WO2016001618A1 - A cable for transmitting signals with reduced distortion and/or phase errors - Google Patents

A cable for transmitting signals with reduced distortion and/or phase errors Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016001618A1
WO2016001618A1 PCT/GB2015/051582 GB2015051582W WO2016001618A1 WO 2016001618 A1 WO2016001618 A1 WO 2016001618A1 GB 2015051582 W GB2015051582 W GB 2015051582W WO 2016001618 A1 WO2016001618 A1 WO 2016001618A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cable
dielectric material
flexible layer
particles
conductors
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2015/051582
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Colin Wonfor
Geoff MERRIGAN
Original Assignee
Tellurium Q Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tellurium Q Ltd filed Critical Tellurium Q Ltd
Publication of WO2016001618A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016001618A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B11/00—Communication cables or conductors
    • H01B11/02—Cables with twisted pairs or quads
    • H01B11/12—Arrangements for exhibiting specific transmission characteristics
    • H01B11/14—Continuously inductively loaded cables, e.g. Krarup cables
    • H01B11/146—Continuously inductively loaded cables, e.g. Krarup cables using magnetically loaded coatings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B11/00—Communication cables or conductors
    • H01B11/02—Cables with twisted pairs or quads
    • H01B11/06—Cables with twisted pairs or quads with means for reducing effects of electromagnetic or electrostatic disturbances, e.g. screens
    • H01B11/10—Screens specially adapted for reducing interference from external sources
    • H01B11/1058—Screens specially adapted for reducing interference from external sources using a coating, e.g. a loaded polymer, ink or print
    • H01B11/1083—Screens specially adapted for reducing interference from external sources using a coating, e.g. a loaded polymer, ink or print the coating containing magnetic material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B11/00—Communication cables or conductors
    • H01B11/02—Cables with twisted pairs or quads
    • H01B11/12—Arrangements for exhibiting specific transmission characteristics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cable for transmitting signals with reduced distortion and/or phase errors.
  • Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide such a cable.
  • the present invention provides a cable comprising a plurality of spaced apart conductors; a dielectric material surrounding the conductors so as to provide dielectric material between and around the conductors; and a flexible layer substantially surrounding the dielectric material and including unmagnetised particles of a magnetic material.
  • a cable embodying the present invention may also reduce the effects of radiation and absorption of magnetic interference on signal and/or power cables.
  • a cable embodying the present invention may reduce signal noise and may significantly improve phase coherence.
  • the particles are preferably of a magnetic material in powder or granular form.
  • the particles are preferably selected from Fe203, Fe30 4 , Fe, Co, Ni, Fe-Co, Fe-Co-Ni, Fe-Si-AI, or any combination thereof.
  • the particles are preferably present in an amount of between 20 to 90% by volume, more preferably between 35 to 80% by volume within the flexible layer.
  • the dielectric constant of the dielectric material is preferably in the range of between 0.5K and 10K, more preferably betweenI K and 6K.
  • the dielectric material is preferably arranged to provide a dielectric layer between the conductors.
  • the dielectric material may be provided as a cover for each conductor.
  • the dielectric material may be extruded around each individual conductor.
  • the flexible layer preferably comprises a substantially homogeneous distribution of the particles of magnetic material.
  • the present invention provides an audio and/or video system comprising a cable embodying the first aspect of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cable according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the effects of noise and interference for a previously considered cable
  • Figure 3 is a graph illustrating the effects of noise and interference for a cable according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a graph illustrating a common mode effect for a known cable
  • Figure 5 is a graph illustrating a common mode effect for a cable according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of a previously considered speaker cable
  • Figure 7 illustrates signal performance of the cable of Figure 6
  • Figure 8 is a cross-sectional illustration of a speaker cable embodying one aspect of the present invention
  • Figure 9 illustrates signal performance of the cable of Figure 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Figure 1 illustrates one example of a cable embodying an aspect of the present invention.
  • the cable 1 of Figure 1 comprises four spaced apart conductors 2 surrounded by dielectric material 3.
  • the dielectric material 3 extends between and surrounds all of the conductors 2.
  • a flexible layer 4 extends around and surrounds the dielectric material.
  • the flexible layer 4 may provide an external covering for the cable 1 , or may be an internal layer, with a further external layer providing a protective layer for the cable 1.
  • the dielectric material 3 may be any suitable material or combination of materials.
  • the flexible layer 4 comprises a composite of a resin matrix material and particles of a magnetic material.
  • the resin matrix may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials.
  • the particles of magnetic material may be provided by a single material or a suitable combination of materials.
  • Suitable magnetic materials include Fe203, Fe30 4 , Fe, Co, Ni, Fe-Co, Fe-Co-Ni, Fe-Si-A or any combination thereof.
  • the particles of magnetic material are not magnetised. That is, the particles do not have aligned molecular magnetic poles.
  • the particles may be in the form of granules or dust.
  • the particles are uniformly distributed, circumferentially and axially, within the flexible layer 4. It will be appreciated, however, that the particles may be distributed in any desired pattern, or randomly, within the matrix material of the flexible layer 4 depending on the particular requirements of the cable 1.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a cable 1 including four conductors 2, it is to be understood that the cable 1 may include any suitable number of conductors 2. Similarly, Figure 1 shows the conductors 2 being equally spaced apart from each other.
  • the conductors 2 may be arranged within the cable 1 in any suitable configuration.
  • the dielectric layer 3 is shown as a bulk material through which the conductors 2 extend. However, the dielectric layer 3 may be provided as a covering layer for each individual conductor 2, for example being provided by an extruded layer of material.
  • Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the effect of noise and interference on a previously considered cable and on a cable embodying an aspect of the present invention respectively.
  • the noise interference rejection at the fundamental is reduced by approximately 6db for the cable embodying the invention in comparison to the previously considered cable.
  • the harmonics and the noise floor background levels are all reduced significantly for the cable embodying the present invention.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a previously considered speaker cable 10 which includes a left channel conductor 1 1 L and a right channel conductor 1 1 R surrounded by a standard outer sheath 12.
  • Figure 7 shows that there is an error between the amplitude and phase of an output signal compared to that input to the cable of Figure 6. In particular, it can be seen that at 20 KHz, the phase error is present. This phase error appears to increase with increasing frequency of the input.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a speaker cable 20 embodying an aspect of the present invention.
  • the cable 20 comprises a left channel conductor 21 L and a right channel conductor 21 R, surrounded by dielectric material 22.
  • a flexible layer 23 surrounds the dielectric material 22.
  • the flexible layer contains unmagnetised particles of a magnetic material, as for the cable of Figure 1.
  • Figure 9 illustrates the signal response for the cable of Figure 8, and it can be seen there is very little difference between the amplitude and phase of the input and output signals.
  • a cable embodying an aspect of the present invention provides less distortion, fewer phase errors, improved bandwidth, and improved audio imagery and musical detail.
  • the cable of the present invention may therefore be used to provide improved signals within signal cables, for example to provide clearer signal reproduction for speaker cables. Audio and/or video cables in accordance with the present invention may provide clearer signal reproduction.

Abstract

A cable comprising at least two spaced apart conductors. The cable further comprises dielectric material surrounding the at least two conductors so as to provide dielectric material between the conductors. The cable further comprises a flexible layer comprising a composite of a resin matrix and particles, in which the flexible layer substantially surrounds the dielectric material.

Description

A CABLE FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS WITH REDUCED DISTORTION AND/OR
PHASE ERRORS
The present invention relates to a cable for transmitting signals with reduced distortion and/or phase errors.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is known that the quality of signals, for example audio and/or video signals, can be impaired by signal distortions and phase errors occurring during transmission of those signals along a cable.
There is, therefore, a need for a cable which is able to convey such signals with reduced distortion, fewer phase errors and/or improved bandwidth compared to previously considered cables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide such a cable.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cable comprising a plurality of spaced apart conductors; a dielectric material surrounding the conductors so as to provide dielectric material between and around the conductors; and a flexible layer substantially surrounding the dielectric material and including unmagnetised particles of a magnetic material.
By providing a flexible layer comprising particles of a magnetic material, it has been found that phase distortion and signal errors are significantly reduced. A cable embodying the present invention may also reduce the effects of radiation and absorption of magnetic interference on signal and/or power cables.
It has also been found that a cable embodying the present invention may reduce signal noise and may significantly improve phase coherence.
The particles are preferably of a magnetic material in powder or granular form. The particles are preferably selected from Fe203, Fe304, Fe, Co, Ni, Fe-Co, Fe-Co-Ni, Fe-Si-AI, or any combination thereof.
The particles are preferably present in an amount of between 20 to 90% by volume, more preferably between 35 to 80% by volume within the flexible layer. The dielectric constant of the dielectric material is preferably in the range of between 0.5K and 10K, more preferably betweenI K and 6K.
The dielectric material is preferably arranged to provide a dielectric layer between the conductors. The dielectric material may be provided as a cover for each conductor. The dielectric material may be extruded around each individual conductor. The flexible layer preferably comprises a substantially homogeneous distribution of the particles of magnetic material.
According to a further aspect, the present invention provides an audio and/or video system comprising a cable embodying the first aspect of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cable according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the effects of noise and interference for a previously considered cable;
Figure 3 is a graph illustrating the effects of noise and interference for a cable according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a graph illustrating a common mode effect for a known cable; Figure 5 is a graph illustrating a common mode effect for a cable according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of a previously considered speaker cable;
Figure 7 illustrates signal performance of the cable of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional illustration of a speaker cable embodying one aspect of the present invention;
Figure 9 illustrates signal performance of the cable of Figure 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates one example of a cable embodying an aspect of the present invention. The cable 1 of Figure 1 comprises four spaced apart conductors 2 surrounded by dielectric material 3. The dielectric material 3 extends between and surrounds all of the conductors 2. A flexible layer 4 extends around and surrounds the dielectric material. The flexible layer 4 may provide an external covering for the cable 1 , or may be an internal layer, with a further external layer providing a protective layer for the cable 1. The dielectric material 3 may be any suitable material or combination of materials.
The flexible layer 4 comprises a composite of a resin matrix material and particles of a magnetic material. The resin matrix may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials.
The particles of magnetic material may be provided by a single material or a suitable combination of materials. Suitable magnetic materials include Fe203, Fe304, Fe, Co, Ni, Fe-Co, Fe-Co-Ni, Fe-Si-A or any combination thereof.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the particles of magnetic material are not magnetised. That is, the particles do not have aligned molecular magnetic poles. The particles may be in the form of granules or dust. In a preferred example, the particles are uniformly distributed, circumferentially and axially, within the flexible layer 4. It will be appreciated, however, that the particles may be distributed in any desired pattern, or randomly, within the matrix material of the flexible layer 4 depending on the particular requirements of the cable 1. Although Figure 1 illustrates a cable 1 including four conductors 2, it is to be understood that the cable 1 may include any suitable number of conductors 2. Similarly, Figure 1 shows the conductors 2 being equally spaced apart from each other. It is, however, to be understood that the conductors 2 may be arranged within the cable 1 in any suitable configuration. The dielectric layer 3 is shown as a bulk material through which the conductors 2 extend. However, the dielectric layer 3 may be provided as a covering layer for each individual conductor 2, for example being provided by an extruded layer of material.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the effect of noise and interference on a previously considered cable and on a cable embodying an aspect of the present invention respectively. As can be seen, the noise interference rejection at the fundamental is reduced by approximately 6db for the cable embodying the invention in comparison to the previously considered cable. It can also be seen that the harmonics and the noise floor background levels are all reduced significantly for the cable embodying the present invention. These results illustrate that a cable embodying the present invention inhibits radiated noise over the whole cable. In addition, for AC mains power, such a cable acts as a common mode choke and rejects outside interference.
The common mode effect of the flexible layer 4 of a cable embodying the present invention is demonstrated by comparing Figures 4 and 5. As can be seen from Figure 5, the voltage for the cable of the present invention is reduced to 3.46 mV RMS which is approximately 10 db.
For the purpose of comparison, Figure 6 illustrates a previously considered speaker cable 10 which includes a left channel conductor 1 1 L and a right channel conductor 1 1 R surrounded by a standard outer sheath 12. Figure 7 shows that there is an error between the amplitude and phase of an output signal compared to that input to the cable of Figure 6. In particular, it can be seen that at 20 KHz, the phase error is present. This phase error appears to increase with increasing frequency of the input.
Figure 8 illustrates a speaker cable 20 embodying an aspect of the present invention. The cable 20 comprises a left channel conductor 21 L and a right channel conductor 21 R, surrounded by dielectric material 22. A flexible layer 23 surrounds the dielectric material 22. The flexible layer contains unmagnetised particles of a magnetic material, as for the cable of Figure 1. Figure 9 illustrates the signal response for the cable of Figure 8, and it can be seen there is very little difference between the amplitude and phase of the input and output signals.
A cable embodying an aspect of the present invention provides less distortion, fewer phase errors, improved bandwidth, and improved audio imagery and musical detail. The cable of the present invention may therefore be used to provide improved signals within signal cables, for example to provide clearer signal reproduction for speaker cables. Audio and/or video cables in accordance with the present invention may provide clearer signal reproduction.
Although aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment shown and that various changes and modifications may be effected without further inventive skill and effort.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A cable comprising: a plurality of spaced apart conductors; dielectric material surrounding the conductors so as to provide dielectric material between the conductors; and a flexible layer comprising a composite of a resin matrix material and unmagnetised particles of a magnetic material, in which the flexible layer substantially surrounds the dielectric material.
2. A cable as claimed in claim 1 , in which the particles comprise non-magnetised, magnetic material in powder or granular form.
3. A cable as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the particles are selected from Fe203, Fe304, Fe, Co, Ni, Fe-Co, Fe-Co-Ni, Fe-Si-AI, or any combination thereof.
4. A cable as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the particles are present in an amount of between 20 to 90% by volume within the flexible layer.
5. A cable as claimed in claim 4, in which the magnetic material is present in an amount of between 35 to 80% by volume within the flexible layer.
6. A cable as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the dielectric constant of the dielectric material is in the range of between 1 K and 6K.
7. A cable as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the dielectric material is provided as a cover for each conductor.
8. A cable as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the dielectric material is extruded around each individual conductor.
9. A cable as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the flexible layer comprises a substantially homogeneous distribution of magnetic material.
10. An audio and/or video system comprising a cable as claimed in any preceding claim.
PCT/GB2015/051582 2014-07-01 2015-06-01 A cable for transmitting signals with reduced distortion and/or phase errors WO2016001618A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1411703.0 2014-07-01
GB1411703.0A GB2527777B (en) 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 Cable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016001618A1 true WO2016001618A1 (en) 2016-01-07

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2015/051582 WO2016001618A1 (en) 2014-07-01 2015-06-01 A cable for transmitting signals with reduced distortion and/or phase errors

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GB (1) GB2527777B (en)
WO (1) WO2016001618A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3229030A (en) * 1957-02-09 1966-01-11 Baermann Max Wire with magnetic insulation
US4371742A (en) * 1977-12-20 1983-02-01 Graham Magnetics, Inc. EMI-Suppression from transmission lines
EP0528611A1 (en) * 1991-08-21 1993-02-24 Champlain Cable Corporation Conductive polymeric shielding materials and articles fabricated therefrom
WO1997004467A1 (en) * 1995-07-17 1997-02-06 Edgardo Bianchi An electric cable particularly, but not exclusively, for high-fidelity stereo systems
US6225565B1 (en) * 1999-06-07 2001-05-01 The Untied States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Flexible cable providing EMI shielding

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11250743A (en) * 1998-02-27 1999-09-17 Murata Mfg Co Ltd Shielded cable
AU5459100A (en) * 1999-06-02 2000-12-18 Composite Materials, L.L.C. An article shielded against emi and rfi
GB2366068A (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-02-27 Neoterics Ltd Reducing RF-induced longitudinal currents in conductors
JP2004111317A (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-04-08 Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd Electromagnetic interference deterrence cable
DE102006036065A1 (en) * 2006-08-02 2008-02-14 Adc Gmbh Symmetric data cable for communication and data technology
US7342172B1 (en) * 2007-01-03 2008-03-11 Apple Inc. Cable with noise suppression
JP2011249022A (en) * 2010-05-24 2011-12-08 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd Photoelectricity composite cable
JP2014112466A (en) * 2011-03-31 2014-06-19 Alps Electric Co Ltd Cable using flat powder magnetic material as coating and its manufacturing method

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3229030A (en) * 1957-02-09 1966-01-11 Baermann Max Wire with magnetic insulation
US4371742A (en) * 1977-12-20 1983-02-01 Graham Magnetics, Inc. EMI-Suppression from transmission lines
EP0528611A1 (en) * 1991-08-21 1993-02-24 Champlain Cable Corporation Conductive polymeric shielding materials and articles fabricated therefrom
WO1997004467A1 (en) * 1995-07-17 1997-02-06 Edgardo Bianchi An electric cable particularly, but not exclusively, for high-fidelity stereo systems
US6225565B1 (en) * 1999-06-07 2001-05-01 The Untied States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Flexible cable providing EMI shielding

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2527777B (en) 2017-01-18
GB201411703D0 (en) 2014-08-13
GB2527777A (en) 2016-01-06

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