Cryogenically Treated Audio/Video Cable and Method Thereof

Abstract

An audio cable is cryogenically treated in a cryogenic chamber. The cable is disposed within the cryogenic chamber. A temperature in the cryogenic chamber decreases to a level between −157° C. and −184° C. over 12 hours of the cryogenic treatment profile. The temperature in the cryogenic chamber is held steady state at the level for 8-12 hours. The temperature in the cryogenic chamber increases back to an ambient temperature over 8 hours. A computer control system controls the temperature in the cryogenic chamber by regulating nitrogen gas flow into the cryogenic chamber. The temperature in the cryogenic chamber can be decreased in a first stepped profile, and then increased in a second stepped profile. Alternatively, a bare conductor is disposed within the cryogenic chamber. The bare conductor is cryogenically treated and then used in another device, such as cable, magnetic pickup, speaker voice coil, microphone, and instrument string.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to audio/video cabling, and, more particularly, to an audio/video cable and method of cryogenically treating the cable for enhanced structure and electrical performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Musical instruments have long been popular in society providing entertainment, social interaction, self-expression, and business and source of livelihood for many people. Musical instruments and related accessories are used by professional and amateur musicians to generate, alter, transmit, and reproduce audio signals. Common musical instruments include an electric guitar, bass guitar, violin, horn, brass, drum, wind instrument, string instrument, piano, organ, electric keyboard, and percussion instrument. The audio signal from the musical instrument is typically an analog signal containing a progression of values within a continuous range. The audio signal can also be digital in nature as a series of binary one or zero values. The audio signal from the musical instrument is transmitted through an audio cable to signal processing equipment, such as an amplifier, speaker, mixer, synthesizer, sampler, effects pedal, public address system, sound recorder, and similar accessories to amplify, alter, combine, store, play back, and audibly reproduce sound from the analog or digital audio signals originating from the musical instrument.

The musical instrument is connected to the accessories by audio and control cables, e.g., instrument cables, speaker cables, XLR cables, DIN cables, and AES3 cables, to transmit the analog or digital audio signals and control signals from one device to another. For example, an electric guitar is connected from its output jack through an audio cable to an audio amplifier. The output of the audio amplifier is connected by another audio cable to a speaker to audibly reproduce the sound from the electric guitar.

The audio cabling between the musical instrument and accessories typically contains conductive wiring or routing elements that enable transmission of the audio signals. An audio cable includes one or more conductors capable of conducting electrical current in the presence of an applied potential to transmit and receive electrical signals representative of the information content of the audio data. Within the molecular structure of the conductor, the electrons move between adjacent atoms in response to the applied potential to create an electric current. The mobility of the conductive material is often indicated by its resistivity. The lower the resistivity of the conductive material, the greater the conductive mobility, i.e., the more readily the electrons move between adjacent atoms in the presence of a given potential.

Audio cables in common use have limitations due to imperfections in the molecular structure and properties of the conductor. Any misalignment in the molecular structure of the conductor contributes to higher resistance within the cable. Molecular misalignment can further reduce frequency response and cause distortion, attenuation, frequency spikes, and other degradations in signal quality during transmission through the conductor.

Signal quality in the audio cable is an important consideration to the music community. Cable design and construction is key to preserving the quality of the audio signals. Any loss or degradation in the signal quality through the audio cable can be noticeable in the audible response during reproduction of the original audio signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A need exists for enhancing the molecular and structural properties of audio/video cabling to achieve higher quality signal transmission. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention is a method of cryogenically treating a cable comprising the steps of providing a cryogenic chamber, disposing the cable within the cryogenic chamber, establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber to a level between −157° C. and −184° C., holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level for an 8-12 hour period, and returning the cryogenic chamber to an ambient temperature.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of cryogenically treating a conductor comprising the steps of providing a cryogenic chamber, disposing the conductor within the cryogenic chamber, establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at a level between −157° C. and −184° C., holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber to cryogenically treat the conductor, and establishing an ambient temperature in the cryogenic chamber.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of cryogenically treating a conductor comprising the steps of providing a cryogenic chamber, disposing the conductor within the cryogenic chamber, establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber, and holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber to cryogenically treat the conductor.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a cryogenic system for treating a cable comprising a cryogenic chamber and cooling source coupled to the cryogenic chamber. A cable is disposed within the cryogenic chamber. A computer control system is coupled to the cooling source for controlling a temperature in the cryogenic chamber by establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at a level between −157° C. and −184° C., and holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level to cryogenically treat the cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an audio sound source generating an audio signal and routing the audio signal through signal processing equipment to a speaker;

