Patents Represented by Attorney Timothy H. P. Richardson

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  • Heated dish antennas
    Patent number: 4866452
    Abstract: A dish antenna for receiving or transmitting signals, e.g. via a satellite, is heated by means of radiant heat from an electrical heater located behind the antenna and spaced apart therefrom. This keeps the antenna free from ice and snow and minimizes distortion. The heater is preferably a self-regulating sheet heater comprising a PTC conductive polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Pradeep Barma, Chi-Ming Chan
  • Detection apparatus
    Patent number: 4862146
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the occurrence of an event, e.g. the presence of a liquid leak. The apparatus includes an elongate flexible core consisting of elongate elements which are twisted together. The elongate elements comprise first and second sensing members, which each have an electrically conductive outer surface and are physically separated from one another, and at least two elongate insulating members. These elongate elements are covered by a flexible braid which exerts a compressive force on the core. In one aspect of the invention, the flexible braid undergoes a reversible change in appearance when exposed to electrolyte, indicating the location of a leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth McCoy, Neil Edwards, Robert Wasley, Denis Wales
  • Method and apparatus for electrically heating diesel fuel utilizing a PTC polymer heating element
    Patent number: 4861966
    Abstract: Diesel fuel is heated prior to filtration by passing it in thermal contact with a laminar heater immersed in the fuel. The heater has a resistance at room temperature of 0.30 to 0.75 ohm and comprises a PTC conductive polymer resistive heating element sandwiched between equispaced imperforate metal foil electrodes, particularly electrodeposited foil electrodes, coextensive with resistive heating element. The conductive polymer has a resistivity at room temperature of 20 to 2000 ohm - cm. The resistive element has a cross-sectional area in a plane parallel to the electrodes of 3 to 10 square inches and the electrodes have a microrough surface in direct physical contact with the conductive polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Matthiesen, Michelle Small
  • Method of forming a bearing by dimensional recovery of a race or rolling element
    Patent number: 4858293
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel bearings and methods for making bearings. The method comprises dimensionally recovering at least one race or rolling or sliding element such that a rolling element is free to roll or slide yet contained within the race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Nachum Rosenzweig
  • Melt-shapeable fluoropolymer compositions
    Patent number: 4859836
    Abstract: Melt-shapeable polymeric compositions comprising a first fluoropolymer of relatively low crystallinity, e.g. a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluorinated comonomer, and a second fluoropolymer of relatively high crystallinity, especially a fluoropolymer obtained by irradiating PTFE or another fluoropolymer which cannot be melt-shaped in the absence of other polymers. The weight ratio of the first to the second polymer is preferably 0.3:1 to 2.5:1. The compositions have a wide variety of uses, for example as insulating materials or, if they contain carbon black or another conductive filler, as PTC conductive polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Hans E. Lunk, Donald A. Reed, Marguerite E. Deep, Charles Hill, Andrew Au
  • Electrical devices comprising cross-linked conductive polymers
    Patent number: 4857880
    Abstract: Electrical devices containing PTC conductive polymers which have been cross-linked in two steps, preferably by radiation. The conductive polymer is heat-treated above the temperature at which it begins to melt between the two cross-linking steps, and/or the cross-linking steps are such that a center section of the conductive polymer, intermediate the electrodes, is substantially more cross-linked than the conductive polymer adjacent the electrodes. The process is particularly useful for the preparation of circuit protection devices which are subject to high voltage faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew N. Au, Marguerite E. Deep, Timothy E. Fahey, Stephen M. Jacobs
  • Mesh electrodes and clips for use in preparing them
    Patent number: 4855024
    Abstract: Mesh anodes, particularly suitable for use in the cathodic protection of reinforcing bars in concrete, make use of resiliently deformable conductive clips. The clips secure together portions of the same or different elongate electrodes at spaced-apart junctions of a mesh formed by the electrode(s), thus providing electrical and mechanical connection between the electrode portions at the junctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Drachnik, Joseph Kheder, S. Alan Aspey
  • Method of using heat-recoverable articles comprising conductive polymer compositions
    Patent number: 4853165
    Abstract: Methods of modifying substrates, in particular joining pipes, especially pipes composed of glass fiber-reinforced polymers, make use of heat-recoverable conductive polymer articles. An insert is placed between the substrate and the article, and undergoes a desired chemical and/or physical change when the article is recovered. Preferably the insert is a fiber-reinforced thermosetting polymer which is cured in situ against the substrate. Preferably the conductive polymer is a sintered material or another material having good physical properties above its recovery temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Nachum Rosenzweig, Pravin L. Soni
  • Self-regulating heater employing reactive components
    Patent number: 4849611
    Abstract: Novel electrical heater which are self-regulating as a result of appropriate combination of a constant current or constant voltage power source with a resistive heating component and a temperature-sensitive component. Preferred heaters comprise a plurality of heating units, each of which heating units comprises a reactive component, a resistive heating component, and a temperature-responsive component. Self-regulation of the heater may be achieved in a number of different ways, including the use of employing a reactive component and a temperature-responsive component which form a combination exhibiting an impedance which changes with temperature. The temperature-responsive component can for example change in dielectric constant, or in permeability or in shape, or can effect changes in the frequencies inputted to the reactive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Wells Whitney, Brian Kennedy, Chester Sandberg
  • Method of making a PTC conductive polymer electrical device
    Patent number: 4845838
    Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltages of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation. The radiation dosage may be, for example, a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection devices and layered heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Jacobs, Mary S. McTavish, Frank A. Doljack
