# US 10,121,571 B1 · Communications cables incorporating separator structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,121,571 B1 - Document ID: US10121571B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/252,775 - Filed: 2016-08-31 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-31 - Assignees: Superior Essex International LP - Applicants: Superior Essex International LP - Inventors: Christopher W. McNutt; Amir Sekhavat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10121571B1 ## CPC - H01B 11/06: with means for reducing effects of electromagnetic or electrostatic disturbances, e.g. screens - H01B 7/0216: {Two layers} - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) ## Abstract A cable may include a plurality of longitudinally extending twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors. A longitudinally extending separator may be positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs. The separator may include at least one portion that extends beyond and is wrapped at least partially around an outer periphery of the plurality of twisted pairs. The at least one extending portion may have a variable thickness or one or more ribs may be formed on a surface of the extending portion. Additionally, a jacket may be formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the separator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cable comprising: a plurality of longitudinally extending twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors; a longitudinally extending separator positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs and comprising at least one portion that extends beyond and is wrapped at least partially around an outer periphery of the plurality of twisted pairs such that the at least one extending portion contacts another portion of the separator, wherein a plurality of ribs are formed only on the at least one extending portion of the separator; and a jacket formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the separator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cable of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs extend in a common direction from a surface of the at least one extending portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cable of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs comprise at least one of (i) a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, (ii) a plurality of ribs formed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal direction, or (iii) a plurality of ribs spaced along a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The cable of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs extend from the surface towards the jacket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cable of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs has one of (i) an approximately rectangular cross-sectional shape, (ii) an approximately convex cross-sectional shape, (iii) an approximately triangular cross-sectional shape, or (iv) an approximately trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cable of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises a plurality of extending portions that are each wrapped at least partially around the outer periphery of the plurality of twisted pairs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cable of claim 1, wherein the separator is formed from one of (i) an extruded polymeric material or (ii) a foamed polymeric material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cable of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises a central portion and the at least one extending portion extends from the central portion, and wherein the central portion comprises one of (i) an approximately cross-shaped cross-section, (ii) an approximately flat cross-section, or (ii) approximately T-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cable of claim 1, further comprising shielding material incorporated into the separator. ### Claim 10 A cable comprising: a jacket defining a longitudinally extending cavity; a plurality of longitudinally extending twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors positioned within the cavity; and a longitudinally extending separator positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs and comprising a plurality of projections, each projection comprising: a first portion positioned between a respective adjacent set of the plurality of twisted pairs and extending to an outer periphery defined by the adjacent set of the twisted pairs; and a second portion that extends from the first portion beyond the outer periphery of the plurality of twisted pairs and that forms at least a partial outer wrap around the plurality of twisted pairs, wherein each of the second portions comprises a respective plurality of ribs extending in a common direction from a surface of the extending portion, each of the plurality of ribs having a maximum thickness corresponding to a desired separation distance between the jacket and the plurality of twisted pairs, and wherein each of the second portions is wrapped in a single and common direction around the outer periphery of the plurality of twisted pairs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The cable of claim 10, wherein the respective plurality of ribs extend from the one or more extending portions towards the jacket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The cable of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs has one of (i) an approximately rectangular cross-sectional shape, (ii) an approximately convex cross-sectional shape, (iii) an approximately triangular cross-sectional shape, or (iv) an approximately trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The cable of claim 10, wherein the separator is formed from one of (i) an extruded polymeric material or (ii) a foamed polymeric material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The cable of claim 10, wherein the plurality of projections of the separator comprise one of (i) an approximately cross-shaped cross-section, (ii) an approximately flat cross-section, or (ii) approximately T-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The cable of claim 10, further comprising shielding material incorporated into the separator. ### Claim 16 A cable comprising: a plurality of longitudinally extending twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors; a longitudinally extending separator comprising: a central portion positioned between the plurality of twisted pairs and extending between one or more adjacent sets of the plurality of twisted pairs to an outer periphery defined by the plurality of twisted pairs; and a plurality of extending portions that extend from the central portion beyond an outer periphery of the of twisted pairs, wherein the plurality of extending portions are wrapped around the outer periphery in a single and common direction, each of the extending portions comprising a respective plurality of thickness variations, wherein each of the plurality of extending portions contacts another portion of the separator when wrapped around the outer periphery; and a jacket formed around the plurality of twisted pairs and the separator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The cable of claim 16, wherein at least one of the thickness variations has a maximum thickness that corresponds to a desired separation distance between the jacket and the plurality of twisted pairs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The cable of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of extending portions comprises a plurality of ribs extending from a surface of the at least one extending portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The cable of claim 16, wherein the separator is formed from one of (i) an extruded polymeric material or (ii) a foamed polymeric material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The cable of claim 16, further comprising shielding material incorporated into the separator.