FIG. 2 illustrates a guitar connected to an audio amplifier and speaker;

FIG. 3 illustrates an audio cable with flexible cable portion and end plugs;

FIGS. 4a-4b illustrate the cable portion with internal conductors and insulating layers;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cryogenic chamber for treating the audio cable;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cryogenic treatment profile with a linear ramp up, steady state, and linear ramp down;

FIG. 7 illustrates another cryogenic treatment profile with stepped ramp up, steady state, and stepped ramp down;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cryogenic chamber for treating the inner conductor; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a pickup for an electric guitar which is subjected to a cryogenic treatment profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in one or more embodiments in the following description with reference to the figures, in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements. While the invention is described in terms of the best mode for achieving the invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the following disclosure and drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an audio sound system 10 including an audio sound source 12 which generates electric signals representative of sound content. Audio sound source 12 can be a musical instrument, audio microphone, multi-media player, or other device capable of generating electric signals representative of sound content. The musical instrument can be an electric guitar, bass guitar, violin, horn, brass, drum, wind instrument, string instrument, piano, electric keyboard, or percussion instrument, just to name a few. The electrical signals from audio sound source 12 are routed through audio cable 14 to signal processing equipment or accessory 16 for signal conditioning and power amplification. Signal processing equipment 16 can be an audio amplifier, computer, pedal board, signal processing rack, or other equipment or accessory capable of performing signal processing functions on the audio signal. The signal processing function can include amplification, filtering, equalization, sound effects, and user-defined modules that adjust the power level and enhance the signal properties of the audio signal. The signal conditioned audio signal is routed through audio cable 18 to speaker 20 to reproduce the sound content of audio sound source 12 with the enhancements introduced into the audio signal by signal processing equipment 16.

FIG. 2 shows a musical instrument as audio sound source 12, e.g., electric guitar 30. One or more pickups 32 are mounted under strings 34 of electric guitar 30 and convert string movement or vibration to electrical signals representative of the intended sounds from the vibrating strings. The electrical signals extend over a range or spectrum of frequencies with an amplitude associated with each frequency component. The electrical signals from guitar 30 are routed through audio cable 36 to audio amplifier 38 for signal processing and power amplification. Audio cable 36 includes a connector or plug 40 inserted into an output jack of guitar 30 and connector or plug 42 inserted to an input jack of audio amplifier 38. The signal conditioning provided by audio amplifier 38 may include amplification, filtering, equalization, sound effects, user-defined modules, and other signal processing functions that adjust the power level and enhance the signal properties of the audio signal. The power amplification provided by audio amplifier 38 increases or decreases the power level and signal strength of the audio signal to drive the speaker and reproduce the sound content intended by the vibrating strings 34 of electric guitar 30 with the enhancements introduced into the audio signal by the audio amplifier. A front control panel of audio amplifier 38 includes a display and control knobs and buttons to allow the user to monitor and manually control various settings of the audio amplifier.

The signal conditioned audio signal is routed from audio amplifier 38 through audio cable 44 to speaker 46. Audio cable 44 includes a connector or plug 48 inserted into an output jack of audio amplifier 38 and connector or plug 50 inserted to an input jack of speaker 46. Speaker 46 audibly reproduces the audio signal originating from guitar 30 for recognition and appreciation by an audience or listener. A front control panel of speaker 46 may include a display and control knobs and buttons to allow the user to monitor and manually control various settings of the speaker.

FIG. 3 shows audio cable 36 including flexible cable portion 52 and connectors or end plugs 40-42. Audio cable 44 has a similar arrangement. Audio cable 36 is capable of analog or digital signal transmission. Cable end plugs 40-42 make a removable physical and electrical (electro-mechanical) connection between cable portion 52 and the musical instrument or accessory, e.g., between guitar 30 and audio amplifier 38. Plugs 40-42 vary with respect to size, materials, contact resistance, insulation, design, and pinout. Plugs 40-42 are made with silver, gold, platinum, or nickel plating reduce signal loss and improve signal quality. Plugs 40-42 generally have pins or prongs that are inserted into openings of a mating jack, socket, or other physical and electrical interface, and may include a locking mechanism for mechanical support. Plugs 40-42 can be keyed to ensure mating of the plug with the intended physical and electrical interface that matches the orientation of the plug. Plugs 40-42 are designed to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), and cross-talk. Common examples of plugs 40-42 used for audio applications include tip and sleeve (TS) ¼″ jacks, XLR connectors, RCA connectors, banana plugs, Speakon connectors, ⅛″ mini jacks, D-Sub cable connectors, musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) connectors, universal serial bus (USB) connectors, Sony Phillips digital interface (S/PDIF) connectors, firewire (IEEE 1394) connectors, Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcast Society (AES/EBU) connectors, Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connectors, and Tascam digital interface (TDFI) connectors.

FIG. 4a shows a cut-away view of cable portion 52 made with a variety of materials, lengths, diameters or cross-sectional areas, and electrical specifications depending on the end application. FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of cable portion 52. An inner conductor 56 transmits the audio signal through a solid material or twisted strands. The inner conductor 56 can be copper (Cu), oxygen-free Cu (OFC), crystal oxygen-free copper (LC-OFC), electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) Cu, annealed Cu, silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), alloys thereof, or other metal. In one embodiment, inner conductor 56 uses 8-10 Cu strands or wires which are spun, woven, or twisted together to a width or diameter of 16-20 gauge (0.81-1.29 millimeters (mm)). The twisting pattern of inner conductor 56 should be uniform and tight to bring the strands in close proximity to one another to increase noise rejection. Alternatively, inner conductor 56 is a single solid conductor. An inner insulating or dielectric layer or sleeve 58 is formed over inner conductor 56. The inner insulating layer 58 can be poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), neoprene, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, carbon impregnated plastic, silicone rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), ethylene propylene polymer (EPM), ethylene propylene diene polymer (EPDM), ethylene alkene co-polymer (EAM), or other plastic or polymer material extruded over inner conductor 56. The inner insulating layer 58 provides structural support, protection, and flexibility, as well as maintaining spacing and electrically isolation of inner conductor 56 with respect to shielding conductor 60.

A shielding conductor 60 is formed over inner insulating layer 58 as a ground conductor and shield for EMI, RFI, and cross-talk isolation. Shielding conductor 60 can be spiral, braided, or foil Cu, Ag, Au, Al, Sn, Ni, alloys thereof, or other metal. In one embodiment, shielding conductor 60 uses braided Cu strands to form a sheath around inner insulating layer 58. Braided shielding is durable, flexible, and effective for protecting cable portion 52 against rough handling or physical interaction (bending, pulling, and stepping on) often imposed upon audio cables. Alternatively, spiral wrapped shielding involves wrapping one or more wire strands in a spiral around inner insulating layer 58. Foil shielding is a mylar-backed aluminum tube with a copper drain wire connected at each end. Foil shielding is typically used for cables that are stationary and involve minimal physical interaction, such as a patch cable. Shielding conductor 60 provides EMI, RFI, and cross-talk isolation to reduce noise or degradation of the electronic signals transmitted through inner conductor 56. An outer insulating or dielectric layer or sleeve 62 is formed over shielding conductor 60. The outer insulating layer 62 can be PVC, neoprene, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, carbon impregnated plastic, silicone rubber, PTFE, EPR, EPM, EPDM, EAM, or other plastic or polymer material extruded over shielding conductor 60. The outer insulating layer 62 provides structural support, protection, and flexibility, as well as maintaining spacing and electrical isolation of the shielding conductor. An outer jacket 64 is formed over outer insulating layer 62 for protection from mechanical stress, moisture, heat, and chemical exposure and to enhance the texture or feel of audio cable 36. In one embodiment, outer jacket 64 is a woven cloth material such as nylon or polyester. Outer jacket 64 facilitates identification of audio cable 36 by marking, pattern, and color.

Cable portion 52, including inner conductor 56, inner insulating layer 58, shielding conductor 60, outer insulating layer 62, and outer jacket 64, has a diameter of 6-8 mm and properties of flexibility, tangle resistant, handling noise abatement, and physical durability. Cable 36 has a length ranging from 0.3-8.0 meters (m) and can be used in audio and video (A/V) applications and transmit analog or digital signals. A/V cable 36 uses a variety of connectors or plugs depending on the application and the signal being transmitted through the cable. Cable 36 can be used as an instrument cable, speaker cable, patch cable, microphone cable, snake cable, XLR cable, DIN cable, and AES3 cable. Some types of cables, e.g., high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), firewire, digital media port, and coaxial cables, are capable of carrying both audio and video signals simultaneously.

Signal quality in audio cables 36 and 44 is an important consideration to the music community. Cable design and construction is key to preserving the quality of the audio signals. Any loss or degradation in the signal quality through the audio cable can be noticeable in the audible response during reproduction of the original audio signal. To improve the electrical characteristics of audio cable 36, inner conductor 56 is cryogenically treated to align to its molecular structure. FIG. 5 illustrates cryogenic chamber or tank 70 including an interior space 72 of sufficient volume to hold multiple audio cables 36, including cable portion 52 and plugs 40-42. In one embodiment, audio cables 36 are hung or disposed vertically within interior space 72, as shown in FIG. 5. Plug 40 is placed within a slot of bracket 74 with cable portion 52 and plug 42 hanging down or extending vertically from the bracket. Alternatively, audio cables are disposed horizontally, either linearly or in a coil, on shelves within interior space 72. Each audio cable 36 is physically separated from adjacent audio cables to allow all surface areas of cable portion 52 and plugs 40-42 to be evenly and uniformly exposed to varying temperatures within cryogenic chamber 70. A liquid nitrogen source 76 is connected to heat exchanger 78 by flow control valve 80 and conduit 82. Alternatively, the coolant source can be liquid helium or other coolant. The liquid nitrogen is converted to a gaseous state in heat exchanger 78. The super-cooled nitrogen gas is pumped into cryogenic chamber 70 through pump 86 and conduit 88. Ventilation system 84 includes one or more fans to uniformly distribute the super-cooled nitrogen gas within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 as a dry cryogenic treatment.

Computer control system 90 controls the flow rate of liquid nitrogen into heat exchanger 78 by way of flow control valve 80 to regulate the flow of nitrogen gas and control the temperature within cryogenic chamber 70. Computer control system 90 executes software configured for scheduling, monitoring, and implementing the phases of the cryogenic treatment profile. A sensor or thermocouple 92 within cryogenic chamber 70 monitors temperature within the chamber and continuously provides temperature readings to computer control system 90 by sensor connection 94.

