Patents Assigned to W. C. Heraeus GmbH
  • Electrode structure and methods for producing and using the same
    Publication number: 20040256146
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing electrode structures which have a supply line and a contact surface connected thereto, wherein a planar electrode material is roll bonded onto a planar carrier material and the thickness of the electrode material and carrier material is reduced by rolling. The electrode material is then structured with formation of contact surfaces and supply lines in its surface, and predefined parts of the electrode material are removed. Then, electrode material located on the carrier material is coated with a sealing compound or a foil, and the carrier material is then removed. The structure may be used in medical implants for neuro stimulation and/or muscular stimulation, for example in a cochlear implant, a retina implant, or a cortical electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Matthias Frericks, Frank Kruger
  • Alloy and its use
    Publication number: 20040253137
    Abstract: An alloy based on silver is provided, which can be used for reflective layers with a reflection factor of >90% in the visible spectral range of daylight and which exhibits a high resistance to corrosion in sulfur-containing atmospheres. The alloy contains about 0.01 to 5 wt % indium and/or tin and/or antimony and/or bismuth and the remainder silver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Bernd Gehlert, Heiko Specht, Oliver Warkentin
  • Niobium alloy and hydrogen permeation membrane produced from it
    Patent number: 6800392
    Abstract: A hydrogen permeation membrane including a niobium alloy with 5-25 wt. % of at least one element from the group consisting of palladium, ruthenium, rhenium, platinum, gold, and rhodium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Jantsch, Harald Manhardt, David Francis Lupton
  • Tube target
    Patent number: 6793784
    Abstract: A tube target for cathode sputtering installations, and a process for producing a cylindrical hollow body for such a tube target and its use. The problem of providing a simple and low-cost process for producing a cylindrical hollow body for a tube target and of providing a cylindrical hollow body with a uniform, fine-grained structure is solved by the cylindrical hollow body being produced by centrifugal casting of a melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Otto Bach, David Lupton, Hans Bohmeier, Ralf Heck
  • Alloys, reflector layers and their use
    Publication number: 20040161630
    Abstract: Alloys and reflector layers are provided which are based on silver and which contain at least three different chemical elements. The alloys and reflector layers are used for reflective layers with a reflection factor of over 90% in the visible spectral range of daylight and exhibit a high resistance to atmospheric corrosion relative to chlorine and sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventors: Heiko Specht, Oliver Warkentin, Torsten Halden
  • Process for producing platinum alkenyl polysiloxane complex compounds, especially platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane
    Patent number: 6777566
    Abstract: A process for producing platinum alkenyl polysiloxane complex compounds, especially platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, by reacting a haloplatinum compound with at least one alkenyl polysiloxane in the initial presence of platinum in the form of a platinum complex compound as an autocatalyst and in the initial presence of at least one base in an organic solvent or mixture of organic solvents that can be oxidized by the haloplatinum compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ramona Reitz, Richard Walter
  • Metal alloy for medical devices and implants
    Publication number: 20040158309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device or implant made at least in part of a high strength, low modulus metal alloy comprising Niobium, Tantalum, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zirconium, Tungsten, and Molybdenum. The medical devices according to the present invention provide superior characteristics with regard to bio-compatibility, radio-opacity and MRI compatibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Wachter, Jens Trotzschel
  • Oxygen-enriched niobium wire
    Publication number: 20040149356
    Abstract: A niobium wire, a process for producing it, and its use for connection to niobium or niobium oxide capacitors. The wire is enriched with oxygen and preferably has oxygen concentrations of about 3,000 to 30,000 &mgr;g/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Spaniol
  • Composite membrane and production method therefor
    Patent number: 6761755
    Abstract: A composite membrane is provided having a flexible metallic substrate for separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures, which achieves a separation ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen of greater than about 4,000 at operating temperatures higher than 300° C. The composite membrane has a layer system arranged on at least one surface of the substrate, the layer system having a rigid, non-self-supporting, nonmetallic inorganic diffusion barrier layer adjacent the substrate, and at least one hydrogen-permeable, nonporous, metallic membrane on the side of the barrier facing away from the substrate. A method for production of such a composite membrane is also provided in which the diffusion barrier layer adjoining the membrane layer is formed by PVD, CVD, sol-gel process, or sintering-on powder particles, and the membrane layer is electrodeposited on the diffusion barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Jantsch, David Lupton, Thomas Giesel
  • Stimulation electrode and its use
    Publication number: 20040133258
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode has an electrode surface at least partially covered with a coating of titanium nitride, the titanium nitride having on its side remote from the electrode surface a larger surface than the region of the electrode surface covered by the titanium nitride. The titanium nitride is covered with at least one oxidation protection layer on its surface remote from the electrode surface. The stimulation electrode is useful, for example, in cardiac pacemakers, neuro-stimulation devices and other human implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Frericks, Frank Kruger, Heiko Specht
  • Injection-molded plastic part
    Patent number: 6759140
    Abstract: An injection-molded plastic part having a first thermoplastic component and a second thermoplastic component. Areas consisting of the first thermoplastic component are present at least on one surface of the injection-molded plastic part next to areas of the second thermoplastic component. The first thermoplastic component is an LCP and the second thermoplastic component is a syndiotactic polystyrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Heiner Bittrich, Stefan Claus, Frank Krüger, Jan Wahode, Volker Zippmann
