Conductor polymer backfill composition and method of use as a reinforcement material for utility poles
AssigneeForward Ventures, LP
InventorsRichard C. Hannay, Norman Kirby, Richard A. Owen, Fu Tian
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Abstract
A conductive polymer backfill composition and method of use for setting or resetting structures such as utility poles is described. The backfill material is effective in simultaneously reinforcing and electrically grounding the utility pole.
Claims37
A method of setting or resetting a structure in earth with a polymer composition comprising:
- forming said polymer composition;
- dispersing a conductive material throughout the polymer composition;
- and
- applying said polymer composition to said structure;
- wherein the step of forming comprises forming a foamed polyurethane composition and said step of applying comprises applying said foamed polyurethane composition;
- wherein the step of forming the foamed polyurethane composition comprises combining polyisocyanate, an organic alcohol component, an asphaltic component, a liquid water-immiscible component in an amount effective to allow formation of a foam of sufficient strength for holding the pole, water, a catalyst, a non-ionic surfactant, a flame retardant, and a conductive material comprising a component selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, carbon nanotube composites, carbon black, carbon fibers, carbon particles, and any combination thereof.
The method of clam 4 wherein approximately 30% of the single wall nanotubes have diameters of approximately 0.7 to 1.2 nanometers and lengths of approximately 2 to 20 microns.
The method of clam 6 wherein approximately 80% of the multiwall nanotubes have diameters of approximately 10 to 30 nanometers and lengths of approximately 1 to 10 microns.
A foamed polyurethane composition produced by the process comprising:
- combining polyisocyanate;
- an organic alcohol component;
- an asphaltic component;
- a liquid water-immiscible component in an amount effective to allow formation of a foam of sufficient strength for holding the pole in the presence of water;
- a catalyst;
- a non-ionic surfactant;
- and a flame retardant;
- and
- dispersing a conductive material comprising a component selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, carbon nanotube composites, carbon black, carbon fibers, carbon particles, and any combination thereof, throughout one or more of the components selected from the group consisting of the polyisocyanate, the organic alcohol component, the asphaltic component, the liquid water-immiscible component, the catalyst, the flame retardant, and the non-ionic surfactant.
The method of clam 31 wherein approximately 30% of the single wall nanotubes have diameters of approximately 0.7 to 1.2 nanometers and lengths of approximately 2 to 20 microns.
The method of clam 33 wherein approximately 80% of the multiwall nanotubes have diameters of approximately 10 to 30 nanometers and lengths of approximately 1 to 10 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.