  • Electrical devices comprising fabrics
    Patent number: 4845343
    Abstract: An electrical heater which includes a fabric prepared from electrodes and an elongate resistive heating element which is composed of a conductive polymer, preferably a PTC conductive polymer, to render the heater self-regulating. The fabric is laminated to, and preferably embedded in, a sheet of an insulating polymer, particularly a non-tracking insulating polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Ted M. Aune, Paul B. Germeraad, Randolph W. Chan
  • Branched sensor system
    Patent number: 4843327
    Abstract: A detection and location system, e.g. liquid leaks, comprising a trunk line sensor cable and at least one branch line cable; each of the cables comprise two insulated conductors and two non-insulated conductors which are not connected to each other in the absence of a leak but which become connected upon occurrence of a leak. In the trunk line cable, the insulated conductors form part of a circuit which enables the location of a leak to be detected. In the branch line, one of the insulated conductors and one of the non-insulated conductors are connected so as to form a loop connecting the ends of the non-insulated conductors of the branch cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Heinrich Koppitsch, Francis C. Sparling
  • Electrical heaters
    Patent number: 4822983
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically disconnecting a conductive polymer heater if an arcing fault occurs. A sensor conductor is incorporated into the heater, so that if an arcing fault occurs, the current through the sensor conductor increases and triggers a safety circuit to disconnect the heater. The sensor conductor is preferably insulated by an organic polymer which pyrolyses if an arcing fault occurs and thus permits current to flow between the sensor conductor and an electrode of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bremner, Hugh Duffy, Burton E. Miller
  • Electrical devices
    Patent number: 4801785
    Abstract: Improvements to electrical devices comprising conductive polymer compositions are described. The device, preferably a heater, comprises two electrodes, preferably planar electrodes and a conductive polymer composition, which preferably exhibits PTC behavior, and which is preferably sandwiched between the electrodes. At least one of the electrodes comprises a metal with a thin layer of high resistivity material attached thereto, e.g. anodized aluminum, so that the layer separates the electrode and the conductive polymer composition. This raises the room temperature resistance of the device and thus reduces the in-rush current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chan, Pradeep Barma, David Chazan, David Liu
  • Connectors
    Patent number: 4801783
    Abstract: A connector for self-regulating heat tapes in which a resistive element is sandwiched between laminar electrodes. The connector includes a cavity into which the heating tape is placed and within which the electrodes are contacted by respective contact members whose other ends contact a power lead or the electrodes of a similar heating tape. Preferably the contact members are metal strips which are elastically deformed when the heating strip is pushed into the connector and which are staggered within the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Milroy
  • Electrical device comprising a PTC or NTC composition
    Patent number: 4801784
    Abstract: A self-regulating PTC heater in which the direction of flow of current is reversible in a region of the PTC material in response to a change in the resistivity of the material whereby current in-rush is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: N.V. Raychem S.A.
    Inventors: Michael L. Jensen, Jean-Marie E. Nolf, Jan Vansant
  • Electrical devices containing conductive polymers
    Patent number: 4800253
    Abstract: Electrical devices which comprise at least one metal electrode and a conductive polymer element in contact therewith, wherein the metal surface which contacts the conductive polymer has a roughened or otherwise treated surface to improve its adhesion to the conductive polymer. The metal electrode is preferably an electrodeposited foil. The conductive polymer preferably exhibits PTC behavior. The devices include heaters and circuit protection devices. The improved adhesion results in improved physical and electrical stability, and broadens the range of conductive polymer compositions which can be used in a number of important applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Lothar Kleiner, Martin Matthiesen
  • Elongate electrical assemblies
    Patent number: 4791276
    Abstract: Elongate electrical devices, comprising two conductors with electrical elements connected in parallel between them, have improved performance if the power supply is connected to one conductor at the near end and to the other conductor at the far end. Particularly useful devices are heaters, e.g. PTC conductive polymer heaters. The power supply is connected to the far end of the device through a connection means whose electrical properties can be correlated with those of the device in order to obtain a wide range of useful results. For example the connection means can have PTC, NTC or ZTC character and can be a simple conductor or another elongate device. The power supply can be DC or single-phase, two-phase or three-phase AC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Midgley, Richard H. Hulett
  • Method for monitoring a heater
    Patent number: 4785163
    Abstract: Method for monitoring the electrical integrity of a heater and a novel heater for use in such a method. The heater includes an elongate heating member; an insulating jacket which encloses the heating member; a first electrically conductive member which surrounds the insulating jacket; a separating and insulating member which surrounds the first conductive member; and a second electrically conductive member which surrounds the first conductive member and is separated and insulated therefrom by the separating member. The method includes the step of testing the electrical relationship between the first and second electrically conductive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Chester L. Sandberg
  • Apparatus for the collection and disposal of insects
    Patent number: 4780986
    Abstract: Apparatus, especially hand-held, battery-powered apparatus, for the collection and disposal of insects through an open end thereof. In one embodiment, which may be in the form of an attachment for a conventional battery-powered vacuum cleaner, the insect is retained on a screen mounted on a carriage which is movable between rear and front positions within a housing. The front position is close to the open end, and after collecting the insect with the carriage in the rear position, the carriage is moved to the front position, where it is brought to an abrupt stop so that the insect is ejected from the apparatus. The ejection of the insect can alternatively or additionally be assisted by reversing the direction of the air flow through the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventors: Jack M. Broomfield, Douglas W. Broomfield