The invention relates to electric conductors. More particularly the invention relates to electric conductors with enhanced current carrying capacity. BACKGROUND

Electrical conductors, such as wires used for transmission of electric current are vital components of electromagnetism, electricity generation and transmission of electrical energy from one point to other. Although magnetism and electricity generation have undergone a sea of change since their inception, the electrical conductor, that is the wire, especially those used in areas of low frequency, has remained the same.

Electric conductors are typically round, cylindrical shaped copper wires. The wires and cables meant for transmission of electricity at low frequency are typically an insulated bunch of many thin strands of wires formed of a standard thickness or gauge.

The resistance that is faced by a current when it flows through a conductor depends upon the resistivity of the conductor as well as its area of cross section and its length. In wires that carry alternating current, the current tends to move towards the outer surface of the wire and away from the center due to the phenomenon of "skin effect". At very high frequencies the current only flows on the surface of the wire, within a thickness of a few skin depths.

In order to address the skin effect that occurs during the flow of alternating current various wires have been designed, including wires with a hollow core. In addition it has also been proposed to increase the surface area of the conductors in order to increase the area for the flow of electricity, by making wires square or flat or by introducing grooves on the surface of the wire. However, in addition to increasing surface area, it is also important to increase the electron density, particularly at the surface area.

Due to the growing need for electricity and rising copper price, there is a need for electric conductors that are efficient and cost effective. The conductor should be such that it has enhanced current carrying capacity but preferably uses lesser material to reduce resistance and cost.

The shape of a conductor defines its efficiency as the concentration of charged electrons tends to be higher with an increase in the curvature of the conductor and lower in flat surfaces. A conductor with a flat surface tends to have lesser concentration of electrons than on a higher curvature. Accordingly, round and cylindrical shaped conductors are preferred over square and triangular shaped conductors with flat sides that do not utilize the full potential of the conductors conductive characteristics.

Moreover the conductor should be such that it can allow a cheaper alternative such as aluminum to be utilized for making conductors with enhanced efficiency that could perform near copper conductor standards in its existing form today.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to an electric conductor including a core; and at least two elliptical projections extending outwards from the core.

The invention also relates to an electric conductor including a core; at least two projections extending outwards from the core; and a groove formed between the projections.

The invention also relates to a wire comprising an electric conductor including a core; at least two projections extending outwards from the core; and an insulating sheath covering the conductor.

DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the following detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of an electric conductor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of an electric conductor in accordance with another embodiment of the invention depicting axis and dimensions of the electric conductor and its components.

Figure 3 illustrates an elliptical projection in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a part exploded view of an electric conductor in accordance with another embodiment.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of an electric conductor in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of an electric conductor with projections in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 illustrates embodiments of the projections extending outwards from the core of an electric conductor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 illustrates embodiments of the projections extending outwards from the core of an electric conductor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 illustrates a wire in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 illustrates an example of an electric conductor in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Throughout the patent specification, a convention employed is that in the appended drawings, like numerals denote like components.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" "an embodiment" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

With reference to figure 1, an electric conductor (10) in accordance with an embodiment is illustrated. The electric conductor (10) includes a core (12) and at least two elliptical projections (14) extending outwards from the core (12). The number of elliptical

projections (14) may be an even number. In the embodiment illustrated, the core (12) is shown to have eight elliptical projections (14) extending outwards from the core (12). The elliptical projections (14) may be placed in accordance with a pattern around the core (12). By way of example, two or more elliptical projections (14) may be grouped together and may be placed diametrically opposite from another group of elliptical projections (14). The elliptical projections (14) may be equally spaced around the core (12). In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the elliptical projections (14) are equally spaced along the core (12).

With reference to figure 2, wherein an alternate embodiment of the conductor is depicted, the elliptical projection (14) is formed of a major axis (a), a minor axis (b) and is defined by focal points (Fl and F2). For a core (12) with a radius (r) and defining an outer surface (18) the elliptical projection (14) is positioned such that the major axis (a) is axially aligned with the radius (r) of the core (12), as illustrated. Part of the elliptical projection (14) overlaps with the core (12). The portion of the elliptical projection (14) that overlaps with the core is kept to a minimum that is required to maintain strength of the electric conductor (10). In accordance with an aspect the radius of the core (r) is not more than seventy percent of the radius of the electric conductor (R). Alternatively, the portion of the projection (14) that overlaps with the core is such that the total area of curvature of the electric conductor is maximized. The portion of the elliptical projection (14) that overlaps with the core (12) depends also on the dimensions of the core and the elliptical projections. For larger sized electric conductors, both focal points of the elliptical projection (14) may be positioned outside the core (12). In accordance with an aspect, one of the focal points (Fl) of the elliptical projection (14) is positioned on the outer surface (18) of the core (12) while the other focal point (F2) lies outside the core (12).

In accordance with an embodiment, the tip (20) of the elliptical projection (14) may be modified to alter the curvature of the elliptical projection. With reference to figure 3, axis (c) of the elliptical projection (14) is drawn perpendicular to the major axis (a) at focal point (F2). The tip (20) may be spherical (20a) as illustrated by figure 3. Alternatively, the tip (20) may be modified to increase the curvature of the elliptical projection (14), indicated by (20b) in figure 3.

With reference to figures 1 and 4 and in accordance with a further embodiment, the elliptical projections are separated by a groove or depression (16) that is formed on the outer surface (18) of the core (12). The groove (16) may be concave, U shaped, V shaped, convex or concavo convex. In the embodiment illustrated by figures 1 and 4, the groove (16) is shown as concave.

