Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Feger

Christopher R. Feger 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: 7715174
    Abstract: A metal or metal alloy foil substrate, preferably an unetched and uncoated metal or metal alloy foil substrate, such as but not limited to titanium, palladium, lead, nickel, tin, platinum, silver, gold, zirconium, molybdenum, tantalum, palladium-silver alloy, platinum-rhodium alloy, platinum-ruthenium alloy, and/or platinum-iridium alloy, is used as the cathode in an electrolytic capacitor, preferably an aluminum electrolytic capacitor having a multiple anode flat, stacked capacitor configuration. Despite a 120 Hz bridge capacitance measurement lower than with etched aluminum, the use of an unetched and uncoated metal or metal alloy foil cathode according to the present invention will inhibit gas production and not cause the capacitor to swell. Furthermore, an electrolytic capacitor built with a 30 micron unetched and uncoated foil cathode according to the present invention can deliver a stored to discharge energy ratio sufficient for use in pulse discharge applications, such as an in an ICD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Joseph Beauvais, Melissa A. Moore, James L. Stevens, Thomas F. Strange, Christopher R. Feger
  • Patent number: 7695529
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrolytic capacitor with improved deformation qualities includes impregnating an electrolytic capacitor with a first electrolyte, aging the electrolytic capacitor after impregnating and reimpregnating the electrolytic capacitor with a second electrolyte. The water content of the second electrolyte is lower than the water content of the first electrolyte. The second electrolyte may also have a lower viscosity and a higher conductivity than the first electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Marshall, James L. Stevens, Christopher R. Feger
  • Patent number: 7651647
    Abstract: A method for producing battery cathodes comprises mixing a cathode active material and a conductive polymer such as polyaniline or poly(ethylenedioxythiophene). The conductive polymers are used in lieu of or in addition to conventional conductive additives and binder materials and significantly reduces or even eliminates the need for such conductive additives or binder materials. The resulting cathodes have a greater weight percentage of the active material and a larger volumetric energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Strange, Christopher R. Feger
  • Patent number: 7531010
    Abstract: According the present invention, anode foils are encapsulated in separator material so as to insulate them from the metal housing of an electrolytic capacitor. The present invention also provides for enclosed capacitor configurations for use in stacked capacitor configurations. Preferably, heat-sealable polymeric materials are used as separator materials to encapsulate or enclose the anode assemblies and capacitor configurations. The encapsulated anode assemblies and capacitor configurations of the present invention may be used in implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Feger, Thomas F. Strange
  • Patent number: 7485240
    Abstract: An electrolyte including ?-butyrolactone, a cosolvent and an alcohol is disclosed, which may be used in an electrolytic capacitor with very high operating voltage. Optional additional additives are added to the electrolyte to enhance its conductivity and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Feger, Jesse S. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7404829
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for assembling multiple anode stacked capacitor configurations with a temporary adhesive to aide in the alignment of separator materials and electrodes without sacrificing energy density, and electrolytic capacitors comprising such configurations. The temporary adhesive for use in the electrode assemblies will preferably comprise a polymer that is substantially soluble in a solvent-based electrolyte for use in an electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Feger, Timothy R. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7196899
    Abstract: According the present invention, anode foils are encapsulated in separator material so as to insulate them from the metal housing of an electrolytic capacitor. The present invention also provides for enclosed capacitor configurations for use in stacked capacitor configurations. Preferably, heat-sealable polymeric materials are used as separator materials to encapsulate or enclose the anode assemblies and capacitor configurations. The encapsulated anode assemblies and capacitor configurations of the present invention may be used in implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Feger, Thomas F. Strange
  • Patent number: 7169284
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conductive polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) polymer coated electrode adapted for use as a cathode electrode of an electrolytic capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, a metal foil substrate is placed in an aqueous solution of a doped 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer and a co-solvent, to dissolve the EDOT monomer, and a current is applied until the desired thickness of the polymer coating is electrochemically deposited. Additionally, an organic acid is added to the aqueous solution to act as an oxidizer. In order to improve the uniformity and adherence of the coating a surfactant may also be added. In a preferred embodiment, the EDOT monomer and cosolvent are first mixed, and then added to a water solution of oxidizer and dopant. The polymer film is deposited electrochemically onto the substrate by applying a DC current between 0.05 mA/cm2 and 5.0 mA/cm2 for 1 to 60 minutes, more preferably between about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Naixiong Jiang, Timothy Marshall, Melissa Moore, Christopher R. Feger, Thomas F. Strange