Hybrid Cable Stranding with Armor for EMI Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hybrid cables for fiber-to-the-antenna applications require cumbersome cabling arrangements with separate power and fiber optic cables, leading to redundant armoring, wasted space, and high attenuation of optical fibers.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid cable design that strands electrical-conductor and fiber-optic elements together under a single jacket, with armor providing electromagnetic interference shielding and grounding, and a central element with closely sized and spaced stranded elements to reduce attenuation and improve flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate power cables and fiber optic cables are used, then power delivery and high bandwidth capabilities are achieved, but handling and routing becomes cumbersome and space is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecabling capabilityVSAvoidcabling arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate power cables and fiber optic cables into a single hybrid cable assembly. The cable includes both electrical conductors for power delivery and optical fibers for high bandwidth data transmission, unified under a common jacket with shared armor protection. This merging eliminates the need for separate cable routing and handling while maintaining both power delivery and high bandwidth capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate power cables and fiber optic cables are used, then power and data functions are provided, but redundant armoring and jacketing are required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidmaterial

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates redundant armoring and jacketing by providing a single shared protective structure for both power and fiber elements. The hybrid cable includes one common jacket and one set of armor layers that protect both the electrical conductors and optical fibers simultaneously, replacing the separate protective structures that would be required for individual cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cables are routed, then power and fiber functions are delivered, but space in ducts and routing guides is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction deliveryVSAvoidspace occupancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple cable functions into a single hybrid cable that occupies less space in ducts and routing guides. By integrating both power delivery and high bandwidth data transmission capabilities into one cable assembly with unified dimensions, the invention reduces the total volume required compared to routing separate power and fiber optic cables through the same pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Volume of moving object

If hybrid cable combines conductors and fiber optics, then space efficiency is improved, but electro-magnetic interference may affect optical fibers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable sizeVSAvoidelectro-magnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces armor layers as an intermediary protective barrier between the electrical conductors and optical fibers within the hybrid cable. This armor provides electro-magnetic interference shielding that protects the optical fibers from potential interference generated by the adjacent electrical conductors, while still allowing both elements to coexist in the same cable assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The hybrid cable design achieves reduced attenuation of optical fibers, improved mechanical stability, and space efficiency, while maintaining low electrical resistance and flexibility, enhancing long-term performance and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The armor is configured to provide electro-magnetic interference shielding and grounding as well as crush and impact resistance for the hybrid cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interference shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

The one or more fiber-optic elements include optical fibers within a polymeric tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

The electrical-conductor elements include a metallic conductor jacketed in a polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9188756B2Hybrid cable with fiber-optic and conductor elements

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC

AI summary

A hybrid cable includes a cable jacket, elements stranded within the cable jacket, and armor between the elements and the cable jacket. The armor is configured to provide electro-magnetic interference shielding and grounding as well as crush and impact resistance for the hybrid cable. The elements include electrical-conductor elements and one or more fiber-optic elements. The electrical-conductor elements include a metallic conductor jacketed in a polymer, where the electrical-conductor elements are each within the range of 10 American wire gauge (AWG) to 1\0 AWG. The one or more fiber-optic elements include optical fibers within a polymeric tube. At least six of the elements are stranded side-by-side with one another around a central element, which is one of the electrical-conductor elements or one of the one or more fiber-optic elements.