Abstract: An insulated composite power cable having a wire core defining a common longitudinal axis, a multiplicity of composite wires around the wire core, and an insulative sheath surrounding the composite wires. In some embodiments, a first multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the wire core in a first lay direction at a first lay angle defined relative to a center longitudinal axis over a first lay length, and a second multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the first multiplicity of composite wires in the first lay direction at a second lay angle over a second lay length, the relative difference between the first lay angle and the second lay angle being no greater than about 4°. The insulated composite cables may be used for underground or underwater electrical power transmission. Methods of making and using the insulated composite cables are also described.

Abstract: Thermoset polymer composite wires including a multiplicity of substantially continuous fibers embedded in a solidified polymer composite matrix and forming a substantially continuous filament, the solidified polymer composite matrix further including a polymer formed by curing a polymer precursor from a liquid state and a multiplicity of nanoparticles having a median diameter of one micrometer or less substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer composite matrix, and optionally, a corrosion resistant sheath surrounding the substantially continuous filament. In some embodiments, the multiplicity of particles includes surface-modified particles having a core and a surface modifying agent associated with the core and reacted with the polymer cured from a liquid state. Stranded cables including one or more such thermoset polymer composite wires, and methods of making and using such thermoset polymer composite wires and stranded cables are also described.

Abstract: An insulated composite power cable having a wire core defining a common longitudinal axis, a multiplicity of composite wires around the wire core, and an insulative sheath surrounding the composite wires. In some embodiments, a first multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the wire core in a first lay direction at a first lay angle defined relative to a center longitudinal axis over a first lay length, and a second multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the first multiplicity of composite wires in the first lay direction at a second lay angle over a second lay length, the relative difference between the first lay angle and the second lay angle being no greater than about 4°. The insulated composite cables may be used for underground or underwater electrical power transmission. Methods of making and using the insulated composite cables are also described.

Abstract: An insulated composite power cable having a wire core defining a common longitudinal axis, a multiplicity of composite wires around the wire core, and an insulative sheath surrounding the composite wires. In some embodiments, a first multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the wire core in a first lay direction at a first lay angle defined relative to a center longitudinal axis over a first lay length, and a second multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the first multiplicity of composite wires in the first lay direction at a second lay angle over a second lay length, the relative difference between the first lay angle and the second lay angle being no greater than about 4°. The insulated composite cables may be used for underground or underwater electrical power transmission. Methods of making and using the insulated composite cables are also described.

Abstract: A compression connector and assembly include an elongated, interiorly hollow tube, and at least one tubular sleeve, the tube including a first material exhibiting a first axial extrusion rate and the sleeve including a second material exhibiting a second axial extrusion rate, wherein the sleeve wall thickness is selected such that, when inserted into the tube and subjected to mechanical compression in a direction substantially orthogonal to the tube's exterior surface, deforms so that the first and second materials extrude axially at substantially the same rate. In some exemplary embodiments, the sleeve wall thickness may be selected to be thin, or the sleeve may include a multiplicity of axially spaced-apart corrugations formed in at least one exterior or interior surface. The assembly may include stranded composite wires, optionally with a tape covering only a portion of the composite wires. A method of making the compression connector is also described.

Abstract: An insulated composite power cable having a wire core defining a common longitudinal axis, a multiplicity of composite wires around the wire core, and an insulative sheath surrounding the composite wires. In some embodiments, a first multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the wire core in a first lay direction at a first lay angle defined relative to a center longitudinal axis over a first lay length, and a second multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the first multiplicity of composite wires in the first lay direction at a second lay angle over a second lay length, the relative difference between the first lay angle and the second lay angle being no greater than about 4°. The insulated composite cables may be used for underground or underwater electrical power transmission. Methods of making and using the insulated composite cables are also described.

Abstract: Thermoset polymer composite wires including a multiplicity of substantially continuous fibers embedded in a solidified polymer composite matrix and forming a substantially continuous filament, the solidified polymer composite matrix further including a polymer formed by curing a polymer precursor from a liquid state and a multiplicity of nanoparticles having a median diameter of one micrometer or less substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer composite matrix, and optionally, a corrosion resistant sheath surrounding the substantially continuous filament. In some embodiments, the multiplicity of particles includes surface-modified particles having a core and a surface modifying agent associated with the core and reacted with the polymer cured from a liquid state. Stranded cables including one or more such thermoset polymer composite wires, and methods of making and using such thermoset polymer composite wires and stranded cables are also described.

Abstract: A compression connector and assembly include an elongated, interiorly hollow tube, and at least one tubular sleeve, the tube including a first material exhibiting a first axial extrusion rate and the sleeve including a second material exhibiting a second axial extrusion rate, wherein the sleeve wall thickness is selected such that, when inserted into the tube and subjected to mechanical compression in a direction substantially orthogonal to the tube's exterior surface, deforms so that the first and second materials extrude axially at substantially the same rate. In some exemplary embodiments, the sleeve wall thickness may be selected to be thin, or the sleeve may include a multiplicity of axially spaced-apart corrugations formed in at least one exterior or interior surface. The assembly may include stranded composite wires, optionally with a tape covering only a portion of the composite wires. A method of making the compression connector is also described.

Abstract: An insulated composite power cable having a wire core defining a common longitudinal axis, a multiplicity of composite wires around the wire core, and an insulative sheath surrounding the composite wires. In some embodiments, a first multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the wire core in a first lay direction at a first lay angle defined relative to a center longitudinal axis over a first lay length, and a second multiplicity of composite wires is helically stranded around the first multiplicity of composite wires in the first lay direction at a second lay angle over a second lay length, the relative difference between the first lay angle and the second lay angle being no greater than about 4°. The insulated composite cables may be used for underground or underwater electrical power transmission. Methods of making and using the insulated composite cables are also described.

Abstract: A method of installing an electrical transmission cable includes providing an electrical transmission cable extending from a first end to a second end. The cable includes a flexible, full tension splice between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the electrical transmission cable includes at least one composite wire. Additionally, the flexible, full tension splice is pulled over a first sheave assembly.

Abstract: Dead-end-to-dead-end overhead electrical power transmission line with composite (e.g., aluminum matrix composite) core overhead electrical power transmission conductor tension subsection and another, different core overhead electrical power transmission conductor tension subsection.

Abstract: Dead-end-to-dead-end overhead electrical power transmission line with composite (e.g., aluminum matrix composite) core overhead electrical power transmission conductor tension subsection and another, different core overhead electrical power transmission conductor tension subsection.

Abstract: A method of installing an electrical transmission cable includes providing an electrical transmission cable extending from a first end to a second end. The cable includes a flexible, full tension splice between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the electrical transmission cable includes at least one composite wire. Additionally, the flexible, full tension splice is pulled over a first sheave assembly.

Abstract: A method of installing an electrical transmission cable includes providing an electrical transmission cable extending from a first end to a second end. The cable includes a flexible, full tension splice between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the electrical transmission cable includes at least one composite wire. Additionally, the flexible, full tension splice is pulled over a first sheave assembly.

Abstract: Cable comprising at least one of aramid, ceramic, boron, poly(p-phenylene-2.6-benzobisoxazole), graphite, carbon, titanium, tungsten, or shape memory alloy and having a stress parameter not greater than 5 MPa. Embodiments of the cable are useful, for example, as an overhead power transmission line.

Abstract: Composite wire comprising polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers within a matrix of aluminum, or an alloy of aluminum and up to about 2% copper. The resulting materials are characterized by their high strength and low weight are particularly well suited for applications in various industries including high voltage power transmission.

Abstract: Methods for making metal matrix composite articles such as wires and tapes. The metal matrix composites include a plurality of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned fibers in a metal matrix. The fibers are selected from the group of ceramic fibers, boron, carbon fibers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Method of making articles comprising polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers within a matrix of aluminum, or an alloy of aluminum and up to about 2% copper.

Abstract: A composite metal matrix formed of polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers encapsulated within a matrix of substantially pure elemental aluminum, or an alloy elemental aluminum and up to about 2% copper is disclosed. The resulting materials are characterized by their high strength and low weight are particularly well suited for applications in various industries including high voltage power transmission.

Abstract: Copper matrix composites reinforced with continuous SiC and/or boron fibers.