US5431571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical conductive polymer matrix
Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-22
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Granted: 1995-07-11
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Expires: 2013-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrical interconnect is described which is a structure comprising a polymer matrix of a microstructure of nodes separated by void spaces and being interconnected by fibrils. The nodes are generally aligned elongated columns and have conductive particles embedded in them. The void spaces may be filled with a nonconductive adhesive.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Hanrahan
- 👤 Daniel D. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/22; H01R13/24; H01R13/2407; H01R13/2414; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/321; H05K3/323; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/01; H05K2201/0104; H05K2201/0116; H05K2201/02; H05K2201/0275; H05K2201/0278; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/032; H05K2201/0323; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10227; H05K2201/10378; H05K3/36; H05K3/361; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/071; H10W72/073; H10W72/074; H10W72/30; H10W72/321; H10W72/325; H10W72/351; H10W72/353; H10W72/354; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/901; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49126; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249955; Y10T428/249958; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A composition which comprises a planar material having x, y and z axes comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A composition which comprises a planar material having x, y and z axes comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 1 in the form of a sheet having electrical conductivity in one plane while being substantially non-conductive in the other two planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition of claim 1 or 2 in which the polymer matrix is comprised of stretched, porous polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 3 in which the conductive particles are carbon black.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
An electrical elastomeric connector made of the composition of in claim 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A composition which comprises a planar material having x, y and z axes comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to defined void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material; and said void space being substantially filled with a nonconductive polymeric resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A composition which comprises a planar material having x, y and z axes comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to defined void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material; and said void space being substantially filled with a nonconductive polymeric resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 6 in the form of a sheet having electrical conductivity in one plane while being substantially non-conductive in the other two planes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The composition of claim 6 or 7 in which the polymeric resin is an uncured adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The composition of claim 6 or 7 in which the polymeric resin is a cured adhesive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
In combination a pair of opposed, spaced-apart conductive members, and a generally planar interconnect sandwiched between the conductive members and in contact therewith, the interconnect comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
In combination a pair of opposed, spaced-apart conductive members, and a generally planar interconnect sandwiched between the conductive members and in contact therewith, the interconnect comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for establishing electrical connection between two opposed conductive members comprising the step of sandwiching an interconnect structure between the opposed conductive members, said interconnect structure comprised of a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material; and causing an electrical current to flow through the interconnect structure from one opposing conductive member to the other.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for establishing electrical connection between two opposed conductive members comprising the step of sandwiching an interconnect structure between the opposed conductive members, said interconnect structure comprised of a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material; and causing an electrical current to flow through the interconnect structure from one opposing conductive member to the other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
In combination, a pair of opposed, spaced-apart conductive members, and a generally planar interconnect structure, said interconnect structure being sandwiched between the conductive members and in contact therewith, the interconnect structure comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material, and said void space being substantially filled with a nonconductive adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
In combination, a pair of opposed, spaced-apart conductive members, and a generally planar interconnect structure, said interconnect structure being sandwiched between the conductive members and in contact therewith, the interconnect structure comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material, and said void space being substantially filled with a nonconductive adhesive.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for establishing electrical connection between two opposed conductive members comprising the step of sandwiching a polymer interconnect structure between the opposed conductive members, said interconnect structure comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material, and said void spaces being substantially filled with a nonconductive adhesive; and causing an electrical current to flow through the interconnect structure from one opposing conductive member to the other.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for establishing electrical connection between two opposed conductive members comprising the step of sandwiching a polymer interconnect structure between the opposed conductive members, said interconnect structure comprising a polymer matrix of a plurality of generally aligned elongated columns of solid nodular material interconnected by fibrils but separated so as to define void space in the microstructure, said solid material having conductive material embedded therein, said fibrils and void space being substantially free of conductive material, and said void spaces being substantially filled with a nonconductive adhesive; and causing an electrical current to flow through the interconnect structure from one opposing conductive member to the other.
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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) | 1998-07-10 | 1999-01-09 | 1999-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-10 | 2003-01-09 | 2003-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-10 | 2007-01-09 | 2007-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |