Andrew Corporation

James A Krabec

Jack L Knowles

James J Wlos

Leonard J Visser

Bruce Carlson

Hugh Robert Nudd

Vijay K Chopra

James R Gentile

Thomas A Fleisher

James M Arredondo

A helical corrugated coaxial cable possesses low cost of manufacture comparable to that of braided shield coaxial cable, electrical performance comparable to solid tubular shielded cable, flexibility of helical and annular corrugated cable, and fluid blockage comparable to annular shielded cable. The cable has an inner conductor surrounded by a foam dielectric insulator. A tubular shield surrounds the dielectric and has helical corrugations penetrating into and compressing the foam dielectric to effectively suppress the formation of fluid migration air gaps or passageways between the shield and the dielectric. The shield is preferably composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the shield may be annularly corrugated for improved water blocking performance. The manufacturing process employs high speed welding and multi-lead corrugating operations to reduce cost.

Method of manufacturing a high-performance, water blocking coaxial cable

A cable-connector system advantageously used with flexible, relatively small diameter coaxial cable and connectors, including a coaxial cable with a foam dielectric surrounding an inner conductor; and a tubular outer conductor surrounding the foam dielectric, the outer conductor being composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy and having helical corrugations; and a connector, having: a connector body having a hollow bore with internal perturbations keyed to the helical corrugations and arranged to retentively receive and secure the connector on the cable when the connector is screwed onto the cable with the corrugations engaging the perturbations; the connector body having a crimp section adapted to be compressed by a connector crimping tool; the crimp section configured such that when crimped, the crimp section deforms inwardly and distorts the cable outer conductor corrugations to prevent relative rotation between the cable and the connector body and interlock the connector and cable.

Low cost, high performance cable-connector system and assembly method

A corrugated coaxial cable connector, field installable with a hand crimp tool has a connector interface coupled to the connector end of a hollow cylindrical body; an inner surface of the body is adapted to thread onto the helical corrugations on the outer conductor of the cable. A plurality of ridges on an outer surface of the body corresponding to an internal threaded section forms a crimp surface. An inner contact located coaxially within the body has a socket contact section at the cable end dimensioned for insertion of the inner conductor of the cable and electrical connection therewith. A body barb located on the outer surface of the body provides an acute surface for heat shrink tubing to seal against.

Crimp connector for corrugated cable

Low-cost, high performance, moisture-blocking, coaxial cable and manufacturing method

A corrugated coaxial cable including a core with at least one inner conductor and a highly expanded polymeric foam dielectric surrounding the inner conductor. This coaxial cable has a corrugated outer conductor closely encapsulating the foam dielectric. The corrugated coax cable is dimensioned to provide the cable with a velocity of propagation of greater than 90% of the speed of light.

Corrugated coaxial cable with high velocity of propagation

A miniature coaxial cable having an outside diameter of less than 0.25 inch (6.3 mm). An inner conductor is surrounded by a foamed polymer dielectric and a continuous corrugated metal outer conductor surrounds the foamed dielectric. The cable of the invention has electrical performance superior to that of prior art cables having braided outer conductors and flexibility superior to that of cables having smooth tubular outer conductors.

Miniature RF coaxial cable with corrugated outer conductor

A coaxial cable having coaxial inner and outer conductors which are separated by a helix of solid dielectric material. The helix extends through the annular space between the inner and outer conductors, and the helix is wound around the inner conductor. The inner edge of the helix engages the inner conductor and the outer edge of the helix engages the outer conductor. The outer edge of the helix forms multiple notches along the length of the helix, and the body of the helix is hollow.

Growing community of inventors

Oak Lawn, IL, United States of America

James A Krabec