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EP0045630A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Devices comprising conductive polymers and method of making them

Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1981-07-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-07-30
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Abstract

Abstract Electrical devices comprise a conductive polymer element (1,2) and, in physical and electrical contact therewith, a frame-sprayed layer (5) of a metal or other highly conductive material. Electrical leads (7) can readily be attached to the flame-sprayed layer. Preferably there is a foraminous element (3), e.g. a metal mesh, at the interface between the flame-sprayed layer and the conductive polymer element. Particularly valuable devices are those in which at least part of the conductive polymer element is a PTC conductive polymer. The flame-sprayed layer can be formed directly by flame-spraying a suitable material onto the device, or by flame-spraying the material onto a carrier and then laminating the layer, on the carrier, to the device. A typical device is illustrated in Figure 1.

Inventors

  • 👤 Raymond Francis Cardinal
  • 👤 Jack Mclean Walker

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 13:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C1/00; H01C1/14; H01C1/1406; H01C7/00; H01C7/02; H01C7/027

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 99 words
An electrical device which comprises a conductive polymer element and an electrode in contact therewith, characterised by comprising (a) a conductive polymer element composed of a conductive polymer composition; (b) a foraminous element which is in physical contact with a surface of the conductive polymer element; and (c) a flame-sprayed layer of a conductive material which at 25°C has a resistivity of at most 2 x 10 -2 ohm.cm, said layer being at least 0.0025 cm thick and being in adherent physical contact with the foraminous element and with the conductive polymer composition in interstices of the foraminous element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 99 words
An electrical device which comprises a conductive polymer element and an electrode in contact therewith, characterised by comprising (a) a conductive polymer element composed of a conductive polymer composition; (b) a foraminous element which is in physical contact with a surface of the conductive polymer element; and (c) a flame-sprayed layer of a conductive material which at 25°C has a resistivity of at most 2 x 10 -2 ohm.cm, said layer being at least 0.0025 cm thick and being in adherent physical contact with the foraminous element and with the conductive polymer composition in interstices of the foraminous element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the conductive polymer composition exhibits PTC behaviour.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the foraminous element is electrically conducting, preferably a metal mesh.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the foraminous element is electrically insulating, preferably a fabric of glass fibers.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 32 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the flame-sprayed layer is composed of a metal and is at least 0.0075cm thick, preferably 0.0075 to 0.05cm thick.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 66 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by comprising at least two said flame-sprayed layers, each of the flame-sprayed layers having secured thereto an electrical lead which is soldered or welded to the flame-sprayed layer, and the flame-sprayed layers being positioned so that when the electrical leads are connected to a source of electrical power, current passes through the conductive polymer element.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 46 words
A method of making an electrical device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by forming the flame-sprayed layer by flame-spraying the conductive material onto a surface provided by the foraminous element and the conductive polymer composition in interstices of the foraminous element.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 84 words
A method of making an electrical device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised by (a) flame-spraying the conductive material onto the surface of a carrier member to form a layer of the conductive material which is at least 0.0025cm thick; and (b) contacting the flame-sprayed layer, on the carrier member, with a surface provided by the foraminous element and the conductive polymer composition in interstices of the foraminous element,the contacting being carried out under conditions of heat and pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method according to claim 8 characterised in that the carrier member is a polymeric film, preferably an electrically insulating polymeric film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 51 words
A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterised by comprising, after step (b), the further steps of (c) removing at least part of said carrier member to provide an exposed surface of the flame-sprayed layer; and (d) securing an electrical lead to the exposed surface, preferably by soldering or welding.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 110 words
A method of forming a highly conductive layer on a surface of an element composed of a conductive polymer composition, which method is characterised by (a) flame-spraying, onto the surface of a carrier member, a conductive material which at 25°C has a resistivity of at most 5 x 10- 2 ohm.cm, to form a layer of said material which is at least 0.0025cm thick; and (b) contacting the flame-sprayed layer, on the carrier member, and a surface of said element, the contacting being carried out under conditions of heat and pressure to form an adherent layer of said conductive material which is in physical and electrical contact with said element.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 110 words
A method of forming a highly conductive layer on a surface of an element composed of a conductive polymer composition, which method is characterised by (a) flame-spraying, onto the surface of a carrier member, a conductive material which at 25°C has a resistivity of at most 5 x 10- 2 ohm.cm, to form a layer of said material which is at least 0.0025cm thick; and (b) contacting the flame-sprayed layer, on the carrier member, and a surface of said element, the contacting being carried out under conditions of heat and pressure to form an adherent layer of said conductive material which is in physical and electrical contact with said element.

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