Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. The device includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A support frame has a carriage and is configured for the propulsor to be coupled thereto, where the carriage is configured to slidably engage with the mounting bracket into a fixed position. A member is manually engageable to prevent the carriage from sliding out of the fixed position. The propulsor is coupled to the marine vessel by sliding the carriage into the fixed position and engaging the member, where the propulsor is operable to propel the marine vessel in water when the carriage is in the fixed position, and where the propulsor is configured for decoupling from the marine vessel by disengaging the member and sliding the carriage out of engagement with the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for heat treating a polymer PTC composition to increase the peak resistivity of the composition making it especially well suited for high voltage applications. A polymer PTC composition having a melting point temperature Tmp is provided. The temperature of the polymer PTC composition is increased at a rate, r1, to a temperature greater than Tmp. The temperature of polymer PTC composition is held at the temperature greater than Tmp for a predetermined period of time. Then the temperature of the polymer PTC composition is decreased to a temperature less than Tmp at a rate, r2, wherein r2 is greater than r1.

Abstract: Positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) materials for use in electronic components for the protection of electrical circuits. Through the use of an organo-metallic coupling agent, the room temperature resistivity of polymeric PTC materials may be reduced. The PTC materials of the present invention include a polyolefin, a conductive filler and an organo-metallic coupling agent, and have an electrical resistivity at 25° C. of less than 1 ohm cm.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprising PTC elements and circuits containing such devices. The PTC element includes a crystalline conductive polymer composition comprising a conductive particulate filler grafted to a modified polyolefin. The modified polyolefin comprises a polyolefin having a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid derivative grafted thereto. The conductive particulate filler is grafted via an esterification reaction to the modified polyolefin.

Abstract: Electrical devices having a PTC element of a polymer having conductive particles dispersed therein. The PTC element is coated with a conductive layer and has electrodes with a plurality of voids affixed to opposing surfaces. The devices are made by dispersing conductive particles into a polymer to form a polymer PTC composition. The polymer PTC composition is melt-shaped to form a laminar shaped PTC element. First and second opposing surfaces of the PTC element are coated with a conductive layer. The electrodes, characterized by a plurality of voids and made of foam, are brought into contact with the coated surfaces of the PTC element, and heated while applying pressure to form a laminate. The laminate is then further shaped into a plurality of PTC electrical circuit protection devices.

Abstract: Electrical devices comprising a PTC element comprised of a polymer having conductive particles dispersed therein. The PTC element is coated with a conductive layer and has electrodes with a plurality of voids affixed to opposing surfaces. The devices are made by dispersing conductive particles into a polymer to form a polymer PTC composition. The polymer PTC composition is melt-shaped to form a laminar shaped PTC element. First and second opposing surfaces of the PTC element are coated with a conductive layer. The electrodes, characterized by a plurality of voids, are brought into contact with the coated surfaces of the PTC element, and heated while applying pressure to form a laminate. The laminate is then further shaped into a plurality of PTC electrical circuit protection devices.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprising PTC elements and circuits containing such devices. The PTC element includes a crystalline conductive polymer composition comprising a conductive particulate filler grafted to a modified polyolefin. The modified polyolefin comprises a polyolefin having a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid derivative grafted thereto. The conductive particulate filler is grafted via an esterification reaction to the modified polyolefin.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprising PTC elements and circuits containing such devices. The PTC element includes a crystalline conductive polymer composition comprising a conductive particulate filler grafted to a modified polyolefin. The modified polyolefin comprises a polyolefin having a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid derivative grafted thereto. The conductive particulate filler is grafted via an esterification reaction to the modified polyolefin.

Abstract: A method for producing a conductive polymeric composition exhibiting PTC behavior. The method includes the steps of: providing a quantity of polymer component having a melting point temperature T.sub.mp, and a quantity of conductive filler component; mixing the quantity of polymer component and the quantity of conductive filler component in a receiving unit at a temperature greater than T.sub.