Electrically conductive water repellant fabric composite

Abstract

The invention relates to a water repellent, electrically conductive composite comprising an electrically conductive fabric comprising a first upper surface and a second lower surface, wherein the first upper surface opposes the second lower surface, a hydrophobic coating overlaying at least the first upper surface and second lower surface of the conductive fabric thereby forming a hydrophobic coated fabric, and barrier layers on the hydrophobic coated fabric such that the barrier layers form the outer surfaces of the water repellent, electrically conductive composite, and wherein the barrier layers are electrically insulating and water and water-vapor impermeable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the electrically conductive water repellant fabric composite.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the electrically conductive water repellant fabric composite wherein the water repellant layer is directly on the conductive fabric.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the electrically conductive water repellant fabric composite wherein the water repellant layer is directly on the hydrophobically treated conductive fabric.

Claims

1) An electrically conductive water repellent composite comprising: an electrically conductive fabric comprising a first upper surface and a second lower surface, wherein the first upper surface opposes the second lower surface;a hydrophobic coating overlaying at least the first upper surface and second lower surface of the conductive fabric thereby forming a hydrophobic coated fabric; and,barrier layers on the hydrophobic coated fabric such that the barrier layers form the outer surfaces of the electrically conductive water repellent composite, and wherein the barrier layers are electrically insulating and impermeable to water and water vapor.

2) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 1, wherein hydrophobic coating comprises a fluorochemical.

3) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 2, wherein hydrophobic coating comprises a fluorocarbon.

4) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, silicone, polychloroprene, thermoplastic polyolefins, acrylic homo- or copolymer latex, and styrene-butadiene rubber.

5) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 1, wherein the conductive fabric comprises conductive yarns.

6) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 1, wherein the conductive fabric comprises conductive yarns and nonconductive yarns.

7) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 1, wherein the conductive fabric comprises electrically conductive plated yarns.

8) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 1, wherein the conductive fabric comprises a plated layer of metal.

9) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 8, wherein the metal comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silver, aluminum, copper, and nickel.

10) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 1, wherein the conductive fabric comprises a coating of conductive material.

11) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 10, wherein the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of carbon, intrinsically conducting polymers, silver, aluminum, copper, and nickel.

12) A process for forming an electrically conductive water repellent composite comprising in order: applying a hydrophobic coating to an electrically conductive fabric on at least a first upper surface and a second lower surface thereby forming a hydrophobic coated fabric; and,applying barrier layers to the hydrophobic coated fabric such that the barrier layers form the outer surfaces of the water repellent, electrically conductive composite, and wherein the barrier layers are electrically insulating and impermeable to water and water vapor.

13) The process of claim 12, wherein the wherein hydrophobic coating comprises a fluorochemical.

14) The process of claim 12, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, silicone, and polychloroprene.

15) The process of claim 12, wherein the conductive fabric comprises conductive yarns.

16) The process of claim 12, wherein the conductive fabric comprises conductive yarns and nonconductive yarns.

17) The process of claim 12, wherein the conductive fabric comprises electrically conductive plated yarns.

18) The process of claim 12, wherein the conductive fabric comprises a plated layer of metal selected from the group consisting of silver, aluminum, copper, and nickel.

19) The process of claim 12, wherein the conductive fabric comprises a coating of conductive material.

20) The electrically conductive water repellent composite of claim 19, wherein the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of carbon, intrinsically conducting polymers, silver, aluminum, copper, and nickel.

21) The process of claim 12, wherein applying the hydrophobic coating comprises padding on an aqueous solution comprising a hydrophobic material.

22) The process of claim 12, wherein the barrier layers are applied to the hydrophobic coated fabric by a method selected from the group consisting of lamination, extrusion coating, dip coating, knife coating, spray coating and foam coating.

23. The process of claim 12, further comprising forming the electrically conductive water repellent composite into a heated article.

24. The process of claim 23, wherein a water-impermeable sealant is applied to any sections of the barrier layers may have been punctured during formation into a heated article.