Audio cables 36 are subjected to a cryogenic treatment temperature profile to cryogenically treat the audio cable, including inner conductor 56. FIG. 6 shows an example of cryogenic treatment profile 100. At time t₀, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 is temp₀=21° C. (ambient temperature). Audio cables 36 are placed onto bracket 74 within inner space 72 of chamber 70. Computer control system 90 sets flow control valve 80 to release liquid nitrogen into heat exchanger 78. Super-cooled nitrogen gas is pumped through ventilation system 84 into cryogenic chamber 70 to uniformly distribute the coolant to all surface areas of cable portion 52 and plugs 40-42. Between time t₀ and t₁ of cryogenic treatment profile 100, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 decreases from temp₀ to temp₁=−157° C. to −184° C. In one embodiment, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 linearly ramps down from temp₀ to temp₁=−173° C. to −184° C. The time between t₀-t₁ of cryogenic treatment profile 100 is about a 12 hour period to avoid thermal shock, residual stress, and formation of cracks in audio cable 36. Between time t₁ and t₂ of cryogenic treatment profile 100, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 is held steady state at temp₁ for an 8-12 hour period. Between time t₂ and t₃ of cryogenic treatment profile 100, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 increases or linearly ramps up from temp₁ back to temp₀ (ambient temperature). The time between t₂-t₃ of cryogenic treatment profile 100 is about an 8 hour period to return to ambient temperature while avoiding thermal shock, residual stress, and formation of cracks in audio cable 36. In some embodiments, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 is optionally increased above temp₀, e.g., to temp₂=30-50° C. after time t₃ and returns to ambient temperature at time t₄. The temperature in cryogenic chamber 70 remains uniform throughout inner space 72 during each phase of cryogenic treatment profile 100. After time t₃ or t₄, audio cable 36 is removed from cryogenic chamber 70.

FIG. 7 shows another cryogenic treatment profile 110. At time t₀, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 is temp₀=21° C. (ambient temperature). Audio cables 36 are placed onto bracket 74 within inner space 72 of chamber 70. Computer control system 90 sets flow control valve 80 to release liquid nitrogen into heat exchanger 78. Super-cooled nitrogen gas is pumped through ventilation system 84 into cryogenic chamber 70 to uniformly distribute the coolant to all surface areas of cable portion 52 and plugs 40-42. Between time t₀ and t₁ of cryogenic treatment profile 110, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 decreases in discrete or staggered steps 112 from temp₀ to temp₁=−157° C. to −184° C. or from temp₀ to temp₁=−173° C. to −184° C. In one embodiment, the temperature within inner space 72 decreases by a 50° C. step from temp₀ to −29° C. and then held steady state at −29° C. for 1-2 hours. The temperature within inner space 72 is stepped down by another 50° C. and then held there steady state for 1-2 hours. The process repeats until temp₁ is reached, as shown by steps 112 between time t₀-t₁. The time between t₀-t₁ of cryogenic treatment profile 110 is about a 12 hour period to avoid thermal shock, residual stress, and formation of cracks in audio cable 36. Between time t₁ and t₂ of cryogenic treatment profile 110, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 is held steady state at temp₁ for an 8-12 hour period. Between time t₂ and t₃ of cryogenic treatment profile 110, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 increases in discrete or staggered steps 114 from temp₁ back to temp₀ (ambient temperature). In one embodiment, the temperature within inner space 72 is increased by a 50° C. step from temp₁ and then held there steady state for 1-2 hours. The temperature within inner space 72 is stepped up by another 50° C. and then held there steady state for 1-2 hours. The process repeats from temp₀ to temp₁, as shown by steps 114 between time t₂-t₃. The time between t₂-t₃ of cryogenic treatment profile 110 is about an 8 hour period to return to ambient temperature while avoiding thermal shock, residual stress, and formation of cracks in audio cable 36. In some embodiments, the temperature within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 is optionally increased above temp₀, e.g., to temp₂=30-50° C. after time t₃ and returns to ambient temperature at time t₄. The temperature in cryogenic chamber 70 remains uniform throughout inner space 72 during each phase of cryogenic treatment profile 100. After time t₃ or t₄, audio cable is removed from cryogenic chamber 70.

