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Elongate sensors comprising conductive polymers, and methods and apparatus using such sensors

  • US 5,015,958 A
  • Filed: 06/27/1989
  • Issued: 05/14/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An elongate sensor for use in a method for detecting and locating the presence of an electrolyte, the sensor comprising(1) a first elongate electrical connection means which has a near end and a far end;

  • (2) a second elongate electrical connection means(i) which has a near end adjacent the near end of the first connection means and a far end adjacent the far end of the first connection means,(ii) whose impedance, from the near end to each point thereon, is characteristic of its length from the near end to that point, and(iii) which is electrically insulated from the first connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the electrolyte and which, in the presence of the electrolyte, becomes electrically connected to the first connection means, the connection being effective at a first point whose location is defined by the location of the point or points at which the electrolyte is present; and

    (3) a third elongate electrical connection means which has a near end adjacent the near ends of the first and second connection means and a far end adjacent the far ends of the first and second connection means and which is electrically insulated from said first and second electrical connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the electrolyte and in the presence of the electrolyte;

    the first, second and third connection means being physically secured together;

    at least one of the first and second connection means comprising an elongate metal core which is electrically surrounded by a jacket of a composition which comprises a polymeric component and, dispersed in the polymeric component, a sufficient amount of a particulate conductive filler to render the composition conductive at ambient temperature; and

    at least one of said first, second and third connection means having a wrapped configuration.

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