Patents by Inventor Andrew P. Ritter

Andrew P. Ritter 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: 11830672
    Abstract: An ultracapacitor that is capable of exhibiting good properties even after being subjected to high temperatures, such as experienced during solder reflow, is provided. The ultracapacitor contains a housing having sidewalls that extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a base. An interior cavity is defined between an inner surface of the base and the sidewalls within which an electrode assembly can be positioned. To attach the electrode assembly, first and second conductive members are disposed on the inner surface of the base. The electrode assembly likewise contains first and second leads that extend outwardly therefrom and are electrically connected to the first and second conductive members, respectively. The first and second conductive members are, in turn, electrically connected to first and second external terminations, respectively, which are provided on an outer surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA AVX Components Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Jonathan Robert Knopsnyder, Shawn Hansen
  • Patent number: 11817262
    Abstract: Relatively low noise capacitors are provided for surface mounted applications. Electro-mechanical vibrations generate audible noise, which are otherwise relatively reduced through modifications to MLCC device structures, and/or their mounting interfaces on substrates such as printed circuit boards (PCBs). Different embodiments variously make use of flexible termination compliance so that surface mounting has reduced amplitude vibrations transmitted to the PCB. In other instances, side terminal and transposer embodiments effectively reduce the size of the mounting pads relative to the case of the capacitor, or a molded enclosure provides standoff, termination compliance and clamping of vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA AVX Components Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Carl L. Eggerding
  • Publication number: 20230230779
    Abstract: An ultracapacitor that is capable of exhibiting good properties even after being subjected to high temperatures, such as experienced during solder reflow, is provided. The ultracapacitor contains a housing having sidewalls that extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a base. An interior cavity is defined between an inner surface of the base and the sidewalls within which an electrode assembly can be positioned. To attach the electrode assembly, first and second conductive members are disposed on the inner surface of the base. The electrode assembly likewise contains first and second leads that extend outwardly therefrom and are electrically connected to the first and second conductive members, respectively. The first and second conductive members are, in turn, electrically connected to first and second external terminations, respectively, which are provided on an outer surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Jonathan Robert Knopsnyder, Shawn Hansen
  • Patent number: 11195659
    Abstract: Improved termination features for multilayer electronic components are disclosed. Monolithic components are provided with plated terminations whereby the need for typical thick-film termination stripes is eliminated or greatly simplified. Such termination technology eliminates many typical termination problems and enables a higher number of terminations with finer pitch, which may be especially beneficial on smaller electronic components. The subject plated terminations are guided and anchored by exposed internal electrode tabs and additional anchor tab portions which may optionally extend to the cover layers of a multilayer component. Such anchor tabs may be positioned internally or externally relative to a chip structure to nucleate additional metallized plating material. External anchor tabs positioned on top and bottom sides of a monolithic structure can facilitate the formation of wrap-around plated terminations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Robert H. Heistand, II, John L. Galvagni, Sriram Dattaguru
  • Patent number: 11160988
    Abstract: Discrete cofired feedthrough filters are provided for medical implanted device applications. A plurality of discrete vertical feedthrough filter elements are respectively associated with a plurality of signal wires or pins otherwise supported by an insulating feedthrough and a ferrule. The resulting discrete device comprises a single-element device which is cheaper to make, and which reduces cross-talk between adjacent signal wires/pins while otherwise accommodating changes in feedthrough pitch without having to redesign the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew P. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20210166873
    Abstract: Relatively low noise capacitors are provided for surface mounted applications. Electro-mechanical vibrations generate audible noise, which are otherwise relatively reduced through modifications to MLCC device structures, and/or their mounting interfaces on substrates such as printed circuit boards (PCBs). Different embodiments variously make use of flexible termination compliance so that surface mounting has reduced amplitude vibrations transmitted to the PCB. In other instances, side terminal and transposer embodiments effectively reduce the size of the mounting pads relative to the case of the capacitor, or a molded enclosure provides standoff, termination compliance and clamping of vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Carl L. Eggerding
  • Patent number: 10943741
    Abstract: A tunable multilayer capacitor array is provided. The tunable multilayer capacitor includes a plurality of tunable multilayer capacitors that are connected in parallel. The tunable multilayer capacitor has an initial capacitance value greater than about 0.1 microFarads at an operating voltage greater than about 10 volts. The tunable multilayer capacitor is configured to have a tunable capacitance by applying a DC bias voltage to the tunable multilayer capacitor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Nies, Andrew P. Ritter, Richard C. VanAlstine
  • Patent number: 10923277
    Abstract: Relatively low noise capacitors are provided for surface mounted applications. Electro-mechanical vibrations generate audible noise, which are otherwise relatively reduced through modifications to MLCC device structures, and/or their mounting interfaces on substrates such as printed circuit boards (PCBs). Different embodiments variously make use of flexible termination compliance so that surface mounting has reduced amplitude vibrations transmitted to the PCB. In other instances, side terminal and transposer embodiments effectively reduce the size of the mounting pads relative to the case of the capacitor, or a molded enclosure provides standoff, termination compliance and clamping of vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Carl L. Eggerding
  • Patent number: 10903016
    Abstract: A tunable multilayer capacitor is provided. The capacitor comprises first active electrodes that are in electrical contact with a first active termination and alternating second active electrodes that are in electrical contact with a second active termination. The capacitor also comprises first DC bias electrodes that are in electrical contact with a first DC bias termination and alternating second DC bias electrodes that are in electrical contact with a second DC bias termination. A plurality of dielectric layers are disposed between the alternating first and second active electrodes and between the alternating first and second bias electrodes. At least a portion of the dielectric layers contain a dielectric material that exhibits a variable dielectric constant upon the application of an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Craig W. Nies, Richard VanAlstine
  • Patent number: 10840027
    Abstract: A tunable multilayer capacitor is provided. The capacitor comprises a first active electrode in electrical contact with a first active termination and a second active electrode in electrical contact with a second active termination. The capacitor comprises a first DC bias electrode in electrical contact with a first DC bias termination and a second DC bias electrode in electrical contact with a second DC bias termination. A plurality of dielectric layers disposed between the first and second active electrodes and between the first and second bias electrodes. At least a portion of the dielectric layers contain a tunable dielectric material that exhibits a variable dielectric constant upon the application of an applied DC voltage across the first and second DC bias electrodes. A thickness of at least one of the plurality of dielectric layers is greater than about 15 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Nies, Andrew P. Ritter, Richard C. VanAlstine
  • Patent number: 10840031
    Abstract: An ultracapacitor that is in contact with a hot atmosphere having a temperature of about 80° C. or more is provided. The ultracapacitor contains a first electrode, second electrode, separator, nonaqueous electrolyte, and housing is provided. The first electrode comprises a first current collector electrically coupled to a first carbonaceous coating and the second electrode comprises a second current collector electrically coupled to a second carbonaceous coating. The capacitor exhibits a capacitance value within the hot atmosphere of about 6 Farads per cubic centimeter or more as determined at a frequency of 120 Hz and without an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Robert Knopsnyder, Shawn Hansen, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10672970
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for constructing thermoelectric devices (TEDs). N-type elements are paired with P-type elements in an array of pairs between substrates. The paired elements are electrically connected in series by various techniques including brazing for hot side and/or also cold side connections, and soldering for cold side connections while being thermally connected in parallel. In selected embodiments, electrical and mechanical connections of the elements may be made solely by mechanical pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Nies, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10622438
    Abstract: A multi-layer electronic device is disclosed that comprises a ceramic layer, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer contains a first tab portion extending to the first lateral edge of the ceramic layer, the first electrode layer further defining a first cut-out region. The second electrode layer contains a second tab portion extending to the first lateral edge of the ceramic layer, the second electrode layer further defining a second cut-out region. The first tab portion of the first electrode layer is offset from the second tab portion of the second electrode layer in the longitudinal direction so that a first gap region is formed within which the first tab portion does not overlap the second tab portion. Further, the first cut-out region at least partially overlaps the second cut-out region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Marianne Berolini
