Electric resistor designed for use as an electric conducting element in an electric circuit, and relative manufacturing process

• US 4,837,548 A
• Filed: 01/19/1988
• Issued: 06/06/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LEDA Logarithmic Electrical Devices For Automation SRL
• Original Assignee: LEDA Logarithmic Electrical Devices For Automation SRL
• Inventors: Lodini, Paolo
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldberg, E. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Application Number:
  US07/145,611
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 338/47, 338/99, 338/112, 338/114, 338/48, 29/610.1
• US Class Current: 338/47
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/106 on resistive material dispersed in an elastic material H01C10/103 and H01C10/12 take precedence; for electric switches H01H1/029
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/12 by changing surface pressure between resistive masses or resistive and conductive masses, e.g. pile type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49082 Resistor making

Abstract

A resistor is formed from a structure including at least one network of electrically conductive wires, and a matrix for supporting the aforementioned structure, the matrix formed from a flexible, electrically insulating material inside which the aforementioned structure is sunk, with a number of surface portions of the wires in the aforementioned networks being separated by small gaps, the resistor being formed by a manufacturing process substantially including the steps of forming a system including a structure having at least one network of electrically conductive wires, and arranging a liquid material between the wires of the aforementioned networks in the aforementioned structure, the aforementioned liquid material being designed to assume a state in which it is both solid and flexible; and in subsequently solidifying the aforementioned material in such a manner as to form a solid, flexible matrix for supporting the aforementioned structure.

Claims

1. An electric resistor designed for use as an electric conducting element in an electric circuit, comprising a structure of:

a plurality of networks of electrical conductive wires each of which comprises weft wires separated from each other by warp wires,

a matirx formed by a flexible, electrically insulating material in which said weft and warp wires are sunk;

said networks being superimposed in the material of said matrix in such a way to obtain a regular configuration in which first sets of weft and warp wires are in contact with each other and second sets of weft and warp wires are separated from each other;

said matrix formed by said flexible insulating material defining small gaps each of which is positioned between a warp and a weft wire of one said second set.

2. An electric resistor according to claim 1;

wherein said plurality of networks are arranged one on top of each other.

3. An electric resistor according to claim 1;

wherein said wires in said networks are formed from electrically conductive material.

4. An electric resistor according to claim 1;

wherein said wires in said networks have a coating of electrically conductive material.

5. An electric resistor according to claim 1;

where said electrically insulating material of said matrix is designed to assume a first liquid state in which it is sufficiently fluid to be injected into a structure comprising a number of overlayed wire networks so as to produce a supporting matrix into which said networks are sunk, and a second state in which it is both solid and flexible.

6. An electric resistor according to claim 5;

wherein said insulating material of said matrix in the liquid state has a viscosity ranging from 500 to 10,000 centipoise.

7. An electric resistor according to claim 1;

wherein said flexible, electrically insulating material used for said matrix is a synthetic resin.

8. An electric resistor according to claim 7;

wherein said flexible, electrically insulating material used for said matrix is a thermoplastic resin.

9. A method for producing an electric resistor for use as an electric conducting element in an electric circuit, said method comprising the steps of:

forming a structure including at least one network of electrically conductive wires;

arranging a liquid material between the wires of each said network in said structure, said liquid material being capable of assuming a state in which it is both solid and flexible; and

subsequently solidifying said liquid material so as to form a solid, flexible matrix for supporting said structure.

10. A method according to claim 9;

further including the step of subjecting said structure to a given pressure perpendicular to a plane in which said at least one network lies, during solidification of said liquid material.

11. A method according to claim 9;

further including the step of solidifying said liquid material by means of cooling.

12. A method according to claim 9;

further including the step of solidifying said liquid material by means of curing.

13. A method according to claim 9;

further including the steps of subjecting said formed structure of at least one network to a given pressure;

injecting said liquid material into said structure so that the liquid material penetrates between wires of said at least one network; and

solidifying said liquid material so as to produce a supporting matrix for said structure and in which said given pressure is exerted on said structure.