EP3443810B1 - Éléments de chauffage, échangeurs de chaleur et ensembles d'éléments de chauffage - Google Patents

Éléments de chauffage, échangeurs de chaleur et ensembles d'éléments de chauffage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3443810B1
EP3443810B1 EP17718603.8A EP17718603A EP3443810B1 EP 3443810 B1 EP3443810 B1 EP 3443810B1 EP 17718603 A EP17718603 A EP 17718603A EP 3443810 B1 EP3443810 B1 EP 3443810B1
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Prior art keywords
carbon nanomaterial
layer
heater element
substrate
carbon
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3443810A1 (fr
Inventor
Lukasz KURZEPA
Catharina PAUKNER
Krzysztof Kazimierz Koziol
Nicola MAZZUCATO
Michael John SCHMID
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Levidian Nanosystems Ltd
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Levidian Nanosystems Ltd
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/10—Heater elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor
    • H05B3/12—Heater elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor characterised by the composition or nature of the conductive material
    • H05B3/14—Heater elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor characterised by the composition or nature of the conductive material the material being non-metallic
    • H05B3/145—Carbon only, e.g. carbon black, graphite
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H3/00—Air heaters
    • F24H3/02—Air heaters with forced circulation
    • F24H3/06—Air heaters with forced circulation the air being kept separate from the heating medium, e.g. using forced circulation of air over radiators
    • F24H3/10—Air heaters with forced circulation the air being kept separate from the heating medium, e.g. using forced circulation of air over radiators by plates
    • F24H3/102—Air heaters with forced circulation the air being kept separate from the heating medium, e.g. using forced circulation of air over radiators by plates using electric energy supply
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/20—Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater
    • H05B3/34—Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2214/00—Aspects relating to resistive heating, induction heating and heating using microwaves, covered by groups H05B3/00, H05B6/00
    • H05B2214/04—Heating means manufactured by using nanotechnology

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrically-powered heater elements and arrays thereof, and also to heat exchangers.
  • Joule heating also known as ohmic heating or resistive heating
  • heat exchangers which transfer heat from a heater element or other heat source to a fluid (e.g. a gas such as air), are not well suited for use on (or in) flexible substrates, or in applications in which rapid heating and cooling rates are required.
  • a fluid e.g. a gas such as air
  • a heater element as defined in Claim 1 of the appended claims.
  • a heater element comprising: a substrate; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the substrate; and a carbon nanomaterial-containing layer disposed on the substrate, the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer being disposed between and electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.
  • the substrate may be flexible, and consequently the resulting heater element may also be flexible. Additionally, the heater element is able to achieve rapid heating and cooling rates.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer may for example comprise graphene, or carbon nanotubes, or a mixture of graphene and carbon nanotubes.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer may include a first sub-layer comprising a first carbon nanomaterial and a second sub-layer comprising a second carbon nanomaterial.
  • the first sub-layer may comprise graphene and the second sub-layer may comprise carbon nanotubes.
  • the substrate may comprise a flexible polymer film.
  • the substrate may comprise a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM).
  • the substrate may comprise a breathable fabric through which air can flow. More particularly, the substrate may comprise a woven fabric (e.g. a woven glass fibre fabric) or a non-woven fabric (e.g. a felt).
  • a woven fabric e.g. a woven glass fibre fabric
  • a non-woven fabric e.g. a felt
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer at least partly overlaps each of the first and second electrodes, thereby ensuring good electrical conduction between the electrodes and the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer.
  • a cover layer is disposed over the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer.
  • the cover layer may comprise a polymer film.
  • the cover layer may comprise a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM).
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer incorporates one or more holes to enable the cover layer to be bonded to the substrate at one or more points across the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer, thereby enhancing the structural integrity of the heater element.
  • the heater element may have a thickness of the order of 0.1 mm, thereby rendering it flexible.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer may be formed so as to have one or more regions that are devoid of carbon nanomaterials, in order to cause localised concentration of the current flowing between the first and second electrodes in use, and thereby enable a variation in the heat distribution across the heater element to be achieved.
  • the cover layer comprises an electrically-insulating breathable fabric through which air can flow. Accordingly, this enables air to flow through both the substrate and the cover layer.
  • the heater element may further comprise a layer of electrically-insulating breathable fabric on the opposite side of the substrate from the cover layer.
  • a stack of heater elements may be formed in which each heater element is constructed using breathable fabric.
  • the stack may be arranged such that air can flow through the entire thickness of the stack. With such a stack, greater overall heating ability of the airflow may be achieved.
  • the present disclosure also provides a device not forming part of the invention comprising a heater element or stack of heater elements in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, coupled to a heat exchanger. This enhances the transfer of heat from the heater element to a fluid (e.g. a gas such air) passing through the heat exchanger.
  • a fluid e.g. a gas such air
  • the heat exchanger may comprise first and second interlayers and a sealing layer, wherein: the sealing layer is attached to the first interlayer; the first interlayer is attached to the second interlayer; the heater element is coupled to the second interlayer; the first and/or second interlayer is provided with an air inlet; the first and/or second interlayer is provided with an air outlet; and the first interlayer incorporates a first arrangement of apertures and the second interlayer incorporates a second arrangement of apertures, the first and second arrangements of apertures being configured such as to form a network of channels within the first and second interlayers, extending across the heat exchanger from the air inlet to the air outlet.
  • the first and second directions may be at substantially 90° to one another.
  • the first arrangement of apertures may comprise an alternating arrangement of relatively long slots and relatively short slots, wherein, between successive parallel relatively long slots, a plurality of relatively short slots are collinear with one another.
  • the second arrangement of apertures may comprise a staggered arrangement of relatively short parallel slots.
  • One or both of the interlayers may incorporate a first channel into which the air inlet feeds.
  • one or both of the interlayers may incorporate a second channel which feeds to the air outlet.
  • the first and/or second channels may be oriented in the first direction.
  • the sealing layer may comprise a polymer film.
  • the sealing layer may comprise a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM).
  • first and second interlayers may comprise a polymer film.
  • the first and second interlayers may comprise a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM).
  • RTM Kapton
  • each of the first and second interlayers may have a thickness of the order of 0.5 mm.
  • the heat exchanger may comprise one or more layers of a mesh material, such as a fibreglass mesh, to provide flexibility and resilience.
  • a mesh material such as a fibreglass mesh
  • the heat exchanger may comprise a first layer of the mesh material and a second layer of the mesh material, the second layer being oriented at an angle (e.g. 45°) relative to the first layer.
  • a plurality of said first and second layers of the mesh material may be provided, in an alternating manner.
  • the heat exchanger may be contained within a bag or sleeve arrangement.
  • an article comprising a heater element or a stack of heater elements in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the heater element(s) being connected to a power supply.
  • the present disclosure also provides an assembly comprising a plurality of heater elements, or stacks of heater elements, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the heater elements are connected in parallel to a power supply.
  • the present disclosure also provides an assembly not forming part of the present invention comprising a plurality of heater elements, or stacks of heater elements, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the heater elements are connected in series to a power supply.
  • the present disclosure also provides an assembly not forming part of the present invention comprising a plurality of heater elements, or stacks of heater elements, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the heater elements are connected to a power control unit, the power control unit being configured to supply power to selected individual heater elements or selected subsets of the heater elements.
  • two or more neighbouring heater elements may share a common electrode.
  • the power control unit may be configured to vary over time which of the heater elements is/are activated.
  • the power control unit may be configured to cause the activated heater element(s) to change over time in such a manner that the heated region of the assembly moves across the assembly in a cyclic wave-like manner.
  • This has beneficial therapeutic applications, e.g. to provide a person with a heat massage in which waves of heat traverse their body. Many other applications are also possible, in no way limited to therapeutic purposes.
  • the present disclosure also provides an article nor forming part of the present invention comprising an aforementioned assembly, selected from a group comprising: a massage mat or pad; a vehicle seat; an interior panel of a vehicle; a spacecraft such as a satellite; a cooking hob; an item of clothing or other wearables; fabrics, blinds and shutters.
  • a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a heater element as defined in Claim 12 of the appended claims, the method comprising: arranging a first electrode and a second electrode on a substrate; and depositing a carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion on the substrate so as to form a carbon nanomaterial-containing layer between and electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.
  • the sequence of these operations may be reversed (i.e. the carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion may be deposited on the substrate first, and then the electrodes attached).
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion may for example comprise graphene, or carbon nanotubes, or a mixture of graphene and carbon nanotubes.
  • the dispersion may comprise small graphene nanoplatelets less than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • the dispersion may comprise graphene nanoplatelets greater than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • the depositing may comprise depositing a first dispersion comprising a first carbon nanomaterial (e.g. graphene) and a second dispersion comprising a second carbon nanomaterial (e.g. carbon nanotubes).
  • first dispersion comprising a first carbon nanomaterial (e.g. graphene) and a second dispersion comprising a second carbon nanomaterial (e.g. carbon nanotubes).
  • the depositing of the first dispersion may be performed substantially simultaneously with the depositing of the second dispersion (e.g. by using two spray nozzles simultaneously).
  • the depositing of the first dispersion may be performed non-simultaneously with the depositing of the second dispersion.
  • the first and second dispersions may be performed a plurality of times, in an alternating manner, to build up a layered structure within the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer.
  • the or each carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion may be deposited by spraying, or by printing, or by painting, for example.
  • the method further comprises attaching a cover layer over the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer.
  • This attaching may performed at an elevated temperature (e.g. of the order of 170°C) and under applied pressure (e.g. of the order of 250 PSI).
  • the elevated temperature may be provided by hot pressing.
  • the elevated temperature may be created by passing an electric current through the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer, thus causing the heater element to heat up and effectively self-cure. This can be very beneficial if the geometry of the heater element is not suited to hot pressing.
  • the attaching may be performed using UV-curing epoxy, for example.
  • the attaching may be performed by sewing using a non-conductive thread.
  • the sewing may also pass through the first and second electrodes, to secure (or further secure) the electrodes in place.
  • the method may further comprise attaching electrical supply wires to the first and second electrodes, for example by soldering or using a clip-on connector.
  • the present disclosure also provides a method of controlling an array of heater elements so as to cause the activated heater element(s) to change over time in such a manner that the heated region of the array moves across the array in a cyclic wave-like manner.
  • the present disclosure also provides conductive ink for deposition on a substrate to form a heater element, the conductive ink comprising a dispersion which contains one or more carbon nanomaterials.
  • the dispersion may contain graphene, or carbon nanotubes, or a mixture of graphene and carbon nanotubes.
  • the dispersion may contain small graphene nanoplatelets less than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • the dispersion may contain graphene nanoplatelets greater than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • the dispersion may comprise a mixture of small graphene nanoplatelets less than 2 ⁇ m in size, and graphene nanoplatelets greater than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • the present work provides carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements which generate heat by Joule heating when an electric current is passed through a carbon nanomaterial layer (also referred to herein as a "carbon nanomaterial-containing layer").
  • the carbon nanomaterial layer comprises carbon nanomaterials such as graphene or carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof.
  • carbon nanomaterial does not encompass graphite.
  • carbon nanomaterial layer (or “carbon nanomaterial-containing layer”) as used herein does not preclude the presence of other species within the layer, such as a binder, for example.
  • the present work also provides a heat exchanger which may be integrated with an abovementioned carbon nanomaterial-based heater element, and an array of such heater elements (optionally with integrated heat exchangers).
  • Figure 1a shows a schematic plan view of a carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10
  • Figures 1b and 1c show schematic cross-sectional views of the heater element 10 of Figure 1a , taken along lines A-AA and B-BB respectively.
  • the heater element 10 comprises a substrate layer 12 on which a first electrode 14 and a second electrode 16 are provided.
  • the substrate 12 comprises a flexible polymer film (e.g. a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM)), and the first and second electrodes 14, 16 are made of copper, although other suitable materials may alternatively be used for these components.
  • RTM Kapton
  • a carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 is formed on the substrate 12, such as to extend between the first and second electrodes 14, 16 (as illustrated in Figure 1a ) and to at least partly overlap the first and second electrodes 14, 16 (as illustrated in Figures 1b and 1c ). In such a manner, the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes 14, 16.
  • Figure 1d is a schematic cross-sectional view across the entire breadth of the heater element 10, i.e. effectively along line A-BB of Figure 1a .
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 is not shown as overlapping the first and second electrodes 14, 16. However, this is merely for the sake of clarity of the diagram, and in practice the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 will, preferably, at least partly overlap the first and second electrodes 14, 16, as illustrated in the above-described Figures 1b and 1c .
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 comprises graphene.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 may comprise carbon nanotubes, or a mixture of graphene and carbon nanotubes.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 may also comprise other species, such as a binder, for example.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 is preferably formed by depositing a carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion (which we refer to as an "ink”) on the substrate 12.
  • a carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion which we refer to as an "ink”
  • a range of compositions for the ink are discussed below.
  • One end 14a of the first electrode 14, and one end 16a of the second electrode 16 function as terminals for connection to a power supply. In both cases, terminal ends 14a and 16a are distal from the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18.
  • a cover layer 20 is provided over the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18.
  • the cover layer 20 comprises a flexible polymer film (e.g. a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM)), although other suitable materials may alternatively be used.
  • a flexible polymer film e.g. a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM)
  • RTM Kapton
  • the heater element 10 has dimensions of 300 mm x 280 mm and the overall thickness (i.e. of the flexible substrate 12, the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 with electrodes 14, 16, and the flexible cover layer 20) is approximately 0.1 mm.
  • the overall heater element is therefore inherently very flexible.
  • other heater elements 10 we have made have dimensions of 80 mm x 80 mm, and 30 mm x 70 mm.
  • the heater element 10 is flexible.
  • a rigid substrate may be used instead, to form a rigid heater element.
  • the heater element 10 is substantially rectangular in shape, in alternative implementations it may be other shapes, such as circles, squares, or more complex geometries.
  • the heater element 10 In use, the heater element 10 generates heat based on the Joule heating principle. Electric power is delivered to the carbon nanomaterial (e.g. graphene) layer 18 by means of the electrodes 14, 16 (via terminals 14a and 16a). The carbon nanomaterial layer 18 heats up when the electric current is passed through it, thereby generating heat.
  • the carbon nanomaterial e.g. graphene
  • the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 when an electric current is passed through the carbon nanomaterial layer 18, a temperature rise is obtained due to Joule heating, as the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 has an electrical resistance due to the contact between the individual carbon nanomaterial particles (e.g. graphene platelets or carbon nanotubes) within the layer 18.
  • the electrical resistance and thus the heat generating capability of the heater element 10 is a function of the density of the carbon nanomaterial particles in the carbon nanomaterial layer.
  • our heater elements are, in general, not transparent; this is primarily due to the high concentration of carbon nanomaterials used in the carbon nanomaterial layer 18.
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic plan and cross-sectional views of a heat exchanger 30 suitable for use with the above-described heater element 10.
  • the heat exchanger 30 is a multilayer device which may be bonded directly underneath the above-described heater element 10 (as described below in relation to Figure 5 ).
  • the heat exchanger 30 comprises a first interlayer 34, a second interlayer 36, and a sealing layer 32.
  • the sealing layer 32 is bonded to the first interlayer 34, and the first interlayer 34 is bonded to the second interlayer 36 around the outer edges (regions 42 in Figure 2a , as described further below).
  • the sealing layer 32 comprises a thin polymer film (e.g. a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM)), and the first and second interlayers 34, 36 are each made of a thicker polymer film (e.g. a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM)), although other suitable materials may alternatively be used for these components.
  • a thin polymer film e.g. a polyimide film, such as Kapton (RTM)
  • RTM Kapton
  • each of the first and second interlayers 34, 36 has a thickness of 0.5 mm, and the thinner sealing layer 32 has a thickness of 0.1 mm.
  • a first channel 39 is formed within the second interlayer 36.
  • One end of the first channel 39 forms an air inlet 38.
  • a second channel 40 is also formed within the second interlayer 36, at the opposite end of the heat exchanger from the first channel 39.
  • One end of the second channel 40 forms an air outlet 41.
  • the heat exchanger 30 (more particularly the second interlayer 36) is bonded to the heater element 10, or is otherwise coupled in a manner which allows heat transfer between the heater element 10 and the heat exchanger 30.
  • a stream of cold air is received via the inlet 38 and the first channel 39 and is blown through the two interlayers 34, 36 to the second channel 40 and thence the outlet 41.
  • Air can also flow between layer 32 and interlayer 34, as well as between interlayer layer 36 and the heater element 10, as a consequence of interlayers 34 and 36 being bonded to layer 12 and heater element 10 only at the outer edges of the interlayers 34, 36 (regions 42 in Figure 2a ), as described further below.
  • heat exchange function of the heat exchanger 30 heat is taken away from the heater element 10, such that the air that leaves the outlet 41 is warmer than the air that enters the inlet 38.
  • the first and second interlayers 34, 36 include a specially designed pattern of apertures (holes and slots), arranged to create a multiplicity of small channels via which the air passes from the first channel 39 to the second channel 40.
  • the sealing layer 32 does not incorporate any such holes or slots, thereby restricting the multiplicity of small channels, and the airflow, to the first and second interlayers 34, 36.
  • each interlayer 34, 36 has a different slots pattern.
  • the slot pattern of the first interlayer 34 comprises an alternating arrangement of parallel relatively long slots 35a and parallel relatively short slots 35b, aligned with the "x" direction. Between successive parallel relatively long slots 35a, a plurality of relatively short slots 35b are collinear with one another.
  • the slot pattern of the second interlayer 36 comprises a staggered arrangement of parallel relatively short slots 37, aligned with the "y" direction (the "y" direction being at 90° to the "x” direction).
  • the "y” direction corresponds to the direction across the heat exchanger from the first channel 39 to the second channel 40
  • the "x” direction corresponds to the orientation of the first and second channels 39, 40, at each edge of the heat exchanger.
  • the slot patterns of the first and second interlayers are designed in such a way that the slots 35a, 35b of the first interlayer 34 cross with the slots 37 of the second interlayer 36, thereby creating a network of channels. More particularly, the slots 35a, 35b in the first interlayer 34 distribute air in the "x" direction, whereas air flows through the slots 37 in the second interlayer 36 in the "y” direction (the airflow being denoted by the arrows in Figures 3a and 3b ). This causes the air to be spread uniformly across the whole surface of the heat exchanger and to efficiently extract heat from all the heat-generating area of the heater element 10.
  • the heat exchange is performed in such a way that cold air flowing through the slots in the second interlayer 36 directly comes into contact with the substrate 12 of the heater element 10 and takes heat away from the heater element 10 via the air outlet 41.
  • Figure 4 illustrates, by way of example only, possible dimensions (in millimetres) of the slots 37 in the second interlayer 36.
