Low cost, high performance flexible reinforcement for communications cable
AssigneeNeptco JV LLC
InventorsThomas P. Hager, Richard N. Lehman, James R. Priest
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low cost, high performance flexible reinforcement member that can be used for both optical and copper communications cable. The reinforcement members made according to the preferred process are more rigid than known reinforcement members, but are less rigid than glass pultruded rods. Communications cables utilizing these members are lightweight and exhibit an improved combination of strength and flexibility compared to traditional communications cables. Further, these communication cables may then be installed into underground ducts using more economical and faster installation techniques.
Claims14
A flexible reinforcement member for a communications cable comprising:
- a plurality of high modulus fibers;
- and
- a non-water based, water swellable superabsorbent polymer providing a high melt viscosity at temperatures between about 100° C. to about 150° C., the superabsorbent polymer surrounding said plurality of high modulus fibers and providing said plurality of high modulus fibers with a high modulus coating, such that, said reinforcement member is flexible, conformable, and soft, and provides adhesion properties, said flexible reinforcement member having an elongate structure and defining a cross-section, and said water swellable superabsorbent polymer comprising between about 0.1 to about 35 percent by weight of the total weight of said flexible reinforcement member, such that, said reinforcement member is lightweight.
A flexible reinforcement member for a communications cable comprising:
- a plurality of high modulus fibers;
- and
- a nonwater-based high molecular weight polymer providing a high melt viscosity at temperatures between about 100° C. to about 150° C., the high molecular weight polymer surrounding said plurality of high modulus fibers and providing said high modulus fibers with a high modulus coating, such that, said reinforcement member is flexible, conformable, and soft, and provides adhesion properties, said flexible reinforcement member having an elongate structure and defining a cross-section, and said high molecular weight polymer comprising between about 0.1 to about 35 percent by weight of the total weight of said flexible reinforcement member, such that, said reinforcement member is lightweight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.