Patents by Inventor A. Gordon Barr
A. Gordon Barr has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 7089982Abstract: A method of manufacturing a capacitor stack for a flat capacitor includes sequentially stacking a plurality of capacitor layers on top of each other such that each one of the plurality of capacitor layers is, in turn, a top layer of the capacitor stack, and continually applying a compression force between a bottom layer of the capacitor stack and the top layer of the capacitor stack until all of the plurality of capacitor layers have been placed.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Gordon Barr, Paul K. Hamre
-
Patent number: 7072713Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
-
Patent number: 6999304Abstract: In one aspect, a method of interconnecting two or more foils of a capacitor, the method comprising connecting together one or more anode connection members of one or more anode foils and one or more cathode connection members of one or more cathode foils and electrically isolating the one or more anode foils from the one or more cathode foils.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Brian L. Schmidt, Michael J. O'Phelan, Michael Krautkramer, Gregory J. Sherwood, A. Gordon Barr
-
Patent number: 6885887Abstract: In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a capacitor includes disposing one or more conductive layers of a first electrode stack in a recess of an alignment mechanism, where the recess is positioned relative to two or more alignment elements. The method further includes placing a separator over the one or more conductive layers where an outer edge of the separator contacts the two or more alignment elements. In one embodiment, a capacitor includes anode and cathode foils having offsetting edge portions. In one embodiment, a multiple tab cathode for a flat capacitor. A plurality of cathode tabs are portioned into a plurality of cathode tab groups positioned in different locations along the edge of the capacitor stack to reduce the amount of space required for connecting and routing the cathode tabs.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, A. Gordon Barr, Richard J. Kavanagh, Brian V. Waytashek
-
Patent number: 6881232Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Robert R. Tong, James M. Poplett, Luke J. Christenson, Alexander Gordon Barr, Brian V. Waytashek
-
Patent number: 6839224Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. A critical component in these devices is an aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which stores and delivers one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. These capacitors make up about one third the total size of the defibrillators. Unfortunately, conventional manufacturers of these capacitors have paid little or no attention to reducing the size of these capacitors through improved capacitor packaging. Accordingly, the inventors contravened several conventional manufacturing principles and practices to devise unique space-saving packaging that allows dramatic size reduction.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Alexander Gordon Barr
-
Publication number: 20040215281Abstract: A flat capacitor includes a case having a feedthrough hole, a capacitor stack located within the case, a coupling member having a base surface directly attached to the capacitor stack and having a portion extending through the feedthrough hole, the coupling member having a mounting hole, a feedthrough conductor having a portion mounted within the mounting hole, and a sealing member adjacent the feedthrough hole and the feedthrough conductor for sealing the feedthrough hole. Other aspects of the invention include various implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, and cardioverters, incorporating one or more features of the exemplary feedthrough assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Richard J. Kavanagh, James M. Poplett, A. Gordon Barr, Brian D. Schenk, Brian L. Schmidt
-
Publication number: 20040173835Abstract: In one aspect, a method of interconnecting two or more foils of a capacitor, the method comprising connecting together one or more anode connection members of one or more anode foils and one or more cathode connection members of one or more cathode foils and electrically isolating the one or more anode foils from the one or more cathode foils.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Brian L. Schmidt, Michael J. O'Phelan, Michael Krautkramer, Gregory J. Sherwood, A. Gordon Barr
-
Publication number: 20040147961Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
-
Publication number: 20040147960Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor having a first stack of capacitive elements a second stack of capacitive elements, wherein the first and second stacks are enclosed in separate compartments of a capacitor case that electrically isolate the electrolytes of each stack from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
-
Patent number: 6763265Abstract: In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a capacitor includes disposing one or more conductive layers of a first electrode stack in a recess of an alignment mechanism, where the recess is positioned relative to two or more alignment elements. The method further includes placing a separator over the one or more conductive layers where an outer edge of the separator contacts the two or more alignment elements. In one embodiment, a capacitor includes anode and cathode foils having offsetting edge portions. In one embodiment, a multiple tab cathode for a flat capacitor. A plurality of cathode tabs are portioned into a plurality of cathode tab groups positioned in different locations along the edge of the capacitor stack to reduce the amount of space required for connecting and routing the cathode tabs.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, A. Gordon Barr, Richard J. Kavanagh, Brian V. Waytashek
-
