OVERHEAD COMMUNICATION CABLE

Abstract

This utility model pertains to electrical engineering, specifically to cables used in overhead lines of digital communication systems. The technical result consists of increasing the reliability of an overhead communication cable by maintaining stable electrical and mechanical characteristics, achieved by absorbing and blocking the longitudinal spread of moisture should it enter the interelement space. The cable comprises a core consisting of several insulated conductive conductors, an outer sheath, and a sheathed cable located parallel to the conductive conductors. The cable is made of twisted galvanized steel wires. A water-blocking element comprising a superabsorbent polymer is located in the interelement space of the cable along the core. 6 pp., 1 fig.

Description

[0001] The device belongs to the field of electrical engineering, namely to cables used in laying overhead lines of digital communication systems, and can be used to transmit electrical signals in broadband subscriber networks, traditional telephone networks, Internet telephony, etc.

[0002] To ensure the mechanical strength of long-span overhead communication lines, a steel cable-supported structure is used. The steel cable, made of wire, supports all major mechanical loads: static loads from the cable and cable's own weight; dynamic loads from wind, including vibrations and aerodynamic oscillations such as aeroelastic self-oscillations; snow and ice loads, which can increase the cable's weight in winter; and loads arising from temperature fluctuations and causing cyclic thermal expansion and contraction.

[0003] The closest in technical essence is the "SUSPENDED COMMUNICATION CABLE" under patent for utility model No. 240968, dated November 25, 2025, published January 30, 2026, IPC H01B 11 / 02, H01B 7 / 22, comprising insulated conductive cores in a sheath and a sheathed cable located parallel to the conductive cores. The cable is made of twisted galvanized steel wires. The cable sheath is connected to the cable sheath by a jumper, wherein the cable sheath, jumper, and cable sheath are produced in a single technological operation, and the sheath is applied by crimping onto the heated cable.

[0004] During outdoor overhead communication cable operation, there is a risk of damage to the outer sheath due to abrasive winds carrying dust and sand particles, tree branches, bird claws, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause microcracks. Moisture penetration into the cable core through damaged areas of the sheath, as well as through the end of the cable due to poorly installed joints, poses a particular danger. Moisture penetration into the overhead cable core has a number of negative consequences: the longitudinal spread of water through the inter-core space leads to a sharp deterioration in electrical parameters, specifically increased signal attenuation and reduced insulation resistance. The presence of moisture causes electrochemical corrosion of the conductive copper conductors and contributes to the development of biodegradation in the polymer components of the structure.The known device does not contain any means that prevent the penetration and longitudinal spread of moisture.

[0005] The objective of the claimed technical solution is to increase the reliability of the overhead communication cable when exposed to moisture.

[0006] The problem is solved by means of an overhead communication cable comprising a core made of several insulated conductive cores, an outer sheath and a sheathed cable located parallel to the conductive cores, wherein the cable is made in the form of galvanized steel wires twisted together, wherein a water-blocking element including a superabsorbent polymer is located in the inter-element space of the cable along the core; the water-blocking element is made in the form of a non-woven tape impregnated with superabsorbent polymer powder and wound with an overlap of at least 25%; the water-blocking element is made in the form of a combined thread with a polyester base impregnated with a superabsorbent polymer; the water-blocking element is made in the form of superabsorbent fibers; the water-blocking element contains a corrosion inhibitor and an antiseptic additive.

[0007] The essence of the technical solution is illustrated by the drawing, where Fig. 1 is a cross-section of the overhead communication cable.

[0008] Fig. 1 shows: a suspended communication cable 1, a cable sheath 2, a water-blocking element 3, conductive cores 4, insulation 5, a cable sheath 6, a cable 7, a jumper 8.

[0009] The overhead communication cable is made as follows.

[0010] The overhead communication cable 1 comprises a core of a pair of insulated conductive cores 4 enclosed in an outer sheath 2. In specific implementation cases, the cable 1 may contain two, four, six, eight or more conductive cores 4. The conductive cores 4 are made of metal, for example, copper. Optionally, the conductive cores 4 are made stranded. The stranded nature of the cores 4 ensures their increased elasticity and flexibility. The conductive cores 4 are insulated with a dielectric material. Optionally, the insulation 5 of the conductive cores 4 is made of polyolefin, for example, polyethylene. In a specific case, the insulation 5 can be made of cross-linked polyethylene, for example, by gamma irradiation. Polyethylene is a non-polar dielectric and consists of electrically neutral molecules and atoms that do not possess electrical properties and do not affect the signal.In other specific implementations of cable 1, insulation 5 may be made of polyvinyl chloride plastic, silicone rubber, rubber, polyurethane, fluoroplastic, and other materials with characteristics appropriate to the task at hand. Optionally, pairs of insulated conductive cores 4 are twisted into individual bundles. Optionally, conductive cores 1 are protected by a shield, such as a braid.