  • Stimulation electrode and methods of making and using same
    Publication number: 20040127966
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode is provided having an electrically conducting electrode base member which is partially covered with an electrically insulating ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of at least one metal of the group of titanium, niobium. tantalum, zirconium, aluminum and silicon. Various methods are provided for production of the stimulation electrode, including methods in which the ceramic layer is formed in situ by a thermal, chemical or electrochemical oxidation or oxynitridation process. The stimulation electrode may be used as a cardiac pacemaker electrode, a neuro-stimulation electrode, or another human implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Frericks, Oliver Keitel, Frank Kruger, Heiko Specht, Hans-Jurgen Wachter, Christiane Leitold
  • Hollow cylindrical cathode sputtering target and process for producing it
    Patent number: 6756081
    Abstract: A hollow cylindrical target for a cathode sputtering unit with a hollow cylindrical sputtering material and a target holder is disclosed. The sputtering material has an annular cross section and concentrically surrounds a longitudinal segment of the target holder. The target holder extends out of the sputtering material at least at one end of the target to allow connection to the cathode sputtering unit. The at least one part of the target holder that extends from the sputtering material is a single part that can be detached from the target by at least one screw fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: David Lupton, Ralf Heck, Bernd Stenger, Oliver Warkentin
  • Processes for producing a sputtering target from a silicon-based alloy, a sputtering target
    Publication number: 20040094283
    Abstract: A process for producing a sputtering target from a silicon-based alloy with an aluminum content of 5-50 wt. %. The target material is produced by a casting technique in which the material is melted and vacuum-cast, such that the casting is carried out in a hollow cylindrical casting mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Weigert, Josef Heindel, Uwe Konietzka
  • Method for producing a cyanide-free solution of a gold compound that is suitable for galvanic gold baths
    Patent number: 6733651
    Abstract: A method for producing a cyanide-free solution of a gold compound that is suitable for gold electrodeposition baths. The method includes the steps of reacting at least one of a cysteine and a cysteinate with at least one of tetrachloroauric acid and a tetrachloroaurate in a first aqueous medium, separating a resulting precipitate from the first aqueous medium, and dissolving the precipitate in a second aqueous medium with elevation of the pH to 12.0-14.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Hoffacker, Renate Franz, Ramona Reitz, Richard Walter
  • Process for producing a tube-shaped cathode sputtering target
    Patent number: 6719034
    Abstract: A process for producing a tube target for cathode sputtering plants, in which the tube target is formed from a metallic inner tube (target holder) made of a first material with a first melting point of Ts1≧900 K and a metallic outer tube (target) that concentrically surrounds the inner tube and that is made of a second material with a second melting point of Ts2≦800 K. The inside diameter of the outer tube and the outside diameter of the inner tube are proportioned in such a way that the two tubes fit together tightly and are mechanically firmly joined. The outer tube is formed by casting the second material in a molten state in a heated, vertical, cylindrical permanent mold, which has a heated mandrel that constitutes the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Heck, Rainer Jüttner, David Lupton, Egon Maier, Peter Mainz, Harald Manhardt, Bernd Stenger, Holger Zingg
  • Alloy for use as stents
    Publication number: 20040062676
    Abstract: Alloys for use as stents which consist essentially of niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta) and zirconium (Zr).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: W.C. HERAEUS GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jens Trotzschel, Jurgen Wachter, Frank Kruger, Matthias Frericks
  • Gold-free platinum material dispersion-strengthened by small, finely dispersed particles of base metal oxide
    Patent number: 6663728
    Abstract: A gold-free platinum material that is dispersion-strengthened by small, finely dispersed particles of base metal oxide. The base metal is either 0.01-0.5 wt. % Sc or a mixture/alloy of Sc and at least one metal from the group consisting of Zr, Y, and Ce with a total base metal content of 0.05-0.5 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Manhardt, David Francis Lupton, Wulf Kock
  • Composite membrane and production method therefor
    Publication number: 20030213365
    Abstract: A composite membrane is provided having a flexible metallic substrate for separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures, which achieves a separation ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen of greater than about 4,000 at operating temperatures higher than 300° C. The composite membrane has a layer system arranged on at least one surface of the substrate, the layer system having a rigid, non-self-supporting, nonmetallic inorganic diffusion barrier layer adjacent the substrate, and at least one hydrogen-permeable, nonporous, metallic membrane on the side of the barrier facing away from the substrate. A method for production of such a composite membrane is also provided in which the diffusion barrier layer adjoining the membrane layer is formed by PVD, CVD, sol-gel process, or sintering-on powder particles, and the membrane layer is electrodeposited on the diffusion barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Jantsch, David Lupton, Thomas Giesel
  • Method and apparatus for reducing nitrous oxide
    Patent number: 6649134
    Abstract: A process and a device for reducing the nitrous oxide which is formed during the catalytic combustion of ammonia and oxygen to form nitrogen oxides. A catalyst system including at least one first catalyst mesh element and at least one second catalyst mesh element is used for the catalytic combustion of ammonia and oxygen to form nitrogen oxides, where the minimum of one first catalyst mesh element is a platinum-rhodium mesh and the minimum of one second, downstream catalyst mesh element is a palladium-rhodium mesh with 2-4 wt. % of rhodium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marek Gorywoda, David Francis Lupton, Jonathan Lund