Carbon nanotube yarn, method and apparatus for making the same

• US 8,602,765 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2009
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University
• Inventors: Jiang, Kai-Li, Fan, Shou-Shan
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCRACKEN, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US12/592,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20100173037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 4234471-4473, 423/445.B, 977742-754, 977842-848, 425/223, 19/66.R
• US Class Current: 425/223
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 9/127 by thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon gases or vapours or other carbon-containing compounds in the form of gas or vapour, e.g. carbon monoxide, alcohols
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/16 Yarns or threads made from mineral substances
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/122 Nanocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2918 including free carbon or carbide or therewith [not as steel]

Abstract

An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube yarn includes a tube and a bobbin. The tube has an opening capable of introducing organic solvent into the tube. The tube further has an inlet and an outlet defined through lateral walls thereof. The inlet is capable of accepting one or more carbon nanotube yarn strings and the outlet is capable of accepting the carbon nanotube yarn. The bobbin is positioned around the tube for collecting the carbon nanotube yarn as it comes out of the outlet.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube yarn, the apparatus comprising:

a tube comprising of an opening capable of allowing organic solvent into the tube; and

an inlet and an outlet defined through lateral walls of the tube;

wherein, the inlet is capable of accepting one or more carbon nanotube yarn strings and the outlet is capable of accepting the carbon nanotube yarn; and

a bobbin capable of collecting the carbon nantotube yarn as it comes out of the outlet.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet and the outlet are located in opposite sides of the tube.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube further comprises a sealed end, the sealed end and the opening are located on opposite ends of the tube, and the tube is inclined relative to the bobbin.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a container for supplying organic solvent to the tube, the tube is in communication with the container through the opening.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the container is at an elevation above the inlet and outlet, and the opening of the tube is located at a junction between the tube and the container.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a vessel positioned at a lower elevation than the inlet and the outlet.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet is larger than the outlet.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a converging structure located on the tube, the converging structure having a converging passageway therethrough, and the converging passageway is in direct communication with the outlet.