  • the slots are small enough (2 mm wide and 6 mm long) such that the sealing layer 32 does not bend into the slot (which would potentially cause blockage of the channel) when a load is applied perpendicular to the surface and the device is bent.
  • the heat exchanger 30 is made from polymer layers (e.g. polyimide layers) 32, 34, 36 bonded together, with criss-crossing slots being provided in interlayers 34 and 36
  • multiple layers of orthogonal-grid mesh e.g. made of fibreglass to provide flexibility and resilience, and using e.g. five layers of mesh
  • Each layer of mesh may be, for example, 0.4 mm thick, and the size of each of the apertures in the grid may be of the order of a couple of millimetres.
  • a first piece 70 of mesh in a first orientation may be used as the first interlayer (34); and a second piece 72 of the same mesh in a second orientation (at 45° to the first orientation) may be used as the second interlayer (36).
  • the first and second pieces of mesh 70, 72 are attached on top of one another (74) and trimmed to shape to form the active core of the heat exchanger. It should be noted that the illustrations in Figure 6 represent just a small part of what would typically be a larger heat exchanger construction.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the above-described carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10 bonded to the above-described (polymer layer based) heat exchanger 30, so as to create an integrated multilayer device 44.
  • the heater element 10 is placed on top of the heat exchanger 30, with substrate 12 of the heater element 10 being bonded (or otherwise coupled) to the second interlayer 36 of the heat exchanger 30.
  • the cover layer 20 of the heater element 10 may be bonded (or otherwise coupled) to the second interlayer 36 of the heat exchanger 30.
  • the resulting integrated device 44 is capable of generating heat (via the heater element 10) as well as extracting heat (via the heat exchanger 30) from any surfaces or components placed on top of the heater element 10.
  • Cold air can be delivered via flexible tubing attached to the air inlet 38 of the heat exchanger 30 (via an appropriately-shaped connector to connect the tubing with the flat and thin air inlet 38 of the heat exchanger 30). Any suitable source of cold air may be used.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative heat exchanger configuration 80, shown bonded to the above-described carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10.
  • this alternative heat exchanger 80 one or more interlayers 82 are contained within a bag-like heat exchanger body 84.
  • the bag-like body 84 of the alternative heat exchanger 80 is illustrated in more detail in Figure 8 , in plan view.
  • the heat exchanger body 84 is formed from a thermal plastic sleeving (for example polytubing). After the one or more interlayers 82 and a gas inlet 86 have been inserted into the sleeving 84, the sleeving 84 is welded as per welding lines 88, for example using polymer welding tongs. The carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10 is then attached to the heat exchanger 80 by means of an adhesion compound such as glue or epoxy.
  • This section details the preparation of carbon nanomaterial-containing inks, comprising combinations of graphene and carbon nanotubes with binders (polymers) as set out in the table below, that have been successfully tested for application by spraying or brushing to form the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 of a heater element 10 as described above.
  • binders polymers
  • Each binder requires dispersion of the carbon nanomaterial in a suitable solvent.
  • the binder (polymer) itself was dissolved in a solvent where indicated, or used as-is, as in the case of green latex and epoxy resin.
  • the graphene material used to prepare inks in the present work in the form of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) powder, was produced by FGV Cambridge Nanosystems Limited and is commercially available under the brand name CamGraph (RTM).
  • the powder showed a 99% carbon purity and contained graphene with an average diameter of 450 nm (from 150 nm to 750 nm) and a thickness of up to 5 nm.
  • highly effective inks can also be made using larger graphene flakes, of the order of 100 ⁇ m in size, or any size up to that.
  • the processing used to prepare the inks will likely result in a reduction in size of such large graphene flakes, the original size of the graphene flakes is no hindrance to the production of effective inks.
  • One graphene based ink we have devised, suitable for use in the present work, contains small-size graphene nanoplatelets less than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • Another graphene based ink we have devised contains larger graphene nanoplatelets greater than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • a further graphene based ink we have devised contains a mixture of the small-size graphene nanoplatelets less than 2 ⁇ m in size and the larger graphene nanoplatelets greater than 2 ⁇ m in size.
  • the thickness of the graphene flakes we have found that the fewer the layers (or the thinner the flakes), the better the performance, but significantly thicker graphene material can also be used, for example up to 50 nm in thickness.
  • the carbon nanotubes used in the present work were multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) according to the following parameters:
  • Carbon nanotubes from multi-wall CNT arrays and graphene from graphene nanopowders can be used individually in certain inks, or combined in a range of combinations to form other inks.
  • one ink may comprise only carbon nanotubes as the carbon nanomaterial.
  • One ink may comprise only graphene as the carbon nanomaterial.
  • Another ink may comprise a mixture of carbon nanotubes and graphene as the carbon nanomaterials.
  • one ink we have devised, suitable for use in the present work contains a mixture of small-size graphene nanoplatelets (less than 2 ⁇ m in size) and carbon nanotubes.
  • a single ink comprising a mixture of carbon nanomaterials e.g. graphene and carbon nanotubes
  • a graphene-containing ink may be sprayed, followed by a carbon nanotube containing ink, or vice versa, and repeated as many times as necessary, in an alternating manner.
  • the use of separate inks in this manner enables each ink to be tailored to suit the specific carbon nanomaterial therein (e.g. in respect of the solvent or binder used), so as to avoid agglomeration of the carbon nanomaterial and thereby achieve better control and better heat-generating behaviour of the resulting heating element.
  • the carbon nanomaterial concentration in the final heating layer varies between 0 and 40 wt.% (the remainder being the binder or a combination of the binders), their concentration in the ink would typically vary between 0.05 and 5%. Usually, higher relative concentrations of CNTs would require higher concentration of the filler in the ink. Water based inks and solvent free resin systems would have filler concentrations at the higher end of the spectrum.
  • Ink base Possible binder(s) Graphene wt.% min-max CNT wt.% min-max Water Surfactant, latex Polyvinyl alcohol 0-5 0-5 Alcohol Polyamides 0-40 1-40 Organic solvent Polyimides, resins 0-40 0-40 Solvent-free Resins, thermosets 5-15 5-15
  • Solvent based inks are prepared by dissolving the binder in a suitable solvent at the highest concentration possible.
  • the carbon filler in a combination suitable for the application is dispersed in a solvent that is both compatible with the solvent used for the binder and wets the nanocarbon well.
  • the concentration of the nanocarbon component is dependent on the intended application of the final heater as low voltage applications have to display very high conductivity and will require a higher loading fraction.
  • Higher voltage applications e.g. mains power
  • Each layer of Kapton (RTM) (our presently-preferred polymer film for the substrate 12 and cover layer 20 of the heater element 10, and for the sealing layer 32 of the heat exchanger 30) has adhesive on one side.
  • RTM Kapton
  • the layers should preferably be treated in a certain way. More particularly, the layers should preferably be heated up to around 170°C and a pressure of around 250 PSI applied for 30-60 minutes. The pressure and temperature treatment melts and cures the adhesive, resulting in good bonding between the Kapton (RTM) layers.
  • This "pressing and curing" technique is referred to a number of times in the method steps which follow below.
  • the heating may be effected by putting the layers into a hot press or similar apparatus.
  • an electric current may be passed through the carbon nanomaterial layer, to cause the heater element to heat up and effectively self-cure.
  • layers may be bonded using UV-curing epoxy, which does not require the application of pressure and temperature and so may again be advantageous if the geometry of the heater element is not suited to hot pressing.
  • Step 1 Preparation of copper electrodes (copper edging) 14, 16 on the substrate 12
  • copper foil is bonded onto the substrate 12 (which in our presently-preferred embodiment is made of Kapton (RTM)).
  • RTM Kapton
  • a chemical etching process may then be used to remove excess copper and to leave the desired pattern of copper electrodes 14, 16.
  • Step 2 Deposition of carbon nanomaterial-containing ink onto the substrate 12
  • Multiple layers of carbon nanomaterial-containing ink may then be sprayed onto the substrate 12 onto which the copper electrodes 14, 16 have been formed.
  • the ink is deposited such that it overlaps with at least part of each of the electrodes 14, 16, thereby ensuring good electrical connection between the resulting carbon nanomaterial layer 18 and the electrodes 14, 16.
  • a single spray operation produces a carbon nanomaterial layer that is around 3 ⁇ m in thickness.
  • the thickness of the resulting carbon nanomaterial layer 18 can be increased accordingly, enabling the resistance of the resulting carbon nanomaterial layer 18 to be controlled to suit voltage requirements (e.g. 12V DC, 230V AC, or others).
  • Spraying is also advantageous in that it enables the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 to be deposited on complex (e.g. three dimensional) substrate geometries.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing ink may be used instead of spraying.
  • One such alternative is printing of the conductive ink. With the printing method, the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 will be made out of multiple lines of conductive ink. Printing provides higher precision in comparison to the spraying method. This advantageously allows us to vary the thickness of the resulting carbon nanomaterial layer 18 in various places. As the thickness of the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 varies, the current density which passes though the layer 18 during heating will also vary. Thus, intentionally varying the thickness of the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 can be used to advantage, to compensate for geometrical effects which can otherwise cause parts of the heater element to be hotter or cooler than others, or to deliberately provide temperature variation at different places on the layer 18.
  • Another alternative deposition technique for the carbon nanomaterial-containing ink is to paint the ink onto the substrate 12, e.g. using a brush.
  • Step 3 Introduction of cover layer 20 onto the carbon nanomaterial layer 18
  • a protective cover layer 20 of polymer film (which in our presently-preferred embodiment is made of Kapton (RTM)) is then put in place to cover the carbon nanomaterial layer 18 and the electrodes 14, 16.
  • RTM Kapton
  • Step 4 Bonding of cover layer 20 to carbon nanomaterial layer 18
  • Step 5 Cutting to shape
  • the resulting laminate is then cut to shape and pattern, for example using a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) router.
  • CNC Computer Numerical Control
  • the external shape of the heater element 10, as well as any holes or cut-outs within the heater element can be made.
  • Other cutting techniques, such as laser cutting, may be used instead, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.
  • Step 6 Connecting electrical supply wires
  • Copper electrical supply wires are then soldered (e.g. manually, or using an automated soldering process) to the electrodes 14, 16, at ends 14a and 16a.
  • Other attachment techniques for connecting the electrical supply wires to the electrodes 14, 16 may be used instead, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.
  • An example of an alternative way of attaching the electrical supply wires to the ends 14a and 16a of the electrodes 14, 16, using a clip-on connector, is discussed below with reference to Figures 16 and 16a .
  • Step 1 Cutting the first interlayer 34 and second interlayer 36 to shape, with the pattern of internal slots (e.g. using a CNC router).
  • Step 2 Bonding the first and second interlayers 34, 36 together, using the "pressing and curing" technique described above.
  • Step 3 Bonding the first interlayer 34 to the sealing layer 32, using the "pressing and curing" technique described above.
  • Bonding of the heat exchanger 30 to the carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10 to form the integrated device 44 may be performed manually using a suitable adhesive (for example a sealant).
  • the adhesive is applied to the periphery of the upper surface of the heat exchanger 30, only in the regions outside the slotted area. Such bonding regions are denoted by reference numeral 42 in Figure 2a .
  • a single carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10 may be used, either with or without an accompanying heat exchanger 30. Such applications would typically be those where localised heating and/or cooling is desired, e.g. to pre-heat or cool an electronic component or a circuit board in an electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone, portable computer or tablet device).
  • Figure 9 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a single carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10 connected to a power supply 46.
  • a plurality of carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 again either with or without accompanying heat exchangers.
  • using a plurality of heater elements 10 enables the area being heated to be increased, and/or enables a complex (potentially three-dimensional) geometry to be heated.
  • Figure 10 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a plurality of carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 connected in parallel to a power supply 46.
  • three heater elements 10 are connected in parallel, by connecting the first electrode 14 of each the heater elements 10 together, and by connecting the second electrode 16 of each the heater elements 10 together.
  • other numbers of heater elements e.g. two, or more than three may be connected in such a manner, and/or in other geometrical configurations.
  • Figure 11 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a plurality of carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 connected in series to a power supply 46.
  • two heater elements 10 are connected in series, but as those skilled in the art will appreciate, other numbers of heater elements (i.e. more than two) may be connected in such a manner, and/or in other geometrical configurations,
  • the carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 of the present work can reach high temperatures.
  • the maximum operational temperature i.e. the maximum temperature that can reliably be maintained
  • the substrate which supports the carbon nanomaterial layer For example, using a polyimide substrate we are able to reach an operational temperature of the order of 200°C, and possibly higher. With a different choice of substrate we are able to achieve an operational temperature of the order of 450°C-500°C.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 of the present work achieve rapid heating and cooling rates.
