CA1287891C

CA1287891C - Signal cable having an internal dielectric core

Info

Publication number: CA1287891C
Application number: CA000550028A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Noel Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-10-29
Filing date: 1987-10-23
Publication date: 1991-08-20
Also published as: WO1988003317A1; US4734544A

Abstract

SIGNAL CABLE HAVING AN INTERNAL DIELECTRIC CORE

Abstract of the Disclosure A cable in which a dielectric core is surrounded by a plurality of bundles of wire strands with the wire strands forming each bundle being twisted in a first direction and the bundles being twisted around the solid conductor in a direction opposite the first direction. Insulation means extend around the bundles of wire strands. A pair of cables configured in the above manner are provided to carry the positive and negative signals between a power source and a load.

Description

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SIGNAL CABLE HAVING AN INTERNAL DIELECTRIC CORE

Backqround of the Invention This invention relates to a cable and a cable assembly, and, more particularly, to a cable and a cable assembly for transmitting an electrical signal bet~een a power source and a load.
Various types of cables have been used to transfer electrical current, in some form of signal, between a power source and a load. For example~, the signal from an audio amplifier is transmitted by a cable to a loudspeaker for producing a replica of a signal from a program source that is introduced to the amplifierO However, there is much controversy as to the optimum type of cable that should be used in this environment.

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Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal cable in which a plurality of bundles of wire strands are provided which carry the signal and which surround a dielectric core.
It is a further object of the present invention to pro-vide a signal cable o~ the above type in which the bundles of wire strands are twisted into a rope-lay configuration and wrapped around the dielectric core.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a cable assembly formed by two cables of the above type which i6 rèlatively~1exible and thus easy to handle and install.
Toward the fulfillment of these and other objects, the cable of the present invention includes a plurality of bundles of wire steands, twisted into a rope-lay con-figuration, wrapped around a dielectric core and disposed within an insulation~
~ Description of the Drawings The above brie description, AS well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be , .: : , ., , : , , : , . ., : :

: : . , ,, :, : , , more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred but nonethe-less illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view depicting a signal cable of the present invention, with the insulation portion of the cable being removed from the end portions thereof for convenience of presentation; and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Descri tion of the Preferred Embodiment P
Re~erring specifically to the drawings the reference numeral 10 refers in general to the signal cable assembly of the present invention which comprises a first cable 12 extending in a juxtaposed, parallel relationship to a second cable 14.
The cable 12 is formed by a central, solid, rod-like dielectric core 16 surrounded by a plurali~y of bundles 18 of wire strands. The bundles 18 are twisted aoout the core 16 and, as shown by the curved lines, the wire strands ' - ~,,, ~ " ~ .' . .

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forming each bundle 18 are twisted in a directlon opposite that of the direction of twist of the bundles around the core 16.
An insulating sleeve 20 extends around the bundles 18 and is fabricated of an insulating material such as plastic or rubber and has a substantially rectangular cross section.
In a similar manner, the cable 14 comprises a dielectric core 22 which is surrounded by a plurality o bundles 24 of wire strands. The bundles 24 are twisted around the core 22 in a direction opposite to that of the twist of the wire strands forming each bundle. An insulating sleeve 26 extends around the twisted bundles 24.
The cores 16 and 22 are fabricated from a dielectric material such as polypropylene and the wire strands forming the bundles 18 and 24 are of a current carrying material, such as copper. The wire strands are of a relatively thin gauge such as 36 gauge (AWG) and, according to a preferred embodiment~ are formed into six bundles with each bundle consisting of approximately forty-eight strands. The wire strands of each bundle are wound approximately one turn per inch and the bundles 18 and 24 are wound approximately three 9~

turns per inch around their respective cores 16 and 22. As shown in Fig. 2 the sleeves 20 and 26 are disposed in a jux taposed parallel relationship with their correspondinq sidewall portions being molded together.
In Fig. lt the insulating sleeves 20 and 26 of the cables 12 and 14, respectively, have been removed from the end portions of cables to show the uninsulated end portions of each cable which are connected to a power source and/or load. One of the cables 12 or 14 can carry the positive signal and the other can carry the negative si~nal with the respective uninsulated ends of each cable being connected, via conventional connectors, such as spade lugs, banana plugs, or the like, to the positive and negative terminals of the powee source and load. The bundles 18 thus together function as one conductor and the bundles 24 function together as one conductor, it being understood that, since the dielectric cores 16 and 22 are nonconductive they are not connected to the power source or load.
As an alternative embodiment, in order to reduce costs the dielectric cores 16 and 22 can be replaced by a wire or conductor surrounded by insulation and non-terminated as discussed aboveO

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Several advantages result from the foregoing. For example, by virtue of the opposite twisting o the wire strands forming each bundle and the bundles themselves in combination with the dielectric core, a cable is provided which is flexible and easy to handle and install.
Other modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention therein.

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Claims

1. A cable comprising a dielectric core, a plurality of bundles of wire strands extending around said core, the wire strands forming each bundle being twisted in a first direc-tion and the bundles being twisted around said core in a direction opposite said first direction, and insulation means extending around said bundles of wire strands.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said dielectric core is in the form of an elongated, rod-like, solid dielectric material extending for the entire length of said cable.

3. A signal cable assembly comprising a pair of cables adapted to respectively carry the positive and negative signals between a power source and a load, each cable comprising a solid conductor, a plurality of bundles of wire strands extending around said solid conductor, the wire strands forming each bundle being twisted in a first direc-tion and the bundles being twisted around said solid conduc-tor in a direction opposite said first direction and insulation means extending around said bundles of wire strands.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said dielectric core is in the form of an elongated, rod-like, solid dielectric material extending for the entire length of its respective cable.

5. The cable assembly of claim 3 wherein said cables are disposed in a juxtaposed parallel relationship with their respective insulation means being molded together.