Methods and systems for selectively connecting and disconnecting conductors in a fabric

• US 6,852,395 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: North Carolina State University (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: North Carolina State University (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Dhawan, Anuj, Ghosh, Tushar Kanti, Muth, John, Seyam, Abdelfattah
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Elizabeth M.
• Application Number:
  US10/041,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20030129905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 442/229, 442/301, 442/414, 442/377, 428/198, 428/196
• US Class Current: 428/196
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/0208 Single-component fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/0216 Bicomponent or multicomponent fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/0241 comprising electrically conductive fibres or particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/0636 Two or more types of fibres present in the filter material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/069 Special geometry of layers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/086 Binders between particles or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 39/083 of organic material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 39/086 of inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0289 having a matrix lay-out, i.e. having selectively interconnectable sets of X-conductors and Y-conductors in different planes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/038 Textiles used as reinforcing materials for organic insulating substrates H05K1/0366
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/06 on insulating boards , e.g. wiring harnesses for printed circuits H05K1/18, H05K3/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2481 including layer of mechanically interengaged strands, strand-portions or strand-like strips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24826 Spot bonds connect components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/339 Metal or metal-coated strand
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3976 Including strand which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous composition, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/475 Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/655 Metal or metal-coated strand or fiber material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/696 Including strand or fiber material which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous compositions, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]

Abstract

Methods and systems for selectively connecting and disconnecting conductors in a fabric are disclosed. First and second conductors are integrated into a fabric such that the conductors intersect at a crossover point. The conductors are bonded to each other at the crossover point to improve AC and DC characteristics. Disconnect areas may be provided near the crossover point to allow selective disconnection of the conductors from the crossover point.

Claims

1. A fabric including elongated conductors for forming electric circuits, the fabric comprising:

(a) a plurality of non-conductive fibers;

(b) a first elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric; and

(c) a second elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric in a direction that intersects the first conductor, the second conductor intersecting and being bonded to the first conductor through application of at least one of heat and electrical energy to at least one of the first and second conductors at a cross-over point.

2. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors comprise metallic conductors.

3. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors comprise a twisted pair conductors.

4. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors comprise coaxial conductors.

5. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first arid second conductors comprise conductive polymers.

6. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors are resistance welded to each other.

7. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors are ultrasonically welded to each other.

8. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors are laser welded to each other.

9. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors are chemically bonded to each other.

14. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the fabric is selected from the group consisting of woven, knit and non-woven fabrics.

15. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the first conductor includes a break proximal to the cross-over point, the break being formed through application of at least one of heat and electrical energy to the first conductor.

16. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the application of at least one of heat and electrical energy to at least one of the first and second conductors melts the first and second conductors at the cross-over point to form a bond at the cross-over point.

10. A fabric including elongated conductors for forming electric circuits, the fabric comprising:

(a) a plurality of non-conductive fibers;

(b) a first elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric; and

(c) a second elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric in a direction that intersects the first conductor, the second conductor intersecting and being bonded through application of at least one of heat and electrical energy to the first conductor at a cross-over point, wherein the first conductor comprises a weft yam and the second conductor comprises a warp yarn.

11. A fabric including elongated conductors for forming electric circuits, the fabric comprising:

(a) a plurality of non-conductive fibers;

(b) a first elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric; and

(c) a second elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric in a direction that intersects the first conductor, the second conductor intersecting and being bonded through application of at least one of heat and electrical energy to the first conductor at a cross-over point, wherein at least one of the first and second conductors includes a disconnect area for selectively electrically disconnecting the first and second conductors.

12. The fabric of claim 11 wherein the disconnect area comprises a float formed by at least one of the first and second conductors.

13. The fabric of claim 11 wherein the disconnect area comprises a switch coupled in series with at least one of the first and second conductors.

17. A fabric including elongated conductors for forming electric circuits, the fabric comprising:

(a) a plurality of non-conductive fibers;

(b) a first elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric; and

(c) second elongated conductor being integrated in the fabric in a direction that intersects the first conductor, the second conductor intersecting and being welded to the first conductor at a cross-over point.

18. The fabric of claim 17 wherein the second conductor includes a break proximal to the cross-over point to form a disconnection.

19. The fabric of claim 18 wherein the break is formed using welding.

20. The fabric of claim 19 wherein the welding used to form the break is the same welding used to weld the second conductor to the first conductor at the cross-over point.