[0011] The design of the suspension cable 1 includes a strength element in the form of a cable 7 made of twisted galvanized steel wires. The cable 7, located above the conductive cores 4 parallel to them, serves as a load-bearing element during installation between spaced supports and increases the resistance of the cable 1 to tensile deformations. The cable 7 is located in a sheath 6. Sheath 6 of the cable 7 is made of the same material as sheath 2 of the cable 1, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. Optionally, sheath 6 of the cable 7 is connected to sheath 2 of the cable 1 via a jumper 8. Jumper 8 is made of the same material as sheaths 2 and 6, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. The jumper 8, the sheath 2 of the cable 1 and the sheath 6 of the cable 7 are made in one technological operation, for example, using a cable extruder, which ensures the structural integrity and homogeneity of the external insulation system of the cable 1.

[0012] A water-blocking element 3 is located in the inter-element space of cable 1 along the core. Water-blocking element 3 comprises a superabsorbent polymer. The superabsorbent polymer can be cross-linked sodium polyacrylate, a copolymer of acrylamide and sodium acrylate, potassium polyacrylate, or another water-swelling polymer capable of absorbing and retaining moisture, increasing in volume and forming a gel-like mass. In the specific embodiment of cable 1, water-blocking element 3 is implemented as a non-woven tape, wound with an overlap of at least 25%, impregnated with superabsorbent polymer powder. This design solution ensures the formation of a continuous barrier along the entire length of the cable without process gaps and guarantees the absence of through-channels for moisture migration.The non-woven base ensures uniform polymer distribution, high winding efficiency during extrusion, and a tight fit with the core elements, allowing for immediate moisture containment upon penetration. In another specific embodiment of cable 1, water-blocking element 3 is made of a combined thread with a polyester base impregnated with a superabsorbent polymer, providing high mechanical strength and elasticity to element 3 while maintaining compact dimensions. The polyester base provides high tensile strength and resistance to deformation. This design allows for easy integration of element 3 into the inter-element space during core twisting, ensuring uniform moisture protection along the entire length of cable 1.In another specific embodiment of cable 1, water-blocking element 3 is made of superabsorbent fibers, which ensure uniform contact with the insulation surfaces 5 of conductive cores 4 due to the high flexibility and elasticity of the fibrous structure. The fibers have a maximum specific surface area in contact with moisture, accelerating the absorption process and gel formation. Optionally, water-blocking element 3 further contains a corrosion inhibitor, such as benzotriazole or its derivatives. The inhibitor prevents the electrochemical dissolution of copper and the formation of oxide films, which impair electrical conductivity and increase signal attenuation, thereby maintaining the electrical parameters of cable 1 throughout its service life. Optionally, the water-blocking element further contains an antiseptic additive, such as 2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, which prevents the growth of mold and bacteria on the surface of the cable elements.Suppression of microbial and fungal growth prevents the formation of biofilms that can retain moisture and create conductive bridges that degrade the dielectric properties of the cable 1.

[0013] The presence of a water-blocking element 3, which includes a superabsorbent polymer, ensures rapid absorption and blocks the longitudinal propagation of moisture in the inter-element space of the overhead communication cable 1. This ensures the maintenance of stable electrical and mechanical characteristics of the structure, prevents corrosion of the conductive conductors and biological damage, which significantly increases the reliability of the overhead communication cable 1 under real-life operating conditions.

[0014] The technical result of the claimed technical solution is to increase the reliability of an overhead communication cable due to the overhead communication cable containing a core made of several insulated conductive cores, an outer sheath and a sheathed cable located parallel to the conductive cores, wherein the cable is made in the form of galvanized steel wires twisted together, wherein in the inter-element space of the cable along the core there is a water-blocking element including a superabsorbent polymer; the water-blocking element is made in the form of a non-woven tape impregnated with superabsorbent polymer powder and wound with an overlap of at least 25%; the water-blocking element is made in the form of a combined thread with a polyester base impregnated with a superabsorbent polymer; the water-blocking element is made in the form of superabsorbent fibers; the water-blocking element contains a corrosion inhibitor and an antiseptic additive.

Claims

1. A suspended communication cable comprising a core of several insulated conductive cores, an outer sheath, and a sheathed cable located parallel to the conductive cores, wherein the cable is made in the form of galvanized steel wires twisted together, characterized in that a water-blocking element including a superabsorbent polymer is located in the inter-element space of the cable along the core.

2. A cable according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the water-blocking element is made in the form of a non-woven tape impregnated with superabsorbent polymer powder.

3. The cable according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the non-woven tape is wound with an overlap of at least 25%.

4. A cable according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the water-blocking element is made in the form of a combined thread with a polyester base impregnated with a superabsorbent polymer.

5. The cable according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the water-blocking element is made in the form of superabsorbent fibers.

6. The cable according to item 1, characterized in that the water-blocking element additionally contains a corrosion inhibitor.

7. The cable according to item 1, characterized in that the water-blocking element additionally contains an antiseptic additive.

Images