# US 10,373,745 B2 · Electrically conductive PTC ink with double switching temperatures and applications thereof in flexible double-switching heaters > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,373,745 B2 - Document ID: US10373745B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/441,396 - Filed: 2017-02-24 - Published: 2017-06-08 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-12 - Assignees: LMS Consulting Group, LLC - Applicants: LMS Consulting Group, LLC - Inventors: Shuyong Xiao; Lee M. Sisler; Richard C. Abbott - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373745B2 ## CPC - H01C 7/02: having positive temperature coefficient - A41D 13/0051: {Heated garments (heated divers' suits B63C11/28)} - C09D 11/037: characterised by the pigment - C09D 11/10: based on artificial resins - C09D 11/104: Polyesters - C09D 11/106: containing macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds - C09D 11/107: from unsaturated acids or derivatives thereof - C09D 11/108: Hydrocarbon resins - C09D 11/52: Electrically conductive inks - E04C 2/525: {for heating or cooling (solar heat collectors F24S10/00; heat storage F28D20/00)} - F25C 1/22: Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds - H01C 7/028: {consisting of organic substances} - H01C 7/04: having negative temperature coefficient - H05B 3/12: characterised by the composition or nature of the conductive material - H10D 1/47: Resistors having no potential barriers - F25C 5/08: by heating bodies in contact with the ice - H05B 2203/017: Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters - H05B 2203/019: Heaters using heating elements having a negative temperature coefficient - H05B 2203/02: Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient - H05B 2203/026: Heaters specially adapted for floor heating - H01C: RESISTORS - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - H10D: INORGANIC ELECTRIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES ## Abstract A double-switching heater includes a double-switching PTC ink deposited on a substrate to form one or more resistors. The double-switching PTC ink has a first resin that provides a first PTC effect at a first temperature range and a second resin that provides a second PTC effect at a second temperature range, where the second temperature range is higher than the first temperature range. The substrate may be a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate, and may bedeformable to generate a three-dimensional structure. The substrate may be: polyester, polyimide, polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, fiberglass, cement board, carbon composite materials, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, aluminum, steel, glass composite, molded plastic, high-density polyethylene or styrene ethylene butylene styrene. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A double-switching heater comprising a double-switching PTC ink deposited on a substrate to form one or more resistors, the double-switching PTC ink comprising a first resin and a second resin, wherein: the first resin provides a first PTC effect within a first temperature range (T1, T2); the second resin provides a second PTC effect within a second temperature range (T3, T4), where T3≥T2; the first resin has an NTC effect above the first temperature range; and the second PTC effect is greater than the first PTC effect; and the second PTC effect overlaps with, and is greater than, the NTC effect of the first resin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a flexible substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a rigid substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the substrate is deformable to generate a three-dimensional structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of: polyester, polyimide, polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, fiberglass, cement board, carbon composite materials, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, aluminum, steel, glass composite, molded plastic, high-density polyethylene and styrene ethylene butylene styrene. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the first resin is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol and polycaprolactone and the first temperature range is from 20° C. to 35° C. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the first resin is selected from the group consisting of: polycaprolactone diol and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and the first temperature range is from 36° C. to 50° C. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the first resin is selected from the group consisting of: low-density polyethylene and maleic acid grafted polyvinyl chloride and the first temperature range is from 51° C. to 70° C. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the second resin is selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylidene fluoride, poly vinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene, and polyacrylate compounds and the second temperature range is from 70° C. to 160° C. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein the heater is encapsulated by an encapsulation material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The heater of claim 10, wherein the encapsulation material is selected from the group consisting of: polyester, polyimide, polypropylene, rubber, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane, laminates, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) adhesive film, acrylate adhesive film and silicon adhesive film, fabric, silicone, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein a temperature of the heater fluctuates plus or minus 5 degrees about an operating temperature of 48° C. of the heater. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein above an operating temperature of 48° C. of the heater, a temperature of the heater fluctuates plus or minus 2 degrees about the operating temperature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein a relative resistance of the heater is reduced by approximately 1% over multiple operating cycles, wherein the relative resistance is defined as a resistance obtained at each operating cycle divided by an initial measured resistance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of resistors in parallel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, further comprising electrical interconnects comprising one or more of: metal paste, metal foils, alloys, aluminum, copper, nickel and high-conductivity electronic polymers. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, further comprising a sensor positioned proximal to the heater and a feedback loop to regulate operating temperature. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein: the first resin is crystalline or semi-crystalline; and the second resin is non-crystalline. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The heater of claim 1, wherein a resistance magnification at a switching temperature of the heater is between 15 and 250. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The heater of claim 19, wherein the switching temperature of the heater is between 30° C. and 160° C.