Abstract: A conductive polymer PTC device includes upper, lower, and center electrodes, with a first PTC conductive polymer layer between the upper and center electrodes, and a second PTC conductive polymer layer between the center and lower electrodes. Each of the upper and lower electrodes is separated into an isolated portion and a main portion. The isolated portions of the upper and lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other and to the center electrode by an input terminal. Upper and lower output terminals are provided, respectively, on the main portions of the upper and lower electrodes and are electrically connected to each other. The resulting device is, effectively, two PTC devices connected in parallel, thereby providing an increased effective cross-sectional area for the current flow path, and thus a larger hold current, for a given footprint.

Abstract: A conductive polymer PTC device includes upper, lower, and center electrodes, with a first PTC conductive polymer layer between the upper and center electrodes, and a second PTC conductive polymer layer between the center and lower electrodes. Each of the upper and lower electrodes is separated into an isolated portion and a main portion. The isolated portions of the upper and lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other and to the center electrode by an input terminal. Upper and lower output terminals are provided, respectively, on the main portions of the upper and lower electrodes and are electrically connected to each other. The resulting device is, effectively, two PTC devices connected in parallel, thereby providing an increased effective cross-sectional area for the current flow path, and thus a larger hold current, for a given footprint.

Abstract: A direct extrusion process for manufacturing conductive polymer articles of manufacture employs a twin screw compounding extruder that compounds a polymeric mixture from materials received, in predetermined proportions, from gravimetric feeders, then extrudes a compounded conductive polymeric material in the melt phase. The extrudate is then fed into a gear pump that allows the extruder to discharge the compounded material, while it is still in the melt stage, at a relatively low pressure. The gear pump produces a substantially constant volumetric output of the compounded "melt phase" material at sufficiently high pressure for delivery into a sheet die. The sheet die forms the compounded material, while still in the melt phase, into a continuous web.

Abstract: A direct extrusion process for manufacturing conductive polymer articles of manufacture employs a twin screw compounding extruder that compounds a polymeric mixture from materials received, in predetermined proportions, from gravimetric feeders, then extrudes a compounded conductive polymeric material in the melt phase. The extrudate is then fed into a gear pump that allows the extruder to discharge the compounded material, while it is still in the melt stage, at a relatively low pressure. The gear pump produces a substantially constant volumetric output of the compounded "melt phase" material at sufficiently high pressure for delivery into a sheet die. The sheet die forms the compounded material, while still in the melt phase, into a continuous web.

Abstract: A conductive polymer device includes an active element comprising a conductive polymeric layer laminated between a pair of electrodes to which terminal leads are attached. The active element is enclosed in an insulative package. Each of the electrodes may be formed integrally with its associated terminal lead in a single lead frame, with a layer of conductive polymeric material laminated between two such lead frames. Alternatively, a conductive polymeric layer may be laminated between two electrodes, with a terminal lead then being soldered to each electrode. The insulative package for the active element may be either an over-molded housing encasing the active element, or a pre-molded housing having a cavity into which the active element is installed, and which is then hermetically sealed with a suitable sealant material.