In accordance with another embodiment and as illustrated by figure 5, an electric conductor (10) includes a core (12) and at least two projections (22) extending outwards from the core (12). The projections may be separated by a groove or depression that is formed on the outer surface of the core. In the embodiment illustrated, the projections (22) are separated by a groove or depression (16) that is formed on the outer surface (18) of the core (12). The groove (16) may be concave, U shaped, V shaped, convex or concavo convex. In the embodiment illustrated by figure 5, the groove (16) is shown as concave.

The projection (22) extending from the core may be elliptical including circular, triangular, or other shapes including convex and concavo convex shaped projections as illustrated in figure 6. Part of the projection (22) overlaps with the core (12). The portion of the projection (22) that overlaps with the core is kept to a minimum that is required to maintain strength of the electric conductor (10). Alternatively, the portion of the projection

(22) that overlaps with the core is such that the total area of curvature of the electric conductor is maximized. In accordance with an aspect the radius of the core (r) is not more than seventy percent of the radius of the electric conductor (R). The portion of the projection (22) that overlaps with the core (12) depends also on the dimensions of the core (12) and the projection (22). For larger sized electric conductors, the area of the portion that overlaps with the core (12) is less than twenty percent of the total area of the projection (22).

In accordance with an aspect the projection (22) is a polygon. The end points of the polygon may be connected by straight or curved lines. The curved lines may be concave or convex and the polygon may be formed of either or both of such lines. By way of a specific example and with reference to figure 5 again, the projection (22) is octagonal shaped defined by points (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H). In the embodiment illustrated, the octagon is formed of curved convex lines. The curvature of the curved lines is maximized.

With reference to figure 7, an embodiment of the projection (14) described in the embodiment of figure 1 is illustrated. By way of example, the elliptical projection (14) is provided with at least one groove or depression (24) on its outer surface (26). The groove (24) may be concave, U shaped, V shaped, convex or concavo convex. In the embodiment illustrated by figure 6, the groove (24) is shown as concave.

In the embodiment illustrated by figure 7, the elliptical projection (14) is provided with two grooves (24) that are oppositely placed on the outer surface (26) of the elliptical projection (14). The groove (24) is placed at the point of intersection between the minor axis (b) of the elliptical projection and the outer surface (26).

With reference to figure 8, another embodiment of the projection (14) described in the embodiment of figure 1 is illustrated. By way of example, at least a part of the outer surface (26) of the elliptical projection (14) is in the form of a wave or convexo concave shaped.

Similarly, the embodiments of the projection (14) described and illustrated by figures 7 and 8 may be equally applied to the projection (22) described in the embodiment illustrated by figure 5. Specifically, the projection (22) may be provided with at least one groove or depression (24) on its outer surface (26). The groove may be concave, U shaped, V shaped, convex or concavo convex. The projection (22) may be provided with two grooves that are oppositely placed on the outer surface of the projection (22). At least a part of the outer surface (26) of the projection (22) may also be in the form of a wave or convexo concave shaped.

With reference to figure 9, a wire (28) in accordance with an embodiment is illustrated. The wire includes an electric conductor (10) that is covered by a protective coating (30). The electric conductor is formed in accordance with the embodiments described and illustrated by figures 1 and 5. Specifically the electric conductor (10) includes a core (12) and at least two projections (22) extending outwards from the core (12).

The projection (22) may be an ellipse, triangle or polygon. The portion of the projection (22) that overlaps with the core is kept to a minimum that is required to maintain strength of the electric conductor (10). Alternatively, the portion of the projection (22) that overlaps with the core is such that the total area of curvature of the electric conductor is maximized. In accordance with an aspect at least half of the elliptical projection extends outwards from the core.

The projections are separated by a groove (16). The groove (16) may be concave, U shaped, V shaped, convex or concavo convex. In the embodiment illustrated by figure 8, the groove (16) is shown as concave.

The protective coating (30) may be an insulation made up of PVC, polyethylene, crosslinked polyethylene, oil impregnated paper, Teflon, silicone, or modified ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

The electric conductor (10) may be formed of conducting material including but not limited to copper, aluminum, iron or their alloys.

The electric conductor may be formed by draw forming with a draw die or press forming with a press roller. The projections may also be formed by an electrical method with laser, maser, arc or plasma or by grinding with a diamond fine tool and Numerical control (NC) machine.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The electric conductor and the wire in accordance with embodiments of the invention enhance the electron density and electric field strength of the conductor by reducing the resistive areas of the conductor and by optimizing the electron transfer efficiency. The electric conductor of the invention also requires lesser material than the conventional circular or cylindrical electric conductors.

The electric conductor of the invention increases the area of curvature on the surface and accordingly re-engineers the electron flow mechanism by widening the "preferred" path of electricity flow, or areas with minimum resistivity, thereby allowing a

free and efficient flow of electrons while also accommodating more electrons and increasing the electron density.

The electrical conductor can be used for transmission of electricity both in low and high frequency areas, including domestic and industrial applications.

By way of a specific example a wire in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figure 10. The following example is provided to explain and illustrate certain embodiment of the invention. The electric conductor (10) in accordance with the illustrated embodiment has a diameter of 4mm and the radius (R) of 2mm. The core (12) of the conductor has a radius (r) of 2.1 mm. The conductor (10) in the illustrated embodiment has eight elliptical projections (14) that extend outwards from the core (12) of the electric conductor (10). The elliptical projections (14) have a major axis (a) of 1.2 mm and a minor axis (b) of 0.6 mm. The elliptical projections (14) are separated by a concave groove (16) that is formed on the outer surface 18 of the core (12) having a radius of curvature of 0.18 mm. As illustrated, part of the elliptical projection (14) overlaps with the core (12) and the area between two adjacent projections (14) is provided with 9 grooves

(16).

The present invention can be further modified within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the embodiments and example disclosed herein described the present invention in detail, but do not limit or restrict the scope if the invention. The disclosure is intended to cover such departures from the disclosed embodiments as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.