Publication number: 20040127952Abstract: A battery having flat, stacked, anode and cathode layers. The battery can be adapted to fit within an implantable medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Tom G. Victor, Benjamin J. Haasl, Lawrence D. Swanson, Richard J. Kavanagh, A. Gordon Barr, Reilly M. Dillon
-
Publication number: 20040114311Abstract: A method of joining a connection member to a capacitor foil using a staking tool having a tip of less than 0.030″ (0.762 mm) in diameter. Another embodiment couples multiple connection members of a capacitor together by edge-connecting each connection member to its substantially flush neighboring connection members. In one aspect, a capacitor includes a multi-anode stack connected at a first weld by a weld joint less than 0.060″ (1.524 mm) in diameter and a tab attached to one of the anodes of the multi-anode stack at a second weld. In one aspect, an exemplary method joining one or more foils using a staking tool having a tip of less than approximately 0.060″ (1.524 mm) in diameter. In another aspect, a capacitor including a capacitor case having an electrolyte therein and a high formation voltage anode foil having a porous structure and located within the capacitor case.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr
-
Publication number: 20040105212Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Robert R. Tong, James M. Poplett, Luke J. Christenson, Alexander Gordon Barr, Brian V. Waytashek
-
Patent number: 6709946Abstract: In one aspect, a method of interconnecting two or more foils of a capacitor, the method comprising connecting together one or more anode connection members of one or more anode foils and one or more cathode connection members of one or more cathode foils and electrically isolating the one or more anode foils from the one or more cathode foils.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, Michael Krautkramer, Gregory J. Sherwood, A. Gordon Barr
-
Patent number: 6699265Abstract: One embodiment includes a capacitor having a first anode stack having a first number of anode foils, a second anode stack having a second number of anode foils, where the first number of anode foils is different than the second number of anode foils. Another aspect provides a capacitor having a case having a curved interior surface, and first, second, and third capacitor modules that confront the curved interior surface of the case. One aspect provides a capacitor having one or more anodes and a cathode structure comprising a plurality of integrally connected cathode plates, the cathode structure having a serpentine shape, interweaving under and over each of the one or more anodes. One aspect provides a feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
-
Publication number: 20040029302Abstract: A method of manufacturing a capacitor stack for a flat capacitor includes sequentially stacking a plurality of capacitor layers on top of each other such that each one of the plurality of capacitor layers is, in turn, a top layer of the capacitor stack, and continually applying a compression force between a bottom layer of the capacitor stack and the top layer of the capacitor stack until all of the plurality of capacitor layers have been placed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Gordon Barr, Paul K. Hamre
-
Patent number: 6687118Abstract: A method of joining a connection member to a capacitor foil using a staking tool having a tip of less than 0.030″ (0.762 mm) in diameter. Another embodiment couples multiple connection members of a capacitor together by edge-connecting each connection member to its substantially flush neighboring connection members. In one aspect, a capacitor includes a multi-anode stack connected at a first weld by a weld joint less than 0.060″ (1.524 mm) in diameter and a tab attached to one of the anodes of the multi-anode stack at a second weld. In one aspect, an exemplary method joining one or more foils using a staking tool having a tip of less than approximately 0.060″ (1.524 mm) in diameter. In another aspect, a capacitor including a capacitor case having an electrolyte therein and a high formation voltage anode foil having a porous structure and located within the capacitor case.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr
-
Publication number: 20030223178Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. A critical component in these devices is an aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which stores and delivers one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. These capacitors make up about one third the total size of the defibrillators. Unfortunately, conventional manufacturers of these capacitors have paid little or no attention to reducing the size of these capacitors through improved capacitor packaging. Accordingly, the inventors contravened several conventional manufacturing principles and practices to devise unique space-saving packaging that allows dramatic size reduction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Alexander Gordon Barr
-
Publication number: 20030195568Abstract: In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a capacitor includes disposing one or more conductive layers of a first electrode stack in a recess of an alignment mechanism, where the recess is positioned relative to two or more alignment elements. The method further includes placing a separator over the one or more conductive layers where an outer edge of the separator contacts the two or more alignment elements. In one embodiment, a capacitor includes anode and cathode foils having offsetting edge portions. In one embodiment, a multiple tab cathode for a flat capacitor. A plurality of cathode tabs are portioned into a plurality of cathode tab groups positioned in different locations along the edge of the capacitor stack to reduce the amount of space required for connecting and routing the cathode tabs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, A. Gordon Barr, Richard J. Kavanagh, Brian V. Waytashek