  • a heater element 10 of the present work can heat up at a rate as fast as 4°C/second, and can cool down at a rate of around 2-3°C/second.
  • these rapid heating and cooling rates can be applied to single heater elements and series- or parallel-connected heater elements, they can be used to particular advantage in an array of individually powered (i.e. selectively heatable) carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10.
  • a suitable power controller and appropriate circuitry to selectively supply power to individual heater elements, it is possible to vary with time (e.g. in a matter of seconds) which part of the array is heated.
  • Figure 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of such an array 50, comprising nine individually-addressable carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 (denoted A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2 and C3) that are connected to a power control unit 52.
  • the array may comprise different numbers of heater elements, e.g. any number between two and eight, or more than nine, and/or may be arranged in different geometrical configurations.
  • the power control unit 52 is operable to supply power to any of the heater elements in the array, individually or in certain combinations, by supplying electrical current via ports A, B and C (individually or in any combination) and via ports 1, 2 and 3 (individually or in any combination) of the power control unit 52.
  • the power control unit 52 may be configured such that, when power is supplied to more than one heater element, the overall power supplied to the elements is increased proportionately, so that the activated heater elements are heated to the same temperature, irrespective of the number of heater elements that are activated.
  • the addressing circuitry of Figure 12 does not permit the simultaneous activation of heater elements which differ in both row letter and column number, without also activating other heater elements.
  • heater elements A2 and B1 cannot be simultaneously activated without also activating elements A1 and B2.
  • alternative addressing circuitry may be used which enables any combination of heater elements in the array to be activated. This may be done, for example, by connecting one of the electrodes (e.g. electrode 14) of each heater element to a common return path and, for each of the heater elements, providing a separate, dedicated, element-specific control path from the power control unit to the other electrode (e.g. electrode 16) of the heater element.
  • FIG. 13 shows the heater array 50 of Figure 12 incorporated into (or onto) a substrate 60, with the control unit 52 to one side.
  • the substrate 60 may be flexible, whereas in other applications the substrate 60 may be rigid.
  • the heater elements 10 may individually controllable, whereas in other applications the heater elements 10 may be connected in parallel so as to operate as one.
  • Examples of potential applications for arrays of the carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 are as follows:
  • the use of carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements confers the benefits of flexibility (i.e. bendability), light weight and compactness / space-saving.
  • the present carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 provide rapid heating and cooling rates. By virtue of these rapid heating and cooling rates, by producing an array of individually controlled (i.e. selectively heatable) carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10 it is possible to vary with time (e.g. in a matter of seconds) which part of the array (e.g. a specific heater element or a subset of the heater elements) is activated. Under the control of the power control unit 52 (in which a microprocessor would be suitably programmed with instruction code), the heated region of the device (e.g. massage mat or pad, or heated car seat) can be made to change over time, thereby causing "waves" of heat to move across the device, e.g. from one side to another, or up and down. This is considered beneficial for therapeutic purposes.
  • a single device may be programmed with a variety of different "heat wave" sequences.
  • Figures 14a , 14b and 14c show examples of heating sequences to which the individual heater elements of the arrays of Figures 12 and 13 may be subjected, to generate such "heat wave” effects.
  • Each 3x3 grid is an array 50 of carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10, as discussed above.
  • the stars denote, at each point in time, which elements of the array receive electrical power and generate heat.
  • FIGs 14a , 14b and 14c one complete cycle of the heating sequence is depicted. In practice, the cycle in question would be repeated.
  • the heating sequence is such that rows of heater elements are activated in turn, from top to bottom and then back again. Such a sequence may again be effected using the circuitry of Figure 12 , under the control of the power control unit 52.
  • the heater elements that are activated (in combination) at each step of the sequence, and the corresponding ports of the power control unit via which power would be supplied are as follows: Heater elements Ports of the power control unit via which power is supplied A1, B1, C1 A, B, C, 1 A2, B2, C2 A, B, C, 2 A3, B3, C3 A, B, C, 3 A2, B2, C2 A, B, C, 2 A1, B1, C1 A, B, C, 1
  • the heating sequence is such that columns of heater elements are activated in turn, from left to right and then back again. Such a sequence may be effected using the circuitry of Figure 12 , under the control of the power control unit 52.
  • the heater elements that are activated (in combination) at each step of the sequence, and the corresponding ports of the power control unit via which power would be supplied are as follows: Heater elements Ports of the power control unit via which power is supplied A1, A2, A3 A, 1, 2, 3 B1, B2, B3 B, 1, 2, 3 C1, C2, C3 C, 1, 2, 3 B1, B2, B3 B, 1, 2, 3 A1, A2, A3 A, 1, 2, 3
  • the heating sequence is such that diagonal lines of heater elements are activated in turn, from the top left corner of the array to the bottom right corner and then back again. Due to the activation of diagonal lines of heater elements, the circuitry of Figure 12 is not suitable to effect this heating sequence, and it would be necessary to use alternative addressing circuitry which enables any combination of heater elements in the array to be activated. As discussed above, this may be done, for example, by connecting one of the electrodes (e.g. electrode 14) of each heater element to a common return path and, for each of the heater elements, providing a separate, dedicated, element-specific control path from the power control unit to the other electrode (e.g. electrode 16) of the heater element.
  • one of the electrodes e.g. electrode 14
  • the heater elements that are activated (in combination) at each step of the sequence are as follows:
  • the present work provides highly accurate heat delivery devices which can be precisely controlled for heat output, accurate temperature settings and electrical energy input.
  • carbon nanomaterials e.g. graphene platelets or carbon nanotubes
  • the present work provides a highly controllable heater element in the form of a flexible sheet, the heater element comprising a thin, flexible carbon nanomaterial layer (e.g. comprising graphene and/or carbon nanotubes) disposed on a flexible substrate.
  • the substrate e.g. comprising graphene and/or carbon nanotubes
  • Electrodes e.g. made of copper are provided at opposing edges of the carbon nanomaterial layer, electrically connected to the carbon nanomaterial layer.
  • the application of a voltage across the electrodes (and thus across the carbon nanomaterial layer) will produce a temperature rise due to Joule heating, as the carbon nanomaterial layer has an electrical resistance due to the contact between the individual carbon nanomaterial particles (e.g. graphene platelets or carbon nanotubes).
  • the individual carbon nanomaterial particles e.g. graphene platelets or carbon nanotubes.
  • each platelet to platelet (or nanotube to nanotube) resistance will vary slightly, but over the whole sheet these average out to a repeatable, measurable value, provided the concentration of carbon nanomaterial particles across the sheet is consistent.
  • the electrical resistance and thus the heat generating capability of the heater element is a function of the density of the carbon nanomaterial particles in the carbon nanomaterial layer.
  • Such sheets can be used either singly or in modular form.
  • Such sheets can replace traditional heating wires and elements and can be applied where other heating systems cannot be employed (e.g. on curved and/or flexible surfaces).
  • carbon nanomaterial layers (with appropriate electrodes, to thereby function as heater elements) can be formed on both the top side and the underside of a single substrate.
  • the heating element can act as a space heater.
  • a fluid e.g. air
  • holes may be provided in the sheet.
  • a heat exchanger arrangement as described above may be employed.
  • the first and second electrodes 14, 16 are shown as being situated along outer edges of the device.
  • the substrate 12 made of an electrically-insulating material, e.g. Kapton
  • the electrodes 14, 16 are positioned inwards of the outer edges of the substrate 12.
  • the substrate 12 surrounding the electrodes 14, 16 facilitates the sealing of the cover layer 20 to the substrate 12 and also provides electrical insulation around the outside of the electrodes 14, 16, thus enhancing the electrical safety of the device.
  • the electrical supply wires are soldered to the ends 14a and 16a of the electrodes 14, 16.
  • the electrical supply wires may be attached to the ends 14a and 16a of the electrodes 14, 16 using a clip-on connector 11.
  • the clip-on connector incorporates a clip mechanism which, when closed, secures the connector above and below (and around the outside of) the ends 14a and 16a of the electrodes 14, 16.
  • the connector 11 includes two electrically-conductive contact regions 13a, 13b, that are respectively pressed against the surfaces of the electrode ends 14a, 16a when the clip-on connector is closed, thereby effecting electrical connection between the contact regions 13a, 13b and the electrodes 14, 16.
  • the contact regions 13a, 13b extend into a port region 15 of the connector 11.
  • the port region 15 incorporates a set of electrical terminals (not shown) that are electrically connected to the contact regions 13a, 13b and adapted to receive the electrical supply wires.
  • the electrical supply wires become electrically connected to the electrodes 14, 16.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer is disposed on a substrate 12 that comprises a flexible polymer film (e.g. Kapton).
  • a breathable fabric may be used as a substrate 18' onto which the electrically-conductive carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion or ink is applied.
  • the breathable fabric substrate 18' may for example be woven, or alternatively may be non-woven.
  • the breathable fabric substrate may be a woven glass fibre fabric, or may be made of a textile material.
  • the breathable fabric substrate 18' advantageously allows air to flow through it, which is advantageous in respect of transferring heat from the heater element 10' to such a flow of air.
  • the carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion e.g. containing graphene, carbon nanotubes, or a mixture thereof
  • the electrodes 16, 18 are arranged along opposing sides of the coated fabric substrate 18'.
  • an underlying layer 12' of electrically-insulating breathable fabric may be used to support the coated fabric substrate 18' and the electrodes and to provide electrical insulation (as, in practice, it is likely that both sides of the coated fabric substrate 18' will become electrically conductive once the carbon nanomaterial-containing dispersion has been applied, due to the open structure of the fabric).
  • a cover layer 20' also of electrically-insulating breathable fabric, may also be applied over the top of the coated fabric substrate 18'.
  • the underlying fabric layer 12', the coated fabric substrate 18' and the cover layer 20' may all be joined together by sewing using a non-conductive thread, although other joining techniques are also possible, such as gluing (or welding, if the fabric substrate 18' and layers 12' and 20' are polymer-based).
  • a stack of a plurality (two in this example, but more than two are also possible) of carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10' may be formed.
  • the individual heater elements 10' in the stack may be joined together by sewing or other appropriate techniques (e.g. as mentioned above). Airflow is possible through the entire thickness of the stack. With such a stack, greater overall heating ability of the airflow may be achieved.
  • a variant of the stack principle may include only a single layer 12" of electrically-insulating fabric between the (or each) neighbouring pair of carbon nanomaterial-coated fabric substrates 18'.
  • Figure 18 is a schematic plan view of another variant of the carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10 of Figure 1a , but in this case incorporating one or more holes 17 in the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18, embodying the present invention.
  • the substrate 12 is bonded to the cover layer 20 (refer back e.g. to Figure 1d ) at one or more points across the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 (i.e. not just around the sides of it), thereby enhancing the structural integrity of the heater element 10.
  • the provision of holes in the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 also causes the electrical current flowing between the electrodes 14, 16 to be concentrated into certain areas, and this principle can be used to achieve a variation in the heat distribution across the heater element (as greater heating is obtained in regions where greater current flows).
  • This principle is illustrated further in Figure 19 , in which regions 19 of the carbon nanomaterial-containing layer 18 are devoid of carbon nanomaterials. This causes the electrical current flowing between the electrodes 14, 16 to concentrate in region 21, thereby achieving a variation in the heat distribution across the heater element 10 (that is to say, a greater degree of heating in region 21, and a lesser degree of heating away from region 21).
  • the heat distribution across the heater element 10 can also be changed.
  • each carbon nanomaterial-based heater element 10 has its own dedicated pair of electrodes 14, 16.
  • a pair of neighbouring heater elements may share a common electrode.
  • Such an arrangement is illustrated in the schematic circuit diagram of Figure 20 , in which a common electrode 23 is shared by two adjacent carbon nanomaterial-based heater elements 10a, 10b.
  • Each heater element has its own dedicated power supply, with power supply 46a providing power to heater element 10a, and power supply 46b providing power to heater element 10b. It will naturally be appreciated that the polarity of either power supply may be reversed if so desired.

Claims (18)

  1. Élément chauffant (10) comprenant :
    un substrat (12) ;
    une première électrode (14) et une seconde électrode (16) disposées sur le substrat (12) ;
    une couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) disposée sur le substrat (12), la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) étant disposée entre les première et seconde électrodes (14, 16) et connectée électriquement à celles-ci; et
    une couche de couverture (20) disposée sur la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18);
    dans lequel la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) intègre un ou plusieurs trous (17);
    caractérisé en ce que la couche de couverture (20) est liée au substrat (12) par l'intermédiaire desdits un ou plusieurs trous (17), en un ou plusieurs points à travers la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18).
  2. Élément chauffant selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) comprend du graphène;
    ou dans lequel la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) comprend des nanotubes de carbone;
    ou dans lequel la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) comprend un mélange de graphène et de nanotubes de carbone.
  3. Élément chauffant selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) inclut une première sous-couche comprenant un premier nanomatériau de carbone et une seconde sous-couche comprenant un second nanomatériau de carbone;
    éventuellement dans lequel la première sous-couche comprend du graphène et la seconde sous-couche comprend des nanotubes de carbone.
  4. Élément chauffant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le substrat (12) comprend un film polymère souple;
    éventuellement dans lequel le substrat (12) comprend un film de polyimide, par exemple du Kapton.
  5. Élément chauffant selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le substrat (12) comprend un tissu respirant à travers lequel l'air peut circuler;
    éventuellement dans lequel le substrat (12) comprend un tissu, par exemple un tissu de fibres de verre;
    ou dans lequel le substrat (12) comprend un tissu non tissé.
  6. Élément chauffant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) recouvre au moins partiellement chacune des première et seconde électrodes (14, 16).
  7. Élément chauffant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la couche de couverture (20) comprend un film polymère;
    éventuellement dans lequel la couche de couverture (20) comprend un film de polyimide, par exemple du Kapton.
  8. Élément chauffant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ayant une épaisseur de l'ordre de 0,1 mm.
  9. Élément chauffant selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la couche de couverture (20) comprend un tissu respirant électriquement isolant à travers lequel l'air peut circuler.
  10. Élément chauffant selon la revendication 9, comprenant en outre une couche de tissu respirant électriquement isolant sur le côté opposé du substrat (12) par rapport à la couche de couverture (20).
  11. Article comprenant un élément chauffant (10) ou une pile d'éléments chauffants selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, le ou les éléments chauffants étant connectés à une alimentation électrique (46).
  12. Procédé de fabrication d'un élément chauffant (10), le procédé comprenant de :
    agencer une première électrode (14) et une seconde électrode (16) sur un substrat (12) ;
    déposer une dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone sur le substrat (12) de manière à former une couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) entre les première et seconde électrodes (14, 16) et connectée électriquement à celles-ci; et
    fixer une couche de couverture (20) sur la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) ;
    caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend en outre de lier la couche de couverture (20) au substrat (12) par l'intermédiaire d'un ou plusieurs trous (17) dans la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18), en un ou plusieurs points à travers la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18).
  13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel la dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend du graphène;
    ou dans lequel la dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend des nanotubes de carbone;
    ou dans lequel la dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend un mélange de graphène et de nanotubes de carbone.
  14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend de petites nanoplaquettes de graphène de taille inférieure à 2 µm ;
    ou dans lequel la dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend des nanoplaquettes de graphène d'une taille supérieure à 2 µm ;
    ou dans lequel la dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend un mélange de petites nanoplaquettes de graphène de taille inférieure à 2 µm, et de nanoplaquettes de graphène de taille supérieure à 2 µm.
  15. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le dépôt comprend le dépôt d'une première dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprenant un premier nanomatériau de carbone et une seconde dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprenant un second nanomatériau de carbone;
    éventuellement dans lequel la première dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend du graphène et la seconde dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone comprend des nanotubes de carbone;
    éventuellement dans lequel le dépôt de la première dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone est effectué sensiblement simultanément au dépôt de la seconde dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone,
    ou dans lequel le dépôt de la première dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone est réalisé de manière non simultanée avec le dépôt de la seconde dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone, par exemple dans lequel le dépôt des première et seconde dispersions contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone est réalisé une pluralité de fois, de manière alternée.
  16. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 15, dans lequel la ou chaque dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone est déposée par pulvérisation, impression ou peinture;
    éventuellement dans lequel la ou chaque dispersion contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone est déposée de telle sorte qu'elle recouvre au moins partiellement chacune des première et seconde électrodes (14, 16).
  17. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 16, dans lequel la fixation est effectuée à une température élevée et sous une pression appliquée;
    éventuellement dans lequel la température élevée est de l'ordre de 170 °C;
    éventuellement dans lequel la pression appliquée est de l'ordre de 250 PSI ;
    éventuellement dans lequel la température élevée est fournie par pressage à chaud, ou est créée en faisant passer un courant électrique à travers la couche contenant des nanomatériaux de carbone (18) ;
    ou dans lequel la fixation est effectuée à l'aide d'un époxy à durcissement UV.
  18. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel chacun de la couche de couverture (20) et du substrat (12) comprend un tissu respirant électriquement isolant à travers lequel l'air peut circuler;
    éventuellement dans lequel la fixation est effectuée par couture en utilisant un fil non conducteur;
    éventuellement dans lequel la couture passe à travers les première et seconde électrodes (14, 16).
EP17718603.8A 2016-04-15 2017-04-13 Éléments de chauffage, échangeurs de chaleur et ensembles d'éléments de chauffage Active EP3443810B1 (fr)

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DE102018101719A1 (de) 2018-01-25 2019-07-25 PÖTTER-KLIMA Gesellschaft für Nano-Heiztechnologie mbH Bodenheizung
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CN109927324A (zh) * 2019-03-01 2019-06-25 中金态和(武汉)石墨烯研究院有限公司 一种石墨烯复合加热膜的三层共挤出制备方法
CN110513888A (zh) * 2019-08-28 2019-11-29 姜向荣 一种平板u型微通道石墨烯加热热水器
CN110944414A (zh) * 2019-10-21 2020-03-31 珠海烯蟀科技有限公司 一种微晶玻璃或云母片发热装置及其电极连接方法
CN111491404B (zh) * 2019-10-29 2022-04-12 珠海泓星科技有限公司 一种导电片作为电极的石墨烯玻璃烧水壶
EP4061787B1 (fr) 2019-11-18 2024-05-01 6K Inc. Charges d'alimentation uniques pour poudres sphériques et leurs procédés de fabrication
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KR20230029836A (ko) 2020-06-25 2023-03-03 6케이 인크. 마이크로복합 합금 구조
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WO2017178841A1 (fr) 2017-10-19
DK3443810T3 (da) 2022-06-13
GB2551250A (en) 2017-12-13
GB2551250B (en) 2022-02-09
EP3443810A1 (fr) 2019-02-20
PL3443810T3 (pl) 2022-08-16

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