In another embodiment, inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70 is pre-cooled to temp₁=−173° C. to −184° C. prior to placement of audio cables 36 into the chamber. Once temp₁ is reached, audio cables 36 are placed within inner space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70. The remainder of the process follows cryogenic treatment profile 100 or 110 between times t₁-t₄.

Cryogenic treatment of audio cable 36 realigns the molecular structure of inner conductor 56 to increase electron mobility while enhancing the structural and conductive properties of the inner conductor. The molecules of inner conductor 56 compact by removing gaps and impurities, such as oxygen, to achieve more homogeneity of variance in the molecular structure, i.e., increase the density of the molecular structure. The cryogenically treated audio cable 36 exhibits enhanced electrical properties including lower resistance, greater signal frequency response, reduced frequency spikes, higher signal quality, and faster signal propagation speed, while achieving longer cable runs and noticeably improved audible quality. The cryogenically treated audio cable 36 achieves a high degree of balance, maintain a full range frequency response, provide smooth separation, fine dynamics, and preserve the electrical signals transmitted through the cable to faithfully reproduce the original sound content. In addition, the cryogenically treated audio cable 36, including components of cable portion 52 and plugs 40-42, exhibit improved wear resistance, stress relief, abrasion and fatigue resistance, yield strength, tensile strength, impact strength, hardness, thermal conductivity, and elastic modulus.

In another embodiment, bare inner conductor 56, i.e., prior to formation of inner insulating layer 58, shielding conductor 60, outer insulating layer 62, and outer jacket 64, are placed within interior space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70. In one embodiment, inner conductors 56 wound in spools 116 are disposed on shelves 118 within interior space 72, as shown in FIG. 8. The inner conductors 56 are subjected to cryogenic treatment profile 100 or 110, as described with respect to FIGS. 6-7. After treatment, inner conductor 56 can be formed as audio cable 56, as described in FIGS. 3-4.

Cryogenic treatment of inner conductor 56 realigns the molecular structure to increase electron mobility while enhancing the structural and conductive properties of the inner conductor. The molecules of inner conductor 56 compact by removing gaps and impurities such as oxygen to achieve more homogeneity of variance in the molecular structure, i.e., increase the density of the molecular structure. The cryogenically treated inner conductor 56 exhibits enhanced electrical properties including lower resistance, greater signal frequency response, reduced frequency spikes, higher signal quality, and faster signal propagation speed, while achieving noticeably improved audible quality. The cryogenically treated inner conductor 56 achieves a high degree of balance, maintains a full range frequency response, provides smooth separation, fine dynamics, and preserves the electrical signals transmitted through the cable to faithfully reproduce the original sound content.

FIG. 9 illustrates a magnetic pickup 120 for mounting to the body of guitar 30. Pickup 120 includes a permanent magnet 122 within bobbin 124 which is wrapped by wire 126. Permanent magnet 122 magnetizes strings 34 to produce a signal in wire 126 as the string vibrates. Wire 126 can be Cu, Ag, Au, Al, Sn, Ni, alloys thereof, or other metal. The assembled pickup 120 with wire 126, or just bare wire 126, is placed within interior space 72 of cryogenic chamber 70, similar to FIGS. 5 and 8. Wire 126 is subjected to cryogenic treatment profile 100 or 110, as described with respect to FIGS. 6-7. In another embodiment, the cryogenically treated wire can be used in a speaker voice coil, microphone, instrument string, and A/V cabling. In each case, cryogenic treatment of the conductor realigns the molecular structure to increase electron mobility while enhancing the structural and conductive properties of the conductor. The molecules of the conductor compact by removing gaps and impurities such as oxygen to achieve more homogeneity of variance in the molecular structure, i.e., increase the density of the molecular structure. The cryogenically treated conductor exhibits enhanced electrical properties including lower resistance, greater signal frequency response, reduced frequency spikes, higher signal quality, and faster signal propagation speed.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of cryogenically treating a cable, comprising:

providing a cryogenic chamber;

disposing the cable within the cryogenic chamber;

establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber to a level between −157° C. and −184° C.;

holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level for an 8-12 hour period; and

returning the cryogenic chamber to an ambient temperature.

2. The method of claim 1, further including introducing nitrogen gas into the cryogenic chamber to establish the cryogenic treatment temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, further including:

decreasing a temperature in the cryogenic chamber in a first stepped profile; and

increasing the temperature in the cryogenic chamber in a second stepped profile.

4. The method of claim 1, further including establishing the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level between −157° C. and −184° C. over a 12 hour period.

5. The method of claim 1, further including returning the cryogenic chamber to the ambient temperature over an 8 hour period.

6. The method of claim 1, further including providing a computer control system to control temperature in the cryogenic chamber.

7. A method of cryogenically treating a conductor, comprising:

providing a cryogenic chamber;

disposing the conductor within the cryogenic chamber;

establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at a level between −157° C. and −184° C.;

holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber to cryogenically treat the conductor; and

establishing an ambient temperature in the cryogenic chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, further including introducing a coolant gas into the cryogenic chamber to establish the cryogenic treatment temperature.

9. The method of claim 7, further including:

decreasing a temperature in the cryogenic chamber in a first stepped profile; and

increasing the temperature in the cryogenic chamber in a second stepped profile.

10. The method of claim 7, further including establishing the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level between −157° C. and −184° C. over a 12 hour period.

11. The method of claim 7, further including holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level between −157° C. and −184° C. over an 8-12 hour period.

12. The method of claim 7, further including returning the cryogenic chamber to the ambient temperature over an 8 hour period.

13. The method of claim 7, further including disposing the conductor within a device selected from the group consisting of a cable, magnetic pickup, speaker voice coil, microphone, and instrument string.

14. A method of cryogenically treating a conductor, comprising:

providing a cryogenic chamber;

disposing the conductor within the cryogenic chamber;

establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber; and

holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber to cryogenically treat the conductor.

15. The method of claim 14, further including returning the cryogenic chamber to an ambient temperature.

16. The method of claim 14, further including introducing a coolant gas into the cryogenic chamber to establish the cryogenic treatment temperature.

17. The method of claim 14, further including:

establishing the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber to a level between −157° C. and −184° C.; and

holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level between −157° C. and −184° C. over an 8-12 hour period.

18. The method of claim 14, further including returning the cryogenic chamber to the ambient temperature over an 8 hour period.

19. The method of claim 14, further including disposing the conductor within a device selected from the group consisting of a cable, magnetic pickup, speaker voice coil, microphone, and instrument string.

20. A cryogenic system for treating a cable, comprising:

a cryogenic chamber;

a cooling source coupled to the cryogenic chamber;

a cable disposed within the cryogenic chamber; and

a computer control system coupled to the cooling source for controlling a temperature in the cryogenic chamber by establishing a cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at a level between −157° C. and −184° C., and holding the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level to cryogenically treat the cable.

21. The cryogenic system of claim 20, wherein the cooling source introduces a coolant gas into the cryogenic chamber.

22. The cryogenic system of claim 20, wherein the computer control system establishes the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level between −157° C. and −184° C. over a 12 hour period.

23. The cryogenic system of claim 20, wherein the computer control system holds the cryogenic treatment temperature in the cryogenic chamber at the level between −157° C. and −184° C. over an 8-12 hour period.

24. The cryogenic system of claim 20, wherein the computer control system returns the cryogenic chamber to an ambient temperature.

25. The cryogenic system of claim 20, wherein the computer control system decreases a temperature in the cryogenic chamber in a first stepped profile and increases the temperature in the cryogenic chamber in a second stepped profile.