Abstract: A filter capacitor comprising a pre-sintered substrate supporting alternating active and ground electrode layers segregated by a dielectric layer is described. The substrate is of a ceramic material that maintains its shape and structure dimensions even after undergoing numerous sintering steps. Consequently, relatively thin active and ground electrode layers along with the intermediate dielectric layer can be laid down or deposited by a screen-printing technique. Using a relatively thin over-glaze in comparison to a thick upper dielectric layer finishes the capacitor. Consequently, a significant amount of space is saved in comparison to a comparably rated capacitor or, a capacitor of a higher rating can be provided in the same size as a conventional prior art capacitor. The pre-sintered ceramic substrate is used instead of conventional tape cast technology for the base dielectric.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a header assembly attachable to a medical device for the purpose of connecting its output terminals to at least one lead, the lead terminating at a target organ or portion of the body intending to be assisted. A number of leads are connectable to the header, including single and coaxial leads. The header assembly may be molded directly to the medical device or preformed and then attached to the device casing, either by mechanical fastener and/or chemical adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a header assembly attachable to a medical device for the purpose of connecting its output terminals to at least one lead, the lead terminating at a target organ or portion of the body intending to be assisted. A number of leads are connectable to the header, including single and coaxial leads. The header assembly may be molded directly to the medical device or preformed and then attached to the device casing, either by mechanical fastener and/or chemical adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a header assembly attachable to a medical device for the purpose of connecting its output terminals to at least one lead, the lead terminating at a target organ or portion of the body intending to be assisted. A number of leads are connectable to the header, including single and coaxial leads. The header assembly may be molded directly to the medical device or preformed and then attached to the device casing, either by mechanical fastener and/or chemical adhesive.

Abstract: An anode-cathode sub-assembly for an electrochemical cell wherein a combination of an elongated alkali metal anode and elongated solid cathode within separator therebetween is wound using a mandrel to form the sub-assembly having a jellyroll type configuration and wherein the winding is performed in a manner so that upon removal of the mandrel from the completed sub-assembly, in the event any portion of the separator contacted by the mandrel is impaired, this will not cause an electrical short circuit in an electrochemical cell containing the sub-assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a current collector for an electrochemical cell. The current collector has a unique grid structure comprised of a frame supporting a plurality of radial strands as conductors radiating outwardly from a focal point on a connector tab. The frame and radial conductors are maintained in a fan-like orientation with respect to each other by two groups of concentric conductor strands, one located adjacent to the tab, the other spaced a substantial distance therefrom. The radiating conductors provide a more direct path to the connector tab for electron flow. This results in the current collector having reduced internal resistance in comparison to conventional current collector designs.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the preparation of an improved cathode active material for non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell. In particular, the cathode active material comprises &egr;-phase silver vanadium oxide prepared by using a &ggr;-phase silver vanadium oxide starting material. The reaction of &ggr;-phase SVO with a silver salt produces the novel &egr;-phase SVO possessing a lower surface area than &egr;-phase SVO produced from vanadium oxide (V2O5) and a similar silver salt as starting materials. Consequently, the low surface area &egr;-phase SVO material provides an advantage in greater long term stability in pulse dischargeable cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an SVO electrochemical cell having high rate capability. The cathode is produced by coating a mixture of an active material, conductive additives, a mixed binder, and an aluminum foil current collector. The mixed binder consists of a mixture of heat treated polyamic acid with PVDF. The use of heat treated polyamic acid maintains adhesion to the conductive current collector while the PVDF portion of the binder gives flexibility. A particularly preferred couple is of a lithium/silver vanadium oxide (Li/SVO) chemistry and the binder mixture enables an active slurry of SVO to be coated onto a current collector without delamination.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrochemical cell having at least one of its electrodes produced by coating a slurry mixture of an active material, possibly a conductive additive, and a binder dispersed in a solvent and contacted to a perforated current collector foil. It is particularly important that the active slurry does not move through the perforations of the current collector. For this reason, a barrier is placed against the opposite side of the current collector to block the perforations as the current collector is being coated with the slurry. After volatilizing the solvent, a second, different active material is coated to the opposite side of the current collector, either as a slurry, a pressed powder, a pellet or a free standing sheet. An example of this is a cathode having a configuration of: SVO/current collector CFx. The opposed active materials on the current collector can also be of the same chemistry.

Abstract: The minimization or elimination of swelling in lithium cells containing CFx as part of the cathode electrode and discharged under high rate applications is described. When CFx materials are synthesized from fibrous carbonaceous materials, in comparison to petroleum coke, cell swelling is greatly reduced, and in some cases eliminated. Preferred precursors are carbon fibers and MCMB.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a lithium carbonate passivation layer on lithium through exposure of the active material to gaseous carbon dioxide prior to cell assembly. This results in an electrochemical cell which possesses improved safety and voltage delay characteristics in comparison to prior art cells comprising unexposed lithium. The preferred cell is of a lithium oxyhalide chemistry.

Abstract: An autoclavable elctrochemical cell which may be used in an implantable medical device. The anode active material is lithium or other material from groups IA and IIA of the Periodic Table and having a melting point greater than about 150 degrees C. The cathode active material is silver vanadium oxide or other metal oxide or carbon monoflouride. The solvent for the electrolyte has a boiling point greater than about 100 degrees C. and a dielectric constant greater than about 5 so that the cell. may be dimensionally and chemically stable during repeated exposures of about one hour each to the autoclaving temperatures.

Abstract: A reverse mismatched compression glass-to-metal seal is described. In this seal, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the insulating glass is lower than that of the terminal lead and, the ferrule or casing body has a similar or higher coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the terminal lead.

Abstract: A mixture of polymeric binders that is insoluble in nonaqueous organic electrolytes activating alkali metal or alkali metal ion electrochemical cells, is described. The mixed binder formulation provides electrodes that are flexible and non-brittle, and cells incorporating the electrodes are dischargeable at elevated temperatures. A preferred binder formulation is a mixture of polyvinylidene and polyimide binders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new sandwich cathode design having two cathode active materials provided on opposite sides of a current collector. The respective active materials are similar in terms of, for example, their rate capability, their energy density, or some other parameter. However, one material may have an advantage over the other in one characteristic, but is disadvantageous in another. The cathode is built in a sandwich configuration having a first one of the active materials sandwiched between two current collectors. Then, the second active material is provided in contact with at least the other side of one of the current collectors, and preferably facing the anode. An exemplary cathode has the following configuration: MnO2/current collector/SVO/current collector/MnO2.

Abstract: An electrode having the configuration: first active material/current collector/second active material is described. One of the electrode active materials in a cohesive form of active particles being firmly held together as part of the same mass is incapable of moving through the current collector to the other side thereof. However, in an un-cohesive form of active particles not being firmly held together as part of a mass, the one electrode active material is capable of communication through the current collector. The other or second active material is in a form in-capable of communication through the current collector, whether it is in a cohesive or un-cohesive powder form. Then, the assembly of first active material/current collector/second active material is pressed from either the direction of the first electrode active material to the second electrode active material, or visa versa.

Abstract: A new sandwich negative electrode design for a secondary cell is provided comprising a “sacrificial” alkali metal along with a carbonaceous anode material. In the case of a hard carbon anode material, the sacrificial alkali metal is preferably lithium and is sized to compensate for the initial irreversible capacity of this anode material. Upon activating the cells, the lithium metal automatically intercalates into the hard carbon anode material. That way, the sacrificial lithium is consumed and compensates for the generally unacceptable irreversible capacity of hard carbon. The superior cycling longevity of hard carbon now provides a secondary cell of extended use beyond that know for conventional secondary cells having only graphitic anode materials.

Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell or a capacitor is described wherein the electrode is produced by physical vapor depositing an electrode active material onto a substrate to coat the substrate. The thusly produced electrode is useful as a cathode in a primary electrochemical cell and as a cathode and an anode in a secondary cell, and as an electrode in an electrochemical capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: The negative electrode or anode for a secondary electrochemical cell comprising a mixture of graphite or “hairy carbon” and a lithiated metal oxide, a lithiated mixed metal oxide or a lithiated metal sulfide, and preferably a lithiated metal vanadium oxide, is described. A most preferred formulation is graphite mixed with lithiated silver vanadium oxide or lithiated copper silver vanadium oxide.

Abstract: The present comprises an electrode having the configuration: first active material/current collector screen/second active material. When one of the active materials is in a powder form, it is possible for that material to move through openings in the current collector screen to “contaminate” the interface between the other active material and the current collector. The present invention consists of having the other electrode active materials in a form incapable of moving through the current collector to the other side thereof. Then, the assembly is pressed from the direction of the other electrode active material. This seals off the current collector as the pressing force moves the current collector against the powdered electrode active material.