Composite Material for Temperature Measurement, Temperature Sensor Comprising the Composite Material, and Method for Producing the Composite Material and the Temperature Sensor

• US 20110051778A1
• Filed: 02/09/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TDK Electronics AG (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Epcos AG (TDK Corporation)
• Inventors: Strallhofer, Heinz, Kloiber, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 9,341,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/185
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/223 characterised by the shape of the resistive element
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 7/02 having positive temperature coefficient ceramics C04B
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 7/04 having negative temperature coefficient thermometers using resistive elements G01K7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 7/045 Perovskites, e.g. titanates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

A composite material 1 for temperature measurement is specified, as is a temperature sensor 10 formed from the composite material 1. Additionally specified are processes for producing the composite material 1 and for producing the temperature sensor 10.

Claims

1. A composite material for temperature measurement, comprising:

a ceramic filler; and

a formable matrix which embeds the filler, wherein the ceramic filler has a positive or negative temperature coefficient of electrical resistance, and the composite material has a resistance-temperature characteristic determined by the ceramic filler.

2. The composite material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a material selected from a group comprising glass-like materials, thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers or mixtures thereof.

3. The composite material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filler is present as a multitude of particles in the matrix.

4. The composite material as claimed in claim 3, wherein the particles have a filling level in the matrix of 50% to 95%.

5. The composite material as claimed in claim 3, wherein the particles form continuous current paths in the matrix.

6. The composite material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filler comprises a material selected from a group comprising an electrically conductive spinel of the formula A^IIB^III₂O₄ and a perovskite of the formula ABO₃ where A and B are each metals, and PTC materials.

7. A process for producing a composite material as claimed in claim 1, comprising the process steps of:

A) producing the ceramic filler;

B) providing the matrix; and

C) mixing the filler and the matrix.

8. A temperature sensor formed from a composite material as claimed in claim 1 and having contacts.

9. The temperature sensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the contacts are applied on the surface of the temperature sensor and/or integrated into the temperature sensor.

10. The temperature sensor as claimed in claim 8, which has a three-dimensional geometric form.

11. The temperature sensor as claimed in claim 10, which is in the form of a film.

12. The temperature sensor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the film is flexible.

13. The temperature sensor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the geometric form is cuboidal.

14. The temperature sensor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the geometric form has rounded corners.

16. A process for producing a temperature sensor formed from the composite material claimed in claim 1 and having contacts, comprising the steps of:

A. producing the composite material by a process comprising the steps of;

i. producing the ceramic filler,

ii. providing the matrix, and

iii. mixing the filler and the matrix;

B. forming the composite material; and

C. applying the contacts.

15. (canceled)