US4700054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical devices comprising fabrics
Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1985-05-17
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Granted: 1987-10-13
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Expires: 2005-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An electrical heater which comprises a fabric prepared from at least one of the electrodes and another elongate element of substantially higher resistance. The heater preferably comprises a PTC element, e.g. of a conductive polymer, to render the heater self-regulating. The PTC element may be in the form of a fiber forming part of the fabric, or a layer surrounding one of the electrodes, or a laminar element in which the fabric is embedded. The fabric can if desired be laminated to a sheet of a polymer, e.g. an insulating polymer or a ZTC conductive polymer. A shrinkable fabric heater can be made by incorporating a heat-shrinkable non-conductive filament into the fabric, perpendicular to both electrodes, and is useful for example for enclosing splices in telephone cables.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Triplett
- 👤 Paul B. Germeraad
- 👤 Randolph W. Chan
- 👤 Michael L. Jensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:32
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/20; H05B3/34; H05B3/342; H05B3/10; H05B3/12; H05B3/14; H05B3/146; H05B3/36; H05B2203/00; H05B2203/002; H05B2203/005; H05B2203/011; H05B2203/013; H05B2203/014; H05B2203/017; H05B2203/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An electrical heater which comprises a fabric comprising elongate elements which are interlaced together in an ordered array and at least some of which comprise a component composed of material having a resistivity greater than 10 -5 ohm.cm, said heater comprising (1) a first elongate electrode which forms at least part of one of said interlaced elements; (2) a second elongate electrode which forms at least part of one of said interlaced elements; (3) a PTC element which is in the form of a layer electrically surrounding the first electrode and which (a) exhibits PTC behavior, and (b) is composed of a conductive polymer which comprises a polymeric component and particulate conductive polymer dispersed in the polymeric component; and (4) a substantially continuous laminar element which is composed of a ZTC conductive polymer and through which current passes when the electrodes are connected to a source of electrical power.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An electrical heater which comprises a fabric comprising elongate elements which are interlaced together in an ordered array and at least some of which comprise a component composed of material having a resistivity greater than 10 -5 ohm.cm, said heater comprising (1) a first elongate electrode which forms at least part of one of said interlaced elements; (2) a second elongate electrode which forms at least part of one of said interlaced elements; (3) a PTC element which is in the form of a layer electrically surrounding the first electrode and which (a) exhibits PTC behavior, and (b) is composed of a conductive polymer which comprises a polymeric component and particulate conductive polymer dispersed in the polymeric component; and (4) a substantially continuous laminar element which is composed of a ZTC conductive polymer and through which current passes when the electrodes are connected to a source of electrical power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heater according to claim 1 wherein one of said interlaced elongate elements is an element which is electrically non-conductive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A heater according to claim 2 wherein said non-conductive element is thermally responsive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A heater according to claim 2 wherein said non-conductive element is heat-recoverable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heater according to claim 2 wherein said non-conductive element is composed of a non-tracking polymeric composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A heater according to claim 4 wherein each of the first and second electrodes is composed of a metal, and the non-conductive element is a heat-shrinkable elongate element which shrinks when heated to a temperature T shrink and which is composed of an electrically insulating polymeric composition; said first, second and heat-shrinkable element is a heat-fabric prepared by weaving the first, second and heat-shrinkable elements together; whereby, when the first and second electrodes are connected to a suitable source of electrical power, current flows through the ZTC element and causes shrinkage of of the heat-shrinkable element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A heater according to claim 6 wherein at all temperatures between 0° C. and T shrink of the heat-shrinkable element, the resistance of the ZTC element is greater than the resistance of the PTC element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A heater according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said interlaced elements consists essentially of a PTC conductive polymer which is different from the conductive polymer which is in the form of a layer surrounding the first electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A heater according to claim 1 which comprises at least one layer of polymeric material which has been laminated to the fabric with the aid of heat and pressure under conditions such that the polymeric material flows into the fabric and the outer surface of the PTC element surrounding the first electrode is deformed but does not melt or flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A heater according to claim 1 which comprises a fabric prepared by weaving together a first elongate element which consists of the first electrode in the form of a metal wire and the PTC element surrounding the first electrode, and a second elongate element which consists of the second electrode in the form of a metal wire.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-12 | 1991-04-13 | 1991-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-12 | 1995-04-13 | 1995-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-12 | 1999-04-13 | 1999-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |