Compositions, methods, and devices providing shielding in communications cables

• US 9,711,261 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cable Components Group, LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cable Components Group, LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Braun, David, Glew, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Courtney
• Assistant Examiner(s): Augustin, Christopher L
• Application Number:
  US13/795,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20130248240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 174110 R, 174113 R, 174113 C, 174115, 174116
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/08 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 7/00 Use of ingredients characterised by shape
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 27/12 containing fluorine atoms
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/002 Pair constructions
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/04 with pairs or quads mutually positioned to reduce cross-talk
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/08 Screens specially adapted for reducing cross-talk
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/1895 Particular features or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/004 with conductive additives or conductive layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/445 from vinylfluorides or other fluoroethylenic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/295 using material resistant to flame
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0081 Electromagnetic shielding materials, e.g. EMI, RFI shielding H05K9/0003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0098 for shielding electrical cables

Abstract

Compositions, devices, and methods for providing shielding communications cables are provided. In some embodiments, compositions including electrically conductive elements are disclosed. In other embodiments, cable separators, tapes, and nonwoven materials including various electrically conductive elements are disclosed.

Claims

1. A separator for use in a telecommunication cable, comprising

a polymeric preformed elongate support element extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having at least one channel adapted for receiving a plurality of conductors,

wherein said elongate support element comprises at least one base fluoropolymer and a plurality of electrically conductive elements distributed in said at least one fluoropolymer;

wherein said electrically conductive elements have a plurality of different shapes comprising a first plurality of elements having a needle-like shape and a second plurality of elements having a flake-like shape;

wherein said plurality of needle-like shaped elements have a length in a range of about 10 microns to about 1000 microns; and

wherein said plurality of flake-like shaped elements have an average maximum cross-sectional dimension in a range of about 600 microns to about 6000 microns.

2. The separator of claim 1, wherein at least some of said electrically conductive elements are formed at least partially of a metal.

3. The separator of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of said conductive elements primarily-reflect electromagnetic radiation in a range of about 1.5 GHz to about 40 GHz.

4. The separator of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of said conductive elements primarily dissipate electromagnetic radiation in a range of about 1.5 GHz to about 40 GHz.

5. The separator of claim 1, wherein the separator exhibits a DC electrical conductivity along an axial direction in a range of about 1×

10³ Siemens/meter to about 3.5×

10⁷ Siemens/meter.

6. The separator of claim 1, wherein the separator exhibits a sheet resistance in a range of about 1×

10<sup>−

5</sup> ohms per square to about 1×

10⁵ ohms per square.

7. The separator of claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of said conductive elements to said one or more fluoropolymers is in a range of about 1 percent to about 30 percent.

8. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least 50% by weight of said separator.

9. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least about 60% by weight of said separator.

10. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least about 70% by weight of said separator.

11. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least about 75% by weight of said separator.

12. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least about 80% by weight of said separator.

13. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least about 85% by weight of said separator.

14. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least about 90% by weight of said separator.

15. The separator of claim 1, wherein said at least one base fluoropolymer comprises at least about 95% by weight of said separator.

16. The separator of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive elements comprise at least about 5% by weight of said separator.

17. The separator of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive elements comprise at least about 7% by weight of said separator.

18. The separator of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive elements comprise at least about 10% by weight of said separator.

19. The separator of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive elements comprise at least about 15% by weight of said separator.

20. The separator of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive elements comprise at least about 20% by weight of said separator.

21. The separator of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive elements comprise at least about 25% by weight of said separator.

23. The separator of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive elements shield electromagnetic radiation in a range of about 1.5 GHz to about 40 GHz.

22. A separator for use in a telecommunication cable, comprising:

a polymeric preformed elongate support element extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having at least one channel adapted for receiving a plurality of conductors, wherein said elongate support element comprises at least one base fluoropolymer; and

a plurality of electrically conductive elements distributed in said at least one fluoropolymer,

wherein said plurality of electrically conductive elements comprise a first plurality of elements having a needle-like shape and a length in a range of about 10 microns to about 1000 microns;

wherein said plurality of needle-like electrically conductive elements exhibit an aspect ratio greater than 75; and

wherein said plurality of electrically conductive elements further comprise a second plurality of elements having a flake-like shape that exhibit an average maximum cross-sectional dimension in a range of 600 microns to 6000 microns.