Abstract: A power supply assembly, suitable for use in conjunction with a capacitive discharge welder, comprises an integrated thermal management system. The housing of the power supply assembly allows the integration of ultra-capacitor thermal management with electrical connectivity and mechanical modularity. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, aluminum (or other conductive material, such as copper, etc.) channels are shaped and arranged to both act as thermal fin elements for the removal of waste heat while simultaneously serving as an electrical path with a relatively low electrical resistance. The thermal fin assembly may comprise self-isolating insulation elements or the thermal fin elements may be electrically isolated from each other by an electrically insulating material. Airflow within the housing may be directed via fan or other method into the ultra-capacitor wind tunnel to remove heat from the capacitor cylinder itself as well as the thermal conductive fin elements.

Abstract: A linear DC welder for enhanced welding capabilities comprises one or more active filtering circuits. The active filtering circuit(s) are capable of producing a variety of user-configurable and user-controllable custom waveforms for use in various welding applications. The custom waveforms may be created and combined via the use of overlay waveforms and, in at least some preferred embodiments of the present invention, include agitation waveforms. The overall operation of the welder, including the power supply and the active filtering circuit can be controlled via an integrated feedback cycle that provides for the monitoring and adjustment of multiple weld process parameters including volts, amps, power, resistance, and displacement. Additionally, a low current ignition (“LCI”) circuit may also be included to provide for additional welding options.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a capacitive discharge welder that comprises a series of super capacitors (or ultra-capacitors) used as a power source. The capacitive discharge welder disclosed herein also comprises a dual function circuit that serves as an emergency stop circuit that is capable of redirecting or disconnecting the weld path in certain applications and situations and a drain circuit to drain a filter capacitor. The capacitive discharge welder disclosed herein is configured to use the super capacitor power supply in a direct discharge configuration as a CD welder. Additionally, the super capacitors are switched at frequency through a filter capacitor to produce a shaped DC welding waveform suitable for a wide variety of welding applications.

Abstract: A MEMS-fabricated microvacuum pump assembly is provided. The pump assembly is designed to operate in air and can be easily integrated into MEMS-fabricated microfluidic systems. The pump assembly includes a series of pumping cavities with electrostatically-actuated membranes interconnected by electrostatically-actuated microvalves. A large deflection electrostatic actuator has a curved fixed drive electrode and a flat movable polymer electrode. The curved electrodes are fabricated by buckling the electrode out-of-plane using compressive stress, and the large deflection parallel-plane electrostatic actuators are formed by using the curved electrode. The curved electrode allows the movable electrode to travel over larger distances than is possible using a flat electrode, with lower voltage. The movable electrode is a flat parylene membrane that is placed on top of the curved electrode using a wafer-level transfer and parylene bonding process.

Abstract: A MEMS-fabricated microvacuum pump assembly is provided. The pump assembly is designed to operate in air and can be easily integrated into MEMS-fabricated microfluidic systems. The pump assembly includes a series of pumping cavities with electrostatically-actuated membranes interconnected by electrostatically-actuated microvalves. A large deflection electrostatic actuator has a curved fixed drive electrode and a flat movable polymer electrode. The curved electrodes are fabricated by buckling the electrode out-of-plane using compressive stress, and the large deflection parallel-plane electrostatic actuators are formed by using the curved electrode. The curved electrode allows the movable electrode to travel over larger distances than is possible using a flat electrode, with lower voltage. The movable electrode is a flat parylene membrane that is placed on top of the curved electrode using a wafer-level transfer and parylene bonding process.