Self-centering braze assembly
First Claim
1. A braze assembly, comprising:
- a metal member including an exterior flange of the metal member, the exterior flange including an inner surface;
a braze material including titanium and nickel; and
a ceramic member including a formed end, wherein the formed end of the ceramic member adjoins the inner surface of the exterior flange and is brazed to metal member with the braze material.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Braze and electrode wire assemblies, e.g., used with an implantable microstimulator, include a wire welded in the through-hole of an electrode, which electrode is brazed to a ceramic case that is brazed to a metal ring that is welded to a metal can. The braze joints are step or similar joints that self-center the case, provide lateral support during braze assembly, and provide increased surface area that prevents braze material from exuding from the joints. The end of the ceramic case that is brazed to the metal ring need not be specially machined. The shell has a reference electrode on one end and an active electrode on the other, and is externally coated on selected areas with conductive and non-conductive materials.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A braze assembly, comprising:
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a metal member including an exterior flange of the metal member, the exterior flange including an inner surface;
a braze material including titanium and nickel; and
a ceramic member including a formed end, wherein the formed end of the ceramic member adjoins the inner surface of the exterior flange and is brazed to metal member with the braze material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A braze assembly for a microstimulator, comprising:
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a metal member including an exterior flange of the metal member, the exterior flange including an inner surface;
a braze material including titanium and nickel; and
a ceramic member including a formed end, wherein the formed end of the ceramic member adjoins the inner surface of the exterior flange and is brazed to metal member with the braze material;
wherein the metal member, the braze material, and the ceramic member form a braze assembly that is used to hermetically seal a microstimulator shell. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of brazing an assembly, comprising:
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providing a ceramic member with an end, which end is formed without machining and which ceramic member includes zirconia;
placing braze material between a metal member and the ceramic member, the braze material including titanium and nickel, the metal member including titanium and an exterior flange, which exterior flange includes an inner surface;
compressing the metal member and the end of the ceramic member formed without machining together;
heating the braze material, the metal member, and the ceramic member in a vacuum until the braze material forms a liquidus; and
cooling the braze material, the metal member, and the ceramic member in the vacuum until the braze material forms a solidus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification