Hybrid cable with low density filling compound
View Patent ↗A hybrid or composite cable may include a core component and a plurality of buffer tubes positioned around the core component. The core component may include a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors and a filling compound positioned between and around the plurality of twisted pairs. The filling compound may have a density of less than approximately 0.70 g/cm 3 and may further include a plurality of microspheres. Each of the plurality of buffer tubes may be configured to house at least one optical fiber. Additionally, a jacket may be formed around the core component and the plurality of buffer tubes.
1. A cable, comprising:
a core component comprising:
a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors; and
a filling compound positioned between and around the plurality of twisted pairs, the filling compound having a density less than 0.70 g/cm 3 and a critical yield stress of at least 30 Pa, the filling compound comprising a plurality of microspheres;
a plurality of buffer tubes positioned around the core component, each of the plurality of buffer tubes configured to house at least one optical fiber; and
a jacket formed around the core component and the plurality of buffer tubes.
2. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the critical yield stress of the filling compound rises between 0.15 and 0.50 Pa for every 10° C. rise in temperature between 20° C. and 80° C.
3. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the filling compound is further positioned within at least one of the plurality of buffer tubes.
4. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the core component further comprises a wrap formed around the plurality of twisted pairs.
5. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of twisted pairs comprises twenty-five twisted pairs.
6. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of buffer tubes comprises sixteen buffer tubes.
7. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of buffer tubes are helically twisted around the core component.
8. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises an outer diameter that is less than or equal to 0.80 inches.
9. A cable, comprising:
a core component comprising:
at least twenty-five twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors; and
a filling compound positioned between and around the twisted pairs, the filling compound having a density less than 0.70 g/cm 3 and a critical yield stress of at least 30 Pa, the filling compound comprising a plurality of microspheres, wherein the critical yield stress of the filling compound rises between 0.15 and 0.50 Pa for every 10° C. rise in temperature between 20° C. and 80° C.;
a plurality of buffer tubes positioned around the core component, each of the plurality of buffer tubes configured to house at least one optical fiber; and
a jacket formed around the core component and the plurality of buffer tubes.
10. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the filling compound is further positioned within at least one of the plurality of buffer tubes.
11. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the core component further comprises a wrap formed around the twisted pairs.
12. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of buffer tubes comprises sixteen buffer tubes.
13. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of buffer tubes are helically twisted around the core component.
14. The cable of claim 9 , wherein the cable comprises an outer diameter that is less than or equal to 0.80 inches.
15. A cable, comprising:
a core component comprising:
a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors;
a wrap formed around the plurality of twisted pairs; and
a filling compound positioned between and around the plurality of twisted pairs within the wrap, the filling compound having a density less than 0.70 g/cm 3 and a critical yield stress of at least 30 Pa, the filling compound comprising a plurality of microspheres;
a plurality of buffer tubes positioned around the core component, each of the plurality of buffer tubes configured to house at least one optical fiber; and
a jacket formed around the core component and the plurality of buffer tubes.
16. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the critical yield stress of the filling compound rises between 0.15 and 0.50 Pa for every 10° C. rise in temperature between 20° C. and 80° C.
17. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the filling compound is further positioned within at least one of the plurality of buffer tubes.
18. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of twisted pairs comprises at least twenty-five twisted pairs and the plurality of buffer tubes comprises at least sixteen buffer tubes.
19. The cable of claim 15 , wherein the cable comprises an outer diameter that is less than or equal to 0.80 inches.
20. The cable of claim 1 , wherein the filling compound has a density of less than 0.45 g/cm 3 .