US 5,042,903 AGranted

High voltage tow cable with optical fiber

AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.

InventorPaul R. Jakubowski

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Abstract

A relatively small diameter tow cable including a plurality of high and low voltage electrical conductors and a high bandwidth optical fiber for both electrical and data transmission between an aircraft and a towed body. The tow cable is implemented by a coaxial arrangement of a central optical fiber encased by a stainless steel jacket surrounded by a first set of high voltage conductors. A second set of high voltage conductors concentrically surrounds the first set of conductors but is separated therefrom by a layer of high voltage insulation. A layer of high voltage insulation surrounds the second set of high voltage conductors and a set of relatively low voltage conductors and their respective return conductors are circumferentially spaced around this layer of insulation along with opposing sets of insulating spacers. A third layer of insulating material surrounds the low voltage conductors and the spacers. Outwardly of the third layer of insulating material are a pair of coaxial strength members comprised of synthetic aramid fibers and which are then covered with a polyester and metallic braid. An outermost jacket of semiconductive material is also provided which serves as an electrostatic drain to ground for the cable.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A coaxial tow cable for the transmission of both electrical and optical energy, comprising:

unitary central axial fiber optic conductor means and a metal casing surrounding said central axial fiber optic conductor means, said casing further having an outer surface;
a first set of electrical conductors circumferentially disposed on the outer surface of said metal casing for application of a first electrical voltage;
a first dielectric medium surrounding said first set of electrical conductors, said first dielectric having an outer surface;
a second set of electrical conductors circumferentially disposed on the outer surface of said first dielectric medium for application of a second electrical voltage;
a second dielectric medium surrounding said second set of electrical conductors, said second dielectric also having an outer surface;
a third set of electrical conductors circumferentially disposed of the outer surface of said second dielectric medium for application of a third and fourth electrical voltage;
a third dielectric medium surrounding said third set of electrical conductors;
strength member means comprised of synthetic fibers surrounding said third dielectric medium, said strength means including an outer surface;
polyester and metallic braid means disposed on the other surface of said strength member means;
and
an electrically conducting outer jacket disposed over said polyester and metallic braid means which operates as an electrostatic current drain for the tow cable.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.