Heating tape and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10834786-B2
Application number	US-201716069406-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 11, 2017
Priority date	Jan 12, 2016
Publication date	Nov 10, 2020
Grant date	Nov 10, 2020

Abstract

A heating tape comprises an insulated heating element that includes a heating element layer comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of conductive electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape. A heating tape system for a pipe or other surface, further includes a power ramp controller having a solid state relay component to regulate an in-rush of current to the heating element. The heating tape system also includes a connector having multiple contact points.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A heating tape, comprising:
an insulated heating element including a heating element layer comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of conductive electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape, wherein the at least one set of electrodes comprise a graphene-like coating on at least one major surface that interfaces with the heating element layer.

2. The heating tape of claim 1 further comprising:
first and second grounding sheaths, wherein the insulated heating element is disposed between the first and second grounding sheaths.

3. The heating tape of claim 2 further comprising:
first and second barrier layers to protect the heating tape from moisture ingress.

4. The heating tape of claim 1 , wherein the insulated heating element comprises first and second insulating layers disposed on either side of the heating element layer.

5. The heating tape of claim 1 , wherein the insulated heating element comprises cured liquid resin covering the sides of the heating element layer.

6. The heating tape of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed on an outer layer of the heating tape.

7. The heating tape of claim 6 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

8. The heating tape of claim 1 , wherein the polymer composite having conductive particles comprises a carbon black polymer composite.

9. The heating tape of claim 8 , wherein the carbon black polymer composite comprises a polyolefin blended with carbon black.

10. The heating tape of claim 1 , wherein the polymer composite comprises an amorphous polymer.

11. A heating tape, comprising:
a first barrier film;
a first grounding sheath;
a first insulating film;
a heating element layer;
a second insulating film;
a second grounding sheath;
and a second barrier film,
wherein the heating element layer is disposed between the first and second insulating films and includes a heating element film comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape, wherein the at least one set of electrodes comprise a graphene-like coating on at least one major surface that interfaces with the heating element layer.

12. The heating tape of claim 11 , further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on one of the first and second barrier films.

13. The heating tape of claim 11 , wherein the polymer composite having conductive particles comprises a carbon black polymer composite.

14. The heating tape of claim 11 , wherein the heating film comprises an extruded material.

15. The heating tape of claim 11 , wherein the first and second grounding sheaths each comprise a flexible metal material.

16. The heating tape of claim 11 , wherein the first and second barrier films each comprise a moisture resistant, flame retardant material.

17. The heating tape of claim 12 , wherein the tape extends along a length of and is adhered around a substantial portion of the circumference of a pipe.

18. A self regulating heating tape system for a pipe or other surface, comprising:
the heating tape of claim 1 : and
a power ramp controller having a component to regulate an in-rush of current to the heating element and monitor current flowing through the heating tape and adjust current applied to the heating tape.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Li Jian
• Rocca Paolo
• Cliffen Jonathan M
• Divigalpitiya Ranjith
• Brandys Frank A
• Sanchez-Garcia Anibal S
• Hou Weixing
• Livingstone David E
• Moraes Raul P

Classifications

• B32B27/40

  comprising polyurethanes · CPC title

• H05B3/565 Primary

  flat cables · CPC title

• C09J2400/10

  Presence of inorganic materials · CPC title

• B32B2270/00

  Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers · CPC title

• B32B27/286

  comprising polysulphones; polysulfides · CPC title