Electrolytic capacitor and multi-anodic attachment
First Claim
1. A capacitor, comprising:
- a first anode;
a cathode;
a separator between the first anode and the cathode, the separator carrying an electrolyte;
a tab, physically and electrically coupled to the first anode; and
a second anode that is physically separated from the tab and electrically coupled to the tab through the first anode, wherein the unjoined first and second anodes are electrically intercoupled by physical contact between the first and second anodes.
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Abstract
A multi-anodic aluminum electrolytic capacitor includes an electrical connection to the multiple porous (e.g., tunnel-etched) anodes in an anode stack using a single anode tab that is attached only to a first anode. Other anodes are electrically coupled to the anode tab through the first anode. Anodes in the anode stack are in intimate physical and electrical contact with other such anodes as a result of layering effected by planar stacking or cylindrical winding. The need for separate tabs to different anode layers is eliminated or at least minimized, thereby reducing capacitor volume, increasing capacitor reliability, and reducing the cost and complexity of the capacitor manufacturing process for multi-anodic capacitors. The capacitor is capable of use in implantable defibrillators, camera photoflashes, and other electric circuit applications.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A capacitor, comprising:
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a first anode;
a cathode;
a separator between the first anode and the cathode, the separator carrying an electrolyte;
a tab, physically and electrically coupled to the first anode; and
a second anode that is physically separated from the tab and electrically coupled to the tab through the first anode, wherein the unjoined first and second anodes are electrically intercoupled by physical contact between the first and second anodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A capacitor, comprising:
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a first anode;
a cathode;
a separator between the first anode and the cathode, the separator carrying a conductive electrolyte;
a tab, physically and electrically coupled to the first anode;
a second anode that is physically separated from the tab and electrically coupled to the tab through the first anode;
a dielectric including oxide on at least one surface of the first and second anodes, the dielectric electrically isolating the first and second anodes from the electrolyte and the cathode; and
wherein the first and second anodes are physically layered in intimate contact with each other, thereby breaking through portions of the oxide on opposing surfaces of the first and second anodes and resulting in electrical contact between the first and second anodes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A capacitor, comprising:
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a first anode;
a cathode;
a separator between the first anode and the cathode, the separator carrying a conductive electrolyte;
a tab, physically and electrically coupled to the first anode;
a plurality of second anodes, each second anode being physically separated from the tab and electrically coupled to the tab through the first anode;
a dielectric including oxidized portions of ones of the first and second anodes, the dielectric electrically isolating the first and second anodes from the electrolyte and the cathode; and
wherein the unjoined first and second anodes are physically and electrically intercoupled by physical contact between the first and second anodes. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of forming a capacitor, the method comprising:
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disposing a separator between a first anode and a cathode, the separator carrying a conductive electrolyte;
physically and electrically coupling a tab to the first anode;
disposing a second anode to be physically separated from the tab; and
electrically coupling a second anode to the tab through the first anode by physically contacting the unjoined first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method forming an anode stack for a cylindrical capacitor, the method comprising:
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providing two or more conductive ribbons, each having an insulative coating; and
winding portions of the conductive ribbons around an axis with sufficient force to establish electrical contact of two or more of the conductive ribbons through their respective insulative coatings. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification