Communication wire
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cable having a central axis, the cable comprising:
- a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, wherein each of the conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors is covered by a separate insulation layer; and
a jacket defining a central passage in which the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors is located, the central passage including air, the air in the central passage occupying a volume between the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, the jacket including legs that project inwardly toward the central axis of the cable, the jacket defining channels located between the legs, the channels including air, the air in the channels being in fluid communication with the air in the central passage that occupies the volume between the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, wherein each of the channels is defined by at least one curved surface, the channels having lengths that run along a length of the jacket, and the number of channels being greater than the number of twisted pairs of conductors, wherein the legs are attached to the jacket at outer ends and have free, unattached inner ends, and the channels each have an open end that faces inwardly toward the central axis of the cable and a closed end, wherein each of the legs also defines at least one sharp corner, a depth along a radial direction of each channel being greater than a thickness of the insulation layer of each conductor of the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved insulated conductor with a low dielectric constant and reduced materials costs. The conductor (12) extends along a longitudinal axis and an insulation (14, 14<1>) surrounds the conductor (12). At least on channel (16, 16<1>) in the insulation (14, 14<1>) extends generally along the longitudinal axis to form an insulated conductor. Apparatuses and methods of manufacturing the improved insulated conductors are also disclosed.
72 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A cable having a central axis, the cable comprising:
a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, wherein each of the conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors is covered by a separate insulation layer; and a jacket defining a central passage in which the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors is located, the central passage including air, the air in the central passage occupying a volume between the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, the jacket including legs that project inwardly toward the central axis of the cable, the jacket defining channels located between the legs, the channels including air, the air in the channels being in fluid communication with the air in the central passage that occupies the volume between the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, wherein each of the channels is defined by at least one curved surface, the channels having lengths that run along a length of the jacket, and the number of channels being greater than the number of twisted pairs of conductors, wherein the legs are attached to the jacket at outer ends and have free, unattached inner ends, and the channels each have an open end that faces inwardly toward the central axis of the cable and a closed end, wherein each of the legs also defines at least one sharp corner, a depth along a radial direction of each channel being greater than a thickness of the insulation layer of each conductor of the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A data transmission cable comprising:
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four or fewer twisted pairs of data transmission conductors, the four or fewer twisted pairs of data transmission conductors defining a core, wherein each of the conductors of the four or fewer twisted pairs of data transmission conductors is covered by a separate insulation layer; and a jacket defining an interior passage that extends along a length of the jacket, the interior passage including a central region including air and a peripheral region, the four or fewer twisted pairs of data transmission conductors being positioned within the central region, the air in the central region occupying a volume between the four or fewer twisted pairs of conductors, the peripheral region of the interior passage including a plurality of channels that are circumferentially spaced relative to one another about the central region of the interior passage, the plurality of channels defined between legs of the jacket that project inwardly toward the central region, the channels including air, the air in the channels being in fluid communication with the air in the volume of the central region between the four or fewer twisted pairs of data transmission conductors, the number of channels being greater than the number of twisted pairs of data transmission conductors, wherein each of the channels has a transverse cross-sectional shape defined at least in part by a curved surface, the channels having lengths that run along a length of the jacket, wherein the legs are attached to the jacket at outer ends and have free, unattached inner ends, and the channels each have an open end that faces inwardly toward the central region and a closed end, wherein each of the legs also defines at least one sharp corner, a depth along a radial direction of each channel being greater than a thickness of the insulation layer of each conductor of the four or fewer twisted pairs of data transmission conductors. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A cable having a central axis, the cable comprising:
a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors twisted around each other to define a core, wherein each of the conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors is covered by a separate insulation layer; and a jacket defining a central passage in which the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors is located, the central passage including air, the air in the central passage occupying a volume between the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, the jacket including legs that project inwardly toward the central axis of the cable, the jacket defining channels located between the legs, the channels including air, the air in the channels being in fluid communication with the air in the central passage that occupies the volume between the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors, wherein, when the cable is viewed in a transverse cross-section, each of the channels is defined by a surface provided with a curvature, the channels having lengths that run along a length of the jacket, the number of channels being greater than the number of twisted pairs of conductors, and the core including a separator, wherein the legs are attached to the jacket at outer ends and have free, unattached inner ends, and the channels each have an open end that faces inwardly toward the central axis of the cable and a closed end, wherein each of the legs also defines at least one sharp corner, a depth along a radial direction of each channel being greater than a thickness of the insulation layer of each conductor of the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
Specification