Magnetically Enhanced Electrical Signal Conduction Cables and Methods

Abstract

An embodiment electrical cable includes an elongated sheath, and a first chain of permanent magnet spheroids disposed within the sheath, wherein the spheroids are physically and electrically coupled in series with each other. The electrical cable further includes a first connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath, and a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the chain of permanent magnet spheroids.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrical cable comprising:
 an elongated sheath;   a first chain of permanent magnet spheroids disposed within the sheath, wherein the spheroids are physically and electrically coupled in series with each other;   a first connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath; and   a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the chain of permanent magnet spheroids.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical cable of  claim 1 , wherein each of the permanent magnet spheroids comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: nickel, neodymium, samarium, mu-metal, cobalt, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical cable of  claim 1 , further comprising a first active signal electrical conductor coupled in series with the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical cable of  claim 3 , wherein the first active signal electrical conductor comprises a non-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical cable of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrically conductive sleeve disposed around at least a portion of the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical cable of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a ground signal wire disposed within the sheath; and   an insulator disposed within the sheath and separating the ground signal wire from the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids.   
     
     
         7 . The electrical cable of  claim 6 , further comprising a ground signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the ground signal wire. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical cable of  claim 1 , wherein a north-south pole orientation of each of the permanent magnet spheroids is in a same direction as a signal flow direction through the permanent magnet spheroids. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical cable of  claim 1 , further comprising a Faraday cage disposed around the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical cable of  claim 1 , wherein the permanent magnet spheroids each comprises:
 a first magnetic material; and   a coating of conductive metal different from the first material.   
     
     
         11 . An electrical cable comprising:
 an elongated sheath;   a first chain of permanent magnet spheroids disposed within the sheath, wherein the spheroids are physically and electrically coupled in series with each other;   a first connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath;   a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the chain of permanent magnet spheroids;   a second connector body mechanically attached to a second end of the sheath; and   a second active signal contact mechanically attached to the second connector body, and electrically connected to the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids.   
     
     
         12 . The electrical cable of  claim 11 , wherein each of the permanent magnet spheroids comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: nickel, neodymium, samarium, mu-metal, cobalt, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical cable of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second chain of permanent magnet spheroids disposed within the sheath, wherein the spheroids in the second chain are physically and electrically coupled in series with each other;   an insulator disposed within the sheath and separating the first and second chains of permanent magnet spheroids from each other;   a third signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the second chain of permanent magnet spheroids; and   a fourth signal contact mechanically attached to the second connector body, and electrically connected to the second chain of permanent magnet spheroids.   
     
     
         14 . The electrical cable of  claim 11 , wherein each of the permanent magnet spheroids is a sphere. 
     
     
         15 . The electrical cable of  claim 11 , wherein each of the permanent magnet spheroids is an oblate sphere. 
     
     
         16 . The electrical cable of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a ground signal wire disposed within the sheath; and   an insulator disposed within the sheath and separating the ground signal wire from the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids.   
     
     
         17 . The electrical cable of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first ground signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the ground signal wire; and   a second ground signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the ground signal wire.   
     
     
         18 . The electrical cable of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second active signal contacts is a pin. 
     
     
         19 . A method of forming an electrical cable, the method comprising:
 forming a first chain of permanent magnet spheroids physically and electrically coupled in series with each other;   disposing the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids an elongated insulating sheath;   attaching a first active signal contact to a first connector body;   attaching the first connector body to a first end of the sheath;   electrically connecting the first active signal contact to the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids;   attaching a second active signal contact to a second connector body;   attaching the second connector body to a second end of the sheath; and   electrically connecting the second active signal contact to the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 disposing a first ground signal wire in the elongated insulating sheath and insulated from the first chain of permanent magnet spheroids;   attaching a third signal contact to the first connector body;   electrically connecting the third signal contact to the ground signal wire;   attaching a fourth signal contact to the second connector body; and   electrically connecting the fourth signal contact to the ground signal wire.