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Method of making a nitrogen dioxide sensing element

Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
•
Filing: 1978-11-02
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Granted: 1980-12-02
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Expires: 1998-11-02
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Abstract

Abstract A method of making an element for sensing the presence of nitrogen dioxide gas in the environment. The element is formed by heating a film of an electrically non-conductive polyaromatic polymer to a temperature sufficiently high to pyrolyze the polymer and render the polymer semi-conductive. The pyrolyzed film is mounted on an electrically non-conductive base. Electrical leads are attached at spaced locations to the film and are connected in an electrical circuit with a signalling or control mechanism. The presence of nitrogen dioxide gas will cause a change in the electrical characteristics of the film to thereby activate the mechanism. A heating element can be associated with the base to insure constant temperature and humidity conditions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jeannine O. Colla
  • 👤 Paul E. Thoma

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 13:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C17/00; H01C17/06; H01C17/20; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/12; G01N33/00; G01N33/0004; G01N33/0009; G01N33/0027; G01N33/0036; G01N33/0037; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00; Y02A50/20; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49174; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/17; Y10T436/177692; Y10T436/178459

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 66 words
A method of making an element capable of sensing the presence of nitrogen dioxide in the environment, comprising the steps of heating a film of an electrically non-conductive polyaromatic polymer to a temperature in the range of 540° C. to 750° C. in a non-oxidizng atmosphere to pyrolyze the polymer and render said polymer semi-conductive, and attaching electrical leads at spaced locations to said pyrolyzed film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 66 words
A method of making an element capable of sensing the presence of nitrogen dioxide in the environment, comprising the steps of heating a film of an electrically non-conductive polyaromatic polymer to a temperature in the range of 540° C. to 750° C. in a non-oxidizng atmosphere to pyrolyze the polymer and render said polymer semi-conductive, and attaching electrical leads at spaced locations to said pyrolyzed film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 1, and including the step of selecting said polymer from the group consisting of polyamides, polyamideimides, polyimides and polybenzimidazoles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1, and including the step of bonding the pyrolyzed film to a surface of an electrically non-conductive base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 1, and including the step of placing the film between sheets of porous graphite prior to the step of heating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 1, and including the step of depositing layers of a non-corroding metal at spaced locations on said film, and attaching said electrical leads to said layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of depositing layers of a non-corroding metal comprises depositing said metal by electroless chemical plating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heating comprises heating the film in a vacuum environment of less than 1×10 -2 torr.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 1, and including the step of selecting a polymer that contains nitrogen as a part of the polymer structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said bonding comprises the step of utilizing an epoxy resin to bond the film to said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of depositing layers comprising depositing said layers by vapor deposition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of attaching electrical leads comprises attaching with a solder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of attaching electrical leads comprises attaching with an electrically conductive epoxy resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 3, and including the step of applying a heating means to the opposite surface of said base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 13, including the step of providing an electrical heating element as said heating means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 89 words
A method of making an element capable of sensing the presence of nitrogen dioxide in the environment, comprising the steps of heating a film of an electrically non-conductive polyaromatic polymer to a temperature in the range of 540° C. to 750° C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to pyrolyze the polymer and render said polymer semi-conductive, said polymer being selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyamideimides, polyimides and polybenzimidazoles, bonding the pyrolyzed film to an electrically non-conductive base and attaching electrical leads at spaced locations to said pyrolyzed film.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 89 words
A method of making an element capable of sensing the presence of nitrogen dioxide in the environment, comprising the steps of heating a film of an electrically non-conductive polyaromatic polymer to a temperature in the range of 540° C. to 750° C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to pyrolyze the polymer and render said polymer semi-conductive, said polymer being selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyamideimides, polyimides and polybenzimidazoles, bonding the pyrolyzed film to an electrically non-conductive base and attaching electrical leads at spaced locations to said pyrolyzed film.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-12-02 1984-06-02 1984-12-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-12-02 1988-06-02 1988-12-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-12-02 1992-06-02 1992-12-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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