Abstract: The present invention is a flexible low loss coaxial cable comprising a cylindrical plastic rod, an inner conductor surrounding the plastic rod, a dielectric layer surrounding the inner conductor, and a tubular metallic sheath closely surrounding the dielectric layer. The coaxial cable can further include a protective polymer jacket surrounding the sheath. The cylindrical plastic rod supports the inner conductor in bending and can be formed around a central structural member. The present invention also includes a method of making flexible coaxial cable.

Abstract: A flexible low loss coaxial cable comprises a cylindrical plastic rod, an inner conductor surrounding the plastic rod, a dielectric layer surrounding the inner conductor, and a tubular metallic sheath closely surrounding the dielectric layer. The coaxial cable can further include a protective polymer jacket surrounding the sheath. The cylindrical plastic rod supports the inner conductor in bending and can be formed around a central structural member. The present invention also includes a method of making flexible coaxial cable.

Abstract: The communications system transmits both communications signals and electrical power to a plurality of subscribers. The communications signals can include video, voice and data signals. The communications system includes a coaxial drop cable for transmitting both the communications signals and electrical power from a cable tap to at least one subscriber of the communications system. The coaxial drop cable includes an annular outer conductor surrounding the dielectric material and having a mechanically and electrically continuous, non-overlapping tubular metallic shield. The coaxial drop cable has predetermined signal transmission characteristics, including enhanced shielding properties, which are maintained while the coaxial drop cable is flexed due, at least in part, to an increase in the stiffness of the dielectric material relative to the outer conductor.

Abstract: A flexible coaxial cable includes a core including at least one inner conductor and a foam polymer dielectric surrounding the inner conductor. The flexible coaxial cable also includes an electrically and mechanically continuous tubular copper sheath closely surrounding the core and adhesively bonded to the core. A protective outer jacket surrounds the tubular metallic sheath and is adhesively bonded to the tubular metallic sheath to increase the bending properties of the cable. The bond peel strength of the adhesive bond between the polymer jacket and the sheath is no more than 36 lb./in to provide a coaxial cable having excellent bending characteristics and which can be easily stripped to provide an electrical connection between the coaxial cable and other conductive elements. The present invention also includes a method of making flexible coaxial cable.

Abstract: A reinforced coaxial cable for underground service is disclosed. The cable generally includes an elongate center conductor, a surrounding dielectric material such as a foamed polymer dielectric, an outer conductor, a first jacket, an intermediate protective layer, and a second jacket. A ripcord can be positioned longitudinally between the first jacket and the intermediate protective layer to facilitate removal of both the intermediate protective layer and the second jacket. A tracer, or other visible indicia, extends longitudinally along the outer surface of the second jacket to facilitate locating the underlying ripcord. The intermediate layer and the second jacket provide increased impact resistance, cut-through resistance, and compressive strength, as well as increased resistance to abrasion and other frictionally induced damage. In addition, the intermediate layer and second jacket can be readily removed to allow increased flexibility or connectorization of the cable.

Abstract: A composite fiber optic and electrical cable having a core which loosely contains at least one optical fiber, one or more electrical conductors having an outer polymer insulating layer, one or more strength members and a surrounding protective jacket. The protective jacket is formed of a polymer material which forms a distinct mechanically separate phase from the polymer material forming the insulation layer surrounding the respective electrical conductors. For example, the jacket can be made of a polymer material having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the insulating material of the electrical conductors. As a result, the polymer jacket does not bond with the insulating material during production of the cable. The jacket can, thus, be easily stripped from the electrical conductors during installation of the cable to facilitate the attachment of the electrical conductors to a signal repeater, or power source, or other electrical devices.

Abstract: A composite fiber optic and electrical cable having a core which loosely contains at least one optical fiber, a pair of copper clad steel electrical conductors having an outer polymer insulating layer, and a polymer jacket. The jacket is made of a polymer material having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the insulating material of the electrical conductors. As a result, the polymer jacket does not bond with the insulating material during production of the cable. The jacket can thus be easily stripped from the electrical conductors during installation of the cable to facilitate the attachment of the electrical conductors to a signal repeater, or power source, or other electrical device. The cable is manufactured by advancing the core and electrical conductors through an extruder which forms the jacket around the core and electrical conductors.

Abstract: An aerial self-supporting fiber optic cable includes a pair of longitudinal strength members extending along respective opposite sides of a core, and a jacket surrounding the core and strength members, wherein the jacket has a generally elliptical outer cross-sectional shape. A major transverse axis of the generally elliptical jacket is generally aligned with an imaginary line defined between the pair of longitudinal strength members. The cable core includes at least one elongate buffer tube and at least one optical fiber disposed within the buffer tube. The strength members has a predetermined tensile strength to support the fiber optic cable between adjacent vertical supports. The jacket may have a generally elliptical shape with an enlarged central lobe surrounding the core, and a pair of relatively smaller lobes on opposite sides of the central lobe and surrounding respective longitudinal strength members.