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.