← Back to Patent Explorer
US5247276A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ptc device

Assignee: Daito Communication Apparatus Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1991-04-23
•
Granted: 1993-09-21
•
Expires: 2011-04-23
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A self-recovery PTC device for overcurrent protection of electrical circuits is made with a polymer/metal powder composition electrode that displays stable resistivity over a broad range of contact forces. Secure bonding of electrodes to a PTC element is achieved because both components are polymer composites, eliminating the problems associated with attempts to bond metal electrodes to a polymer PTC element. Swelling of metal electrodes, that results from outgassing by a PTC element, is also eliminated, because polymer electrodes are gas permeable.

Inventors

  • 👤 Naoki Yamazaki

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 22:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C1/00; H01C1/14; H01C1/1406

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 57 words
A PTC device comprising: a PTC element formed of a PTC composition; at least two electrodes formed of an electrode composition; said electrode composition has a higher melting point than said PTC composition; said electrode composition being a polymer containing metal particles dispersed therein; and said at least two electrodes being integrally affixed to said PTC element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 57 words
A PTC device comprising: a PTC element formed of a PTC composition; at least two electrodes formed of an electrode composition; said electrode composition has a higher melting point than said PTC composition; said electrode composition being a polymer containing metal particles dispersed therein; and said at least two electrodes being integrally affixed to said PTC element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein: said PTC composition of said PTC element includes a crystalline polymer having carbonaceous conductive particles dispersed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein: said polymer of said electrode composition having a mixture of metal powder and carbonaceous conductive particles dispersed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein a volume resistivity of said at least two electrodes is less than about 4.0×10 -1 ohm.cm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein said polymer of said electrode composition is a derivative graft-polymerized onto the backbone of polyolefin with a monomer having a functional group.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein said metal particles of said electrode composition are nickel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein said PTC composition and said electrode composition are cross-linked.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein said PTC element and electrode together form a self-recovery overcurrent protection element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The PTC device of claim 1, wherein: said PTC device being adapted for fitting into a holder; and said holder having at least two metal terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 85 words
A PTC device comprising: a PTC element formed of a PTC composition; at least two electrodes formed of an electrode composition; said electrode composition has a higher melting point than said PTC composition; said electrode composition being polymer dispersed metal particles; said at least two electrodes being integrally formed with said PTC element; said polymer of said electrode composition is a derivative graft-polymerized onto a backbone of polyolefin with a monomer having a functional group; and said PTC composition and said electrode composition are cross-linked.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 85 words
A PTC device comprising: a PTC element formed of a PTC composition; at least two electrodes formed of an electrode composition; said electrode composition has a higher melting point than said PTC composition; said electrode composition being polymer dispersed metal particles; said at least two electrodes being integrally formed with said PTC element; said polymer of said electrode composition is a derivative graft-polymerized onto a backbone of polyolefin with a monomer having a functional group; and said PTC composition and said electrode composition are cross-linked.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 70 words
A PTC device comprising: a PTC element formed of a PTC composition; at least two electrodes formed of an electrode composition; said electrode composition being polymer dispersed metal particles; said at least two electrodes being integrally formed with said PTC element; said electrode composition has a higher melting point than said PTC composition; and a volume resistivity of said at least two electrodes is less than about 4.0×10 -1 ohm.cm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 70 words
A PTC device comprising: a PTC element formed of a PTC composition; at least two electrodes formed of an electrode composition; said electrode composition being polymer dispersed metal particles; said at least two electrodes being integrally formed with said PTC element; said electrode composition has a higher melting point than said PTC composition; and a volume resistivity of said at least two electrodes is less than about 4.0×10 -1 ohm.cm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 16 words
The PTC device of claim 11, wherein said metal particles of said electrode composition are nickel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 21 words
The PTC device of claim 11, wherein said electrode composition, in addition to said metal particles, also contains carbonaceous conductive particles.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 88 words
A method for making a PTC device comprising: mixing together a carbon black and a first polymer to produce a PTC composition; said carbon black and said first polymer being of a type providing a PTC characteristic; forming said PTC composition into a PTC element; cross-linking said first polymer in said PTC element; mixing together a metal powder and a second polymer to produce an electrode composition; said electrode composition having a higher melting point than said PTC composition; and molding said electrode composition to said PTC element.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 88 words
A method for making a PTC device comprising: mixing together a carbon black and a first polymer to produce a PTC composition; said carbon black and said first polymer being of a type providing a PTC characteristic; forming said PTC composition into a PTC element; cross-linking said first polymer in said PTC element; mixing together a metal powder and a second polymer to produce an electrode composition; said electrode composition having a higher melting point than said PTC composition; and molding said electrode composition to said PTC element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of molding includes compression molding.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 18 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of molding is performed after the step of cross-linking.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3432355A Cited
US4053864A Cited
US4241289A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-09-20 1997-03-22 1997-09-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-09-20 2001-03-22 2001-09-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-09-20 2005-03-22 2005-09-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag