1. An organic Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) composition comprising a mixture of:
A) a conjugated organic semiconductor polymer; and
B) a thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin.
2. The organic NTC composition according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin is no more than twice the amount of the conjugated organic semiconductor polymer.
3. The organic NTC composition according to claim 1, wherein the conjugated organic semiconductor polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyaniline, polythiophene, polypyrrole and their derivative polymers.
4. The organic NTC composition according to claim 3, wherein the conjugated organic semiconductor polymer is solvent-soluble.
5. An organic NTC device comprising:
A) a pair of electrodes, and
B) the organic NTC composition of claim 1 disposed therebetween.
6. The organic NTC device according to claim 5, wherein the electrodes are of metal foil and have roughened surfaces in contact with the organic NTC composition.
7. A method of producing the organic NTC device according to claim 5, comprising:
A) dissolving a conjugated organic semiconductor polymer with a thermoplastic resin or an uncured thermosetting resin in a solvent;
B) applying the resulting solution to the electrodes on a substrate surface; and
C) drying the solution on the substrate to remove the solvent and form an organic NTC composition layer on the electrodes.
8. A method of producing the organic NTC device according to claim 5, comprising:
A) dissolving a conjugated organic semiconductor polymer with a thermoplastic resin or the uncured thermosetting resin in a solvent to obtain an organic NTC composition solution;
B) applying the resulting solution to a first metal foil surface defining a first electrode;
C) drying the solution on the first metal foil surface to form an organic NTC composition layer on the first metal foil surface; and
D) applying a second metal foil defining a second electrode to the organic NTC composition layer.
9. A method of producing the organic NTC device of claim 5 comprising:
A) dissolving a conjugated organic semiconductor polymer with a thermoplastic resin or an uncured thermosetting resin in a solvent;
B) removing the solvent from the resulting solution while stirring;
C)plasticizing the resulting product into a mold of a predetermined shape; and
D) sandwiching the mold of the predetermined shape between the pair of electrodes.
10. The organic NTC composition according to claim 3, wherein the conjugated organic semiconductor polymer and the thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin are soluble in a common solvent.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. Apparatus for coating pipes comprising:
means for applying a sheet material to a pipe;
first means for pre-heating the sheet material prior to applying the sheet material to the pipe;
a canister housing a reel for supplying sheet material in the form of a tape which may be withdrawn from the canister, said canister being configured and arranged to releasably couple to said apparatus itself; and
second means for heating the pipe as the sheet material is being applied to the pipe.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means for heating is operative to heat the sheet material and pipe during application of the sheet material to the pipe.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means and the second means for heating includes means for directing hot air towards the pipe and sheet material.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister; and
means for urging the tape onto the pipe.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister,
means for urging the tape onto the pipe,
a stator for mounting on a pipe and
a rotor, rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around the periphery of the pipe.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister,
means for urging the tape onto the pipe,
a stator for mounting on a pipe,
a rotor rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around the periphery of the pipe, and drive means to move at least part of the rotor longitudinally along the pipe.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister,
means for urging the tape onto the pipe,
a stator for mounting on a pipe,
a rotor rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around the periphery of the pipe, and
drive means to move at least part of the rotor longitudinally along the pipe, wherein the drive means is driven by relative movement of the rotor and stator.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister,
means for urging the tape onto the pipe,
a stator for mounting on a pipe,
a rotor rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around the periphery of the pipe, and
drive means to move at least part of the rotor longitudinally along the pipe, wherein the drive means is driven by relative movement of the rotor and stator, and the drive means can be disengaged to allow movement of the at least part of the rotor longitudinally along the pipe independently of relative rotation of the stator and rotor.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister,
means for urging the tape onto the pipe,
a stator for mounting on a pipe and
a rotor, rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around the periphery of the pipe, wherein the means for heating is mounted on the rotor.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister,
means for urging the tape onto the pipe,
a stator for mounting on a pipe and
a rotor rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around the periphery of the pipe, wherein the rotor comprises means for releasably supporting a reel of tape.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for applying sheet material in the form of a tape to a pipe in a helical pattern further including
means for tensioning the tape as it is applied to the pipe, said means for tensioning the tape included in said canister,
means for urging the tape onto the pipe,
a stator for mounting on a pipe and
a rotor, rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around the periphery of the pipe, wherein the stator andor rotor comprise rings formed from two or more pivotally connected components.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canister includes the second means for heating and is operative to heat a reel of tape disposed therein.