Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090244812 | Hermetically Sealed Capacitor Assembly - A capacitor assembly that includes a conductive polymer electrolytic capacitor that is enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas is provided. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the conductive polymer is less likely to oxidize in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly. | 10-01-2009 |
20100061037 | Solid Electrolytic Capacitor for Embedding Into a Circuit Board - An electrolytic capacitor that is configured to be embedded into a circuit board is provided. The electrolytic capacitor contains a capacitor element, anode and cathode terminations, and a case that encapsulates the capacitor element and leaves at least a portion of the anode and cathode terminations exposed that extend outwardly from opposite ends of the case. Each of the terminations possesses an upper surface that faces toward the capacitor element and a lower surface that faces away from the capacitor element. In contrast to conventional surface-mounted electrolytic capacitors, the upper surfaces of these exposed anode and cathode termination portions are mounted to the circuit board. In this manner, the capacitor may essentially be mounted “upside down” so that some or all of its thickness becomes embedded within the board itself, thereby minimizing the height profile of the capacitor on the board. | 03-11-2010 |
20100182735 | Diced Electrolytic Capacitor Assembly and Method of Production Yielding Improved Volumetric Efficiency - A surface-mountable electrolytic capacitor with improved volumetric efficiency includes an electrolytic capacitor element, anode and cathode terminations, an encapsulation material and external terminations. The capacitor element has first and second opposing end surfaces and an anode wire extending from the first end surface that is electrically connected to a first anode termination portion. A first cathode termination portion is conductively adhered to a surface of the capacitor element, and a second portion is perpendicular to the first portion and parallel to the second end surface of the capacitor element. Encapsulating material surrounds the capacitor element to form a device package that is subsequently diced to improve volumetric efficiency and optionally expose the anode and cathode terminations on opposing end surfaces. First and second external terminations may be formed over the exposed portions of anode and cathode terminations to wrap around to one or more given surfaces of the device package. | 07-22-2010 |
20100302710 | Anode for an Electrolytic Capacitor that Contains Individual Components Connected by a Refractory Metal Paste - A solid electrolytic capacitor containing a capacitor element that includes an anode, dielectric layer, and solid electrolyte is provided. The anode is formed from a plurality (e.g., two or more) of separate components, which allows the properties of each component (e.g., density, quality, etc.) to be more readily controlled during manufacturing. The components are electrically connected using a refractory metal paste (e.g., tantalum paste) that sinter bonds to the components to form a strong and reliable connection. The ability to reliably bond together separate components enables the use of a wide degree of possible cross-sectional profiles for each individual component. For example, the components may posses a relatively complex profile that contains one or more indentations and/or projections for increasing surface area. Despite the complex profile, the components may be readily connected to each other in accordance with the present invention to form the anode. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302712 | Solid Electrolytic Capacitor with Facedown Terminations - A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains a capacitor element that includes an anode body, dielectric layer, and solid electrolyte is provided. The capacitor also contains an anode lead that is electrically connected to the anode body by a refractory metal paste (e.g., tantalum paste). The use of such a refractory metal paste allows the anode lead to be sinter bonded to a surface of the anode body after it is pressed. In this manner, a strong and reliable connection may be achieved without substantially decreasing the surface area of the lead that is available for connection to a termination. Furthermore, because the lead is not embedded within the anode body, the capacitor may be configured so that little, if any, portion of the lead extends beyond the anode body. This may result in a highly volumetrically efficient capacitor with excellent electrical properties. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302713 | Refractory Metal Paste for Solid Electrolytic Capacitors - A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains a capacitor element that includes an anode body, dielectric layer, and solid electrolyte is provided. The capacitor also contains an anode lead that is electrically connected to the anode body. Contrary to conventional capacitors in which the lead is welded or connected using a layer of seed particles, a refractory metal paste (e.g., tantalum paste) is employed in the present invention to electrically connect the anode lead to the anode body. The use of such a refractory metal paste allows the anode lead to be sinter bonded to a surface of the anode body after it is pressed. In this manner, a strong and reliable connection may be achieved without substantially decreasing the surface area of the lead that is available for connection to a termination. The paste of the present invention generally contains particles of a relatively small size. Due to in part to the relatively small size of the particles, the paste may have a relatively low viscosity, allowing it to be readily handled and applied to an anode lead and/or anode body during manufacture of the capacitor. Further, the thickness of the applied paste may also be relatively thin and still achieve the desired binding of the lead to the anode body. | 12-02-2010 |
20110058310 | Electrolytic Capacitor Assembly and Method with Recessed Leadframe Channel - A solid electrolytic capacitor has a capacitor body formed from a pressed anode, a dielectric layer and a solid electrolyte layer. An anode lead extends from anode pellet and is electrically connected to an anode termination. The outer surface of the capacitor body forms a cathode that is electrically connected to a cathode termination. Base anode and cathode termination portions are coplanar and connected with a recessed leadframe channel. A capacitor element is attached to the anode and cathode termination portions and encapsulated. The recessed leadframe channel is removed to isolate the anode and cathode terminations on a single mounting surface, leaving a surface groove formed between the anode and cathode terminations. | 03-10-2011 |
20110085285 | Hermetically Sealed Capacitor Assembly - A capacitor assembly that includes an electrolytic capacitor that contains an anode body, dielectric overlying the anode, and a solid electrolyte overlying the dielectric is provided. An anode lead is also electrically connected to the anode body and extends in a longitudinal direction therefrom. The anode lead is connected to an “upstanding” portion of a leadframe. Among other things, this helps to limit substantial horizontal movement of the lead and thereby improve the mechanical robustness of the part. The capacitor and leadframe are enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas. It is believed that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the solid electrolyte (e.g., conductive polymer) is less likely to undergo a reaction in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly. | 04-14-2011 |
20120106031 | Solid Electrolytic Capacitor for Use in High Voltage and High Temperature Applications - A capacitor assembly for use in high voltage and high temperature environments is provided. More particularly, the capacitor assembly includes a solid electrolytic capacitor element containing an anode body, a dielectric overlying the anode, and a solid electrolyte overlying the dielectric. To help facilitate the use of the capacitor assembly in high voltage applications, it is generally desired that the solid electrolyte is formed from a dispersion of preformed conductive polymer particles. In this manner, the electrolyte may remain generally free of high energy radicals (e.g., Fe | 05-03-2012 |
20120113567 | Hermetically Sealed Capacitor Assembly - A capacitor assembly that includes a conductive polymer electrolytic capacitor that is enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas is provided. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the conductive polymer is less likely to oxidize in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly. | 05-10-2012 |
20120229956 | Solid Electrolytic Capacitor with Improved Mechanical Stability - A capacitor containing a solid electrolytic capacitor element that includes an anode, dielectric, and a cathode that includes a solid electrolyte is provided. An anode lead extends from the anode and is electrically connected to an anode termination. Likewise, a cathode termination is electrically connected to the cathode. The cathode termination contains an upstanding portion that is oriented generally perpendicular to the lower surface of the capacitor element, and first and second planar portions that are oriented generally parallel to the lower surface of the capacitor. The first and second planar portions are interconnected by a folded region so that the first portion is positioned vertically above the second portion. Thus, after encapsulating the capacitor element with a molding material, the second planar portion remains exposed for subsequent connection to an electrical component. However, due to its higher vertical position, the first planar portion can be completely encapsulated by the molding material. In addition, the upstanding portion of the cathode termination is also substantially encapsulated by the molding material. By encapsulating both planar and upstanding portions of the cathode termination with the molding material, the present inventors have discovered that the likelihood of delamination is reduced even if a portion of the molding material cracks. This improves mechanical stability and electrical performance. | 09-13-2012 |
20120257328 | Housing Configuration for a Solid Electrolytic Capacitor - A capacitor assembly that is stable under extreme conditions is provided. More particularly, the assembly includes a capacitor element that is positioned within an interior cavity of a housing. The housing includes a base to which the capacitor element is connected. The housing also includes a lid that contains an outer wall from which extends a sidewall. An end of the sidewall is defined by a lip extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction and having a peripheral edge located beyond a periphery of the sidewall. The lip is hermetically sealed to the base. In some cases, the peripheral edge of the lip is also coplanar with an edge of the base. The use of such a lip can enable a more stable connection between the components and improve the seal and mechanical stability of the capacitor assembly, thereby allowing it to better function under extreme conditions. | 10-11-2012 |
20120307420 | Hermetically Sealed Capacitor Assembly - A capacitor assembly that includes an electrolytic capacitor that contains an anode body, dielectric overlying the anode, and a solid electrolyte overlying the dielectric is provided. An anode lead is also electrically connected to the anode body and extends therefrom. The capacitor and leadframe are enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas. In this manner, the solid electrolyte (e.g., conductive polymer) is less likely to undergo a reaction in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly. | 12-06-2012 |
20130321985 | Notched Lead Wire for a Solid Electrolytic Capacitor - A capacitor containing a solid electrolytic capacitor element including a sintered porous anode body and a relatively large diameter anode lead wire is provided. The lead wire is electrically connected to the anode body for connection to an anode termination. Further, the lead wire has a diameter that is at least about 10% of the height of the porous anode body to improve the points of contact between the anode body and wire to reduce ESR. A portion of the lead wire extends from a surface of the anode body in a longitudinal direction. At least one notch can be formed in the portion of the lead wire that extends from the anode body. The notch can be formed via a laser or by cutting, punching, or sawing and can serve as the point of electrical connection between the anode termination and the lead wire. | 12-05-2013 |
20140368974 | Solid Electrolytic Capacitor for Use in High Voltage and High Temperature Applications - A capacitor assembly for use in high voltage and high temperature environments is provided. More particularly, the capacitor assembly includes a solid electrolytic capacitor element containing an anode body, a dielectric overlying the anode, and a solid electrolyte overlying the dielectric. To help facilitate the use of the capacitor assembly in high voltage applications, it is generally desired that the solid electrolyte is formed from a dispersion of preformed conductive polymer particles. In this manner, the electrolyte may remain generally free of high energy radicals (e.g., Fe | 12-18-2014 |
20150055277 | Thin Wire/Thick Wire Lead Assembly for Electrolytic Capacitor - A capacitor containing a solid electrolytic capacitor element including a sintered porous anode body, a first anode lead, and a second anode lead is provided. The first anode lead has a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the second anode lead. A portion of the first anode lead is embedded in the porous anode body, and a second portion of the first anode lead extends from a surface thereof in a longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, the second anode lead is electrically connected to the anode body for connection to an anode termination. In one embodiment, the second anode lead can be directly connected to a surface of the anode body. In another embodiment, the second anode lead can be indirectly connected to the anode body such as via attachment at an end of the second portion of the first anode lead. | 02-26-2015 |