  • Publication number: 20200066461
    Abstract: An ultracapacitor that is in contact with a hot atmosphere having a temperature of about 80° C. or more is provided. The ultracapacitor contains a first electrode, second electrode, separator, nonaqueous electrolyte, and housing is provided. The first electrode comprises a first current collector electrically coupled to a first carbonaceous coating and the second electrode comprises a second current collector electrically coupled to a second carbonaceous coating. The capacitor exhibits a capacitance value within the hot atmosphere of about 6 Farads per cubic centimeter or more as determined at a frequency of 120 Hz and without an applied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan Robert Knopsnyder, Shawn Hansen, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20200006007
    Abstract: A tunable multilayer capacitor is provided. The capacitor comprises first active electrodes that are in electrical contact with a first active termination and alternating second active electrodes that are in electrical contact with a second active termination. The capacitor also comprises first DC bias electrodes that are in electrical contact with a first DC bias termination and alternating second DC bias electrodes that are in electrical contact with a second DC bias termination. A plurality of dielectric layers are disposed between the alternating first and second active electrodes and between the alternating first and second bias electrodes. At least a portion of the dielectric layers contain a dielectric material that exhibits a variable dielectric constant upon the application of an applied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Craig W. Nies, Richard VanAlstine
  • Patent number: 10510940
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for constructing thermoelectric devices (TEDs). N-type elements are paired with P-type elements in an array of pairs between substrates. The paired elements are electrically connected in series by various techniques including brazing for hot side and/or also cold side connections, and soldering for cold side connections while being thermally connected in parallel. In selected embodiments, electrical and mechanical connections of the elements may be made solely by mechanical pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Nies, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10483449
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for constructing thermoelectric devices (TEDs). N-type elements are paired with P-type elements in an array of pairs between substrates. The paired elements are electrically connected in series by various techniques including brazing for hot side and/or also cold side connections, and soldering for cold side connections while being thermally connected in parallel. In selected embodiments, electrical and mechanical connections of the elements may be made solely by mechanical pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Nies, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10475595
    Abstract: An ultracapacitor that is in contact with a hot atmosphere having a temperature of about 80° C. or more is provided. The ultracapacitor contains a first electrode, second electrode, separator, nonaqueous electrolyte, and housing is provided. The first electrode comprises a first current collector electrically coupled to a first carbonaceous coating and the second electrode comprises a second current collector electrically coupled to a second carbonaceous coating. The capacitor exhibits a capacitance value within the hot atmosphere of about 6 Farads per cubic centimeter or more as determined at a frequency of 120 Hz and without an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Robert Knopsnyder, Shawn Hansen, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20190336775
    Abstract: Discrete cofired feedthrough filters are provided for medical implanted device applications. A plurality of discrete vertical feedthrough filter elements are respectively associated with a plurality of signal wires or pins otherwise supported by an insulating feedthrough and a ferrule. The resulting discrete device comprises a single-element device which is cheaper to make, and which reduces cross-talk between adjacent signal wires/pins while otherwise accommodating changes in feedthrough pitch without having to redesign the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew P. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10446328
    Abstract: An ultracapacitor that comprises a first and second electrochemical cell that are connected in parallel is provided. The cells are define by a first electrode that contains a current collector having opposing sides coated with a carbonaceous material, a second electrode that contains a current collector having opposing sides coated with a carbonaceous material, and a separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second cell is by the second electrode, a third electrode that contains a current collector having opposing sides coated with a carbonaceous material, and a separator positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode. The ultracapacitor also contains a nonaqueous electrolyte that is in ionic contact with the electrodes and contains a nonaqueous solvent and an ionic liquid. A package encloses the first cell, the second cell, and the nonaqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Robert Knopsnyder, Shawn Hansen, Andrew P. Ritter