Weak-link Capacitor Using Precursor Polymers for Thermal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capacitors lack a safety mechanism to prevent uncontrolled electricity buildup and discharge in high-voltage devices, particularly in situations involving overheating or fire, as they do not inherently convert to a conductive state to mitigate such risks.
Innovation Solution
Development of thin-film stacked capacitors using precursor polymers like poly(phenylene vinylene) that convert to conducting polymers under UV irradiation or elevated temperatures, employing halogen leaving groups which eliminate at specific temperatures, transforming the polymer from a dielectric to a conductive state, thereby acting as a thermal weak link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dielectric materials are used in capacitors, then the capacitor maintains stable insulating properties, but the capacitor lacks safety mechanism to prevent uncontrolled electricity buildup and discharge in high-voltage devices during overheating or fire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the temperature-dependent electrical properties of semiconducting polymers. The polymer's conductivity changes dramatically with temperature, transitioning from insulating at low temperatures to conductive at elevated temperatures. This inherent parameter change provides the safety mechanism without requiring additional components or complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of overheating into a beneficial safety mechanism. When the capacitor experiences overheating or fire conditions, the elevated temperature triggers the polymer to transition from insulating to conductive state, creating a short circuit that prevents uncontrolled electricity buildup and discharge. The harmful thermal condition becomes the activation signal for the safety feature.
2Reliability
If a dielectric material converts to conductive state at elevated temperature, then safety mechanism is provided, but the capacitor fails as a short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing the capacitor to fail in a controlled manner before catastrophic damage can occur. The semiconducting polymer is selected and engineered to transition to a conductive state at a specific temperature threshold, creating a predetermined failure mode that protects the overall electrical system from more severe damage during overheating or fire events.
3Adaptability or versatility
If semiconducting polymer is used as dielectric, then temperature-dependent conductivity change is achieved, but the polymer must be precisely tuned to transform at desired temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the polymer's chemical structure to control the transformation temperature. By selecting different semiconducting polymers with distinct thermal characteristics, the capacitor can be designed to activate at specific temperature ranges. This allows precise tuning of the safety mechanism's activation point to match the operational requirements of different high-voltage devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The capacitors effectively prevent electricity buildup and discharge by converting to a conductive state at predetermined temperatures, providing a safety mechanism for high-voltage devices by ensuring capacitor failure as a short, thus preventing electrical hazards.
Implementation Method 1
precursor polymers containing leaving groups that can be converted to conducting polymers under UV irradiation or elevated temperature
Implementation Method 2
halogen leaving groups which eliminate at specific temperatures, transforming the polymer from a dielectric to a conductive state
Implementation Method 3
the polymer is energized to a state that the leaving groups are eliminated from the polymer... convert the polymer into a conjugated state
Data Source
AI summary
A process for making a dielectric material where a precursor polymer selected from poly(phenylene vinylene)polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), poly(thienylene vinylene), poly(1,4-naphthylene vinylene), and poly(p-pyridine vinylene) is energized said by exposure by radiation or increase in temperature to a level sufficient to eliminate said leaving groups contained within the precursor polymer, thereby transforming the dielectric material into a conductive polymer. The leaving group in the precursor polymer can be a chloride, a bromide, an iodide, a fluoride, an ester, an xanthate, a nitrile, an amine, a nitro group, a carbonate, a dithiocarbamate, a sulfonium group, an oxonium group, an iodonium group, a pyridinium group, an ammonium group, a borate group, a borane group, a sulphinyl group, or a sulfonyl group.