Communication cables with separators formed from discrete components of insulation material
View Patent ↗A communication cable may include a plurality of twisted pairs and a plurality of discrete components of insulation material positioned in the interstices between the plurality of twisted pairs. Each of the discrete components may have a largest dimension that is no greater than approximately 250 microns. The discrete components may provide separation between two or more of the twisted pairs. A jacket may be formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the plurality of discrete components.
1. A cable comprising:
a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors;
a plurality of loose discrete dielectric components that are not connected or bonded together positioned in the interstices between the plurality of twisted pairs, each of the discrete dielectric components having a largest dimension that is no greater than approximately 250 microns; and
a jacket formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the plurality of discrete dielectric components.
2. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discrete dielectric components are further positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs and the jacket.
3. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discrete dielectric components have a bulk density with a dielectric constant between approximately 1.7 and approximately 3.4.
4. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discrete dielectric components comprise shredded insulation material.
5. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the shredded insulation material is the same material as that used to insulate the plurality of twisted pairs.
6. The cable of claim 1 , wherein none of the plurality of discrete dielectric components are connected to a common substrate layer.
7. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discrete dielectric components comprise sections of dielectric components longitudinally spaced from one another along a longitudinal length of the cable.
8. The cable of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive blended with the plurality of discrete dielectric components, the at least one additive comprising one or more of (i) a water blocking material, (ii) a super absorbent polymer, or (iii) a flame retardant material.
9. A cable comprising:
a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors that are individually insulated with an insulation material;
a plurality of loose discrete components of the insulation material that are not connected or bonded together positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs, each of the discrete components each having a largest dimension that is no greater than approximately 250 microns; and
a jacket formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the plurality of dielectric components.
10. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of discrete components are further positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs and the jacket.
11. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of discrete components have a bulk density with a dielectric constant between approximately 1.7 and approximately 3.4.
12. The cable of claim 9 , wherein none of the plurality of discrete components are connected to a common substrate layer.
13. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of discrete components comprise sections of discrete components longitudinally spaced from one another along a longitudinal length of the cable.
14. The cable of claim 9 , further comprising at least one additive blended with the plurality of discrete components, the at least one additive comprising one or more of (i) a water blocking material, (ii) a super absorbent polymer, or (iii) a flame retardant material.
15. A cable comprising:
a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors;
a plurality of discrete dielectric components positioned in the interstices between the plurality of twisted pairs and having a bulk density with a dielectric constant between approximately 1.7 and approximately 3.4, each of the discrete components having a largest dimension that is no greater than approximately 250 microns; and
a jacket formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the plurality of discrete dielectric components.
16. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of discrete components comprise loose components that are not connected or bonded together.
17. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of discrete components are further positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs and the jacket.
18. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of discrete components comprise shredded insulation material.
19. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of discrete components comprise sections of dielectric components longitudinally spaced from one another along a longitudinal length of the cable.
20. The cable of claim 15 , further comprising at least one additive blended with the plurality of discrete dielectric components, the at least one additive comprising one or more of (i) a water blocking material, (ii) a super absorbent polymer, or (iii) a flame retardant material.