US 6,114,632 A · Integrated power and data communication hybrid cable assembly for local area computer network

Abstract

An integrated power and data communications hybrid cable assembly for local area computer network is disclosed. The network includes a hybrid cable integrating both power supply and data communications into one physical cable. For each computer workstation served, a length of cable extends between a panel and an outlet. The panel includes a cabinet defining an interior region and an interior barrier dividing the cabinet interior region into a power section and a data section. The interior barrier includes barium ferrite to magnetically isolate the data section from the power section. The hybrid cable is electrically coupled between an outlet and the panel to provide power to a computer workstation electrically coupled the outlet and to provide for data transfer between the panel and the computer workstation. The hybrid cable includes a first group of one or more conductors for supplying power; a second group of one or more conductors for transmitting voice or data signals; a first insulation sheath enclosing the first group of one or more conductors for insulating the second group of one or more conductors from a magnetic field produced by the first group of one or more conductors; a second insulation sheath, similar in construction to the first insulation sheath, enclosing the second group of one or more conductors; and a third insulation sheath enclosing both the first and second insulation sheaths. The outlet includes power and data female connectors adapted to receive a male connectors from a computer workstation device.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A hybrid cable electrically coupled between a panel and an outlet and providing for power transmission or bower distribution and data or voice communications between the panel and a computer workstation electrically coupled to the outlet, the hybrid cable comprising:

(a) a first group of one or more conductors for supplying power;
(b) a second group of one or more conductors for transmitting voice or data signals;
(c) a first insulation sheath enclosing the first group of one or more conductors for insulating the second group of one or more conductors from a magnetic field produced by the first group of one or more conductors, the first insulation sheath comprising an inner layer of organic compound material overlaid by an outer layer of magnetic material;
(d) a second insulation sheath enclosing the second group of one or more conductors for additionally insulating the second group of one or more conductors from the magnetic field produced by the first group of one or more conductors, the second insulation sheath comprising an inner layer of organic compound material overlaid by an outer layer of magnetic material;
(e) a third insulation sheath enclosing both the first and second insulation sheaths.

2 more elements

A hybrid cable assembly including a hybrid cable and an outlet electrically coupled to one end of the cable, the cable electrically coupled between the outlet and a panel serving as a power source and data communications hub, the cable providing for power transmission or power distribution and data or voice communications between the panel and a computer workstation electrically coupled to the outlet, the hybrid cable assembly comprising:

(a) the hybrid cable including:
(1) a first group of one or more conductors for supplying power;
(2) a second group of one or more conductors for transmitting voice or data signals;
(3) a first insulation sheath enclosing the first group of one or more conductors for insulating the second group of one or more conductors from a magnetic field produced by the first group of one or more conductors, the first insulation sheath comprising an inner layer of organic compound material overlaid by an outer layer of magnetic material;
(4) a second insulation sheath enclosing the second group of one or more conductors for additionally insulating the second group of one or more conductors from the magnetic field produced by the first group of one or more conductors, the second insulation sheath comprising an inner layer of organic compound material overlaid by an outer layer of magnetic material;
and
(5) a third insulation sheath enclosing both the first and second insulation sheaths;
and
(b) the outlet including a case having an open side overlaid by a cover plate to define an interior region and a first female connector adapted to receive a male connector to supply power to a first computer workstation device is accessible through a first opening in the cover plate and a second female connector adapted to receive a male connector to permit transfer of data to the first computer workstation device is accessible through a second opening in the cover plate, the case including an interior barrier dividing the interior region into a power section and a data section, the power section including the first female power supply connector and the data section including the second female data transfer connector, the barrier comprising plastic and barium ferrite to insulate the data section from the power section.

6 more elements

A power and data communications network for providing power to a plurality of computer workstations, the network comprising:

(a) a panel functioning as a hub for data communications between the plurality of computer workstations and including connections for providing power to the computer workstations, the panel comprising a cabinet defining an interior region and including a panel interior barrier dividing the cabinet interior region into a power section and a data section, the power section including power supply connections and electrically coupled circuit breakers and the data section including a data service hub mounted on a service hub mounting pan, the panel barrier comprising plastic and barium ferrite to magnetically insulate the data section from magnet fields produced by circuitry in the power section;
(b) a hybrid cable including power transmission and/or distribution and data communications capability and having opposite ends electrically coupled to the panel and an outlet and for providing power from the panel to a computer workstation electrically coupled the outlet and providing for data transfer between the panel and the computer workstation, the hybrid cable including;
(i) a first group of one or more conductors for supplying power;
(ii) a second group of one or more conductors for transmitting voice or data signals;
(iii) a first insulation sheath enclosing the first group of one or more conductors for insulating the second group of one or more conductors from a magnetic field produced by the first group of one or more conductors, the first insulation sheath comprising an inner layer of organic compound material overlaid by an outer layer of magnetic material;
(iv) a second insulation sheath enclosing the second group of one or more conductors for additionally insulating the second group of one or more conductors from the magnetic field produced by the first group of one or more conductors, the second insulation sheath comprising an inner layer of organic compound material overlaid by an outer layer of magnetic material;
and
(v) a third insulation sheath enclosing both the first and second insulation sheaths.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integrated power and data communication hybrid cable assembly for local area computer network

Life of this patent

Integrated power and data communication hybrid cable assembly for local area computer network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26