Polymeric yarns for use in communications cables and methods for producing the same

Abstract

In some aspects, polymeric yarns and communications cables incorporating the same are provided herein. Additionally, in some aspects, methods of producing polymeric yarns and communications cables incorporating the same are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A telecommunications cable, comprising:
 a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors extending along a length of the cable, wherein each of the twisted pairs comprises two insulated conductors, and   a fibrillated polymeric yarn comprising a plurality of filaments, said fibrillated polymeric yarn extending longitudinally between the two insulated conductors of at least one of said twisted pairs of conductors so as to at least partially separate said two insulated conductors relative to on another.   
     
     
         2 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said fibrillated polymeric yarn is disposed between said two insulated conductors so as to stabilize any of orientation and spacing of said pairs of conductors relative to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said fibrillated polymeric yarn comprises a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         4 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said fluoropolymer comprises any of PVDF, PVF, ECTFE, and ETFE. 
     
     
         5 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said fluoropolymer comprises a perfluoropolymer. 
     
     
         6 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 5 , wherein said perfluoropolymer comprises any of PFA, MFA and FEP. 
     
     
         7 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said fibrillated polymeric yarn comprises a polyolefin. 
     
     
         8 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said filaments exhibit an average linear mass density in a range of about 8 to about 100 denier. 
     
     
         9 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , further comprising a separator having a plurality of channels for receiving said plurality of twisted pairs. 
     
     
         10 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said filaments have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         11 . The telecommunications cable of  claim 1 , wherein said filaments have different cross-sectional areas.