a higher electrical conductivity than said outer metal layer;

said opposing longitudinal edge portions being angled radially outwardly to define a pair of adjacent radially outwardly extending tabs, the tabs extending radially into said insulating jacket;

the longitudinal seam comprising a joint between the opposing longitudinal edge portions of said inner metal layer.

11. A coaxial cable according to claim 10 wherein said joint comprises at least one of a welded joint, an adhesive joint, and a soldered joint.

12. A coaxial cable according to claim 10 wherein said outer metal layer comprises aluminum;

and wherein said inner metal layer comprises copper.

13. A coaxial cable according to claim 10 wherein said tubular bimetallic layer has a thickness in a range of about 0.005 to 0.050 inches.

14. A coaxial cable according to claim 10 wherein said inner metal layer has a percentage thickness relative to an overall thickness of said tubular bimetallic layer in a range of about 1 to 30%.

15. A coaxial cable according to claim 10 further comprising another dielectric material layer filling said inner conductor.

16. A method for making a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material layer therebetween, the method comprising:

forming the inner conductor;

forming the dielectric material layer surrounding the inner conductor;

forming the outer conductor by at least forming a bimetallic strip into a tubular bimetallic layer having a pair of opposing longitudinal edge portions angled outwardly to define a pair of adjacent outwardly extending tabs at a longitudinal seam, the tubular bimetallic layer comprising an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer bonded thereto and coextensive therewith; and

forming an insulating jacket surrounding the outer conductor, the tabs extending radially into the insulating jacket.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the inner metal layer has a higher electrical conductivity than the outer metal layer.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the outer metal layer comprises aluminum.

19. A method according to claim 16 wherein the inner metal layer comprises copper.

20. A method according to claim 16 wherein the longitudinal seam comprises a joint between the opposing longitudinal edge portions of the inner metal layer.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the joint comprises at least one of a welded joint, an adhesive joint, and a soldered joint.

22. A method according to claim 16 wherein the tubular bimetallic layer has a thickness in a range of about 0.005 to 0.050 inches.

23. A method according to claim 16 wherein the inner metal layer has a percentage thickness relative to an overall thickness of the tubular bimetallic layer in a range of about 1 to 30%.