Enhanced data cable with cross-twist cabled core profile

• US 6,596,944 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Belden Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cable Design Technologies, Inc. (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Clark, William T., MacDonald, Peter D., Dellagala, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau N.
• Application Number:
  US09/532,837
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 174/113.R, 174/113.C, 174/131.A, 174/27, 385/101, 385/103, 385/105
• US Class Current: 174/113.00C
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/06 with means for reducing effects of electromagnetic or electrostatic disturbances, e.g. screens
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/08 Screens specially adapted for reducing cross-talk

Abstract

A cable exhibiting reduced crosstalk between transmission media includes a core having a profile with a shape which defines spaces or channels to maintain a spacing between transmission media in a finished cable. The core is formed of a conductive material to further reduce crosstalk. A method of producing a cable introduces a core as described above into the cable assembly and imparts a cable closing twist to the assembly.

Claims

1. An unshielded data cable comprising:

a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors;

a non-conductive central core having a surface that defines a plurality of channels within which the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors are individually disposed;

an outer jacket that maintains the plurality of twisted pairs of conductors in position with respect to the non-conductive central core, the outer jacket being formed of a non-conductive material; and

wherein the unshielded data cable does not include a shield that encloses any of the plurality of conductors and the non-conductive central core.

2. The unshielded data cable of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive central core comprises a plurality of fins extending radially outward from a center of the core to at least an outer boundary defined by an outer dimension of the twisted pairs of conductors.

3. The unshielded data cable of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of fins has substantially parallel sides.

4. The cable as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the fins is bent at a tip by the outer jacket.

5. The unshielded data cable of claim 2, wherein the non-conductive central core comprising the plurality of fins is made of a fire resistant plastic.

6. The unshielded data cable of claim 2, wherein the plurality of channels are defined by the plurality of fins.

7. The unshielded data cable of claim 2, wherein the plurality of fins position the plurality of twisted pairs in a substantially 90°

relationship.

8. The unshielded data cable of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive central core comprises four fins, each fin extending radially outward from a center of the core at substantially right angles to at least one other of the four fins.

9. The unshielded data cable of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive central core comprises:

at least one of a solid fluoropolymer, a foamed fluoropolymer, foamed polyvinyl chloride, and solid polyvinyl chloride.

10. The unshielded data cable of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive central core comprises a cavity.

11. The unshielded data cable of claim 10, further comprising a fiber optic element disposed within the cavity.

12. The unshielded data cable of claim 10, further comprising a drain wire disposed within the cavity.