Patents by Inventor Donald H. Stephenson

Donald H. Stephenson 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: 6740420
    Abstract: A method for improving the electrical conductivity of a substrate of metal, metal alloy or metal oxide comprising depositing a small or minor amount of metal or metals from Group VIIIA metals (Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt) or from Group IA metals (Cu, Ag, Au) on a substrate of metal, metal alloys and/or metal oxide from Group IVA metals (Ti, Zr, Hf), Group VA metals (V, Nb, Ta), Group VIA metals (Cr, Mo, W) and Al, Mn, Ni and Cu and then directing a high energy beam onto the substrate to cause an intermixing of the deposited material with the native oxide of the substrate metal or metal alloy. The native oxide layer is changed from electrically insulating to electrically conductive. The step of depositing can be carried out, for example, by ion beam assisted deposition, electron beam deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma assisted, low pressure plasma and plasma spray deposition and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Muffoletto, Ashish Shah, Donald H. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20030207134
    Abstract: A method for improving the electrical conductivity of a substrate of metal, metal alloy or metal oxide comprising depositing a small or minor amount of metal or metals from Group VIIIA metals (Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt) or from Group IA metals (Cu, Ag, Au) on a substrate of metal, metal alloys and/or metal oxide from Group IVA metals (Ti, Zr, Hf), Group VA metals (V, Nb, Ta), Group VIA metals (Cr, Mo, W) and Al, Mn, Ni and Cu and then directing a high energy beam onto the substrate to cause an intermixing of the deposited material with the native oxide of the substrate metal or metal alloy. The native oxide layer is changed from electrically insulating to electrically conductive. The step of depositing can be carried out, for example, by ion beam assisted deposition, electron beam deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma assisted, low pressure plasma and plasma spray deposition and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Barry Muffoletto, Ashish Shah, Donald H. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6599580
    Abstract: A method for improving the electrical conductivity of a substrate of metal, metal alloy or metal oxide comprising depositing a small or minor amount of metal or metals from Group VIIIA metals (Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt) or from Group IA metals (Cu, Ag, Au) on a substrate of metal, metal alloys and/or metal oxide from Group IVA metals (Ti, Zr, Hf), Group VA metals (V, Nb, Ta), Group VIA metals (Cr, Mo, W) and Al, Mn, Ni and Cu and then directing a high energy beam onto the substrate to cause an intermixing of the deposited material with the native oxide of the substrate metal or metal alloy. The native oxide layer is changed from electrically insulating to electrically conductive. The step of depositing can be carried out, for example, by ion beam assisted deposition, electron beam deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma assisted, low pressure plasma and plasma spray deposition and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry C. Muffoletto, Ashish Shah, Donald H. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6334879
    Abstract: A sealed capacitor, which may be hermetic, having a generally flat, planar geometry, is described. The capacitor includes at least one electrode provided by a metallic substrate having a capacitive material contacted thereto. The coated substrate can provide at least one of the casing side walls itself or, be connected to the side wall. A most preferred form of the capacitor has the conductive substrate provided with the capacitive material formed from an ultrasonically generated aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry C. Muffoletto, Rodney E. Stringham, Neal N. Nesselbeck, Ashish Shah, Donald H. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20010051231
    Abstract: A method for improving the electrical conductivity of a substrate of metal, metal alloy or metal oxide comprising depositing a small or minor amount of metal or metals from Group VIIIA metals (Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt) or from Group IA metals (Cu, Ag, Au) on a substrate of metal, metal alloys and/or metal oxide from Group IVA metals (Ti, Zr, Hf), Group VA metals (V, Nb, Ta), Group VIA metals (Cr, Mo, W) and Al, Mn, Ni and Cu and then directing a high energy beam onto the substrate to cause an intermixing of the deposited material with the native oxide of the substrate metal or metal alloy. The native oxide layer is changed from electrically insulating to electrically conductive. The step of depositing can be carried out, for example, by ion beam assisted deposition, electron beam deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma assisted, low pressure plasma and plasma spray deposition and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: BARRY C. MUFFOLETTO, ASHISH SHAH, DONALD H. STEPHENSON
  • Patent number: 6231993
    Abstract: An anodized pressed valve metal powder pellet is described. The anodized pellet is particularly useful as an anode in an electrolytic capacitor having an improved breakdown voltage. The anodized pellet is formed by periodically holding the pellet at a constant voltage and allowing the current to decay over a period of time, or by turning the formation power supply off altogether during the anodization process. Either way provides an opportunity for heated electrolyte to diffuse from the anodized pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald H. Stephenson, Martin D. Cymerman, Barry C. Muffoletto
  • Patent number: 5926362
    Abstract: A sealed capacitor, which may be hermetic, having a generally flat, planar geometry, is described The capacitor includes at least one electrode provided by a metallic substrate having a capacitive material contacted thereto. The coated substrate can provide at least one of the casing side walls itself or, be connected to the side wall. A most preferred form of the capacitor has the conductive substrate provided with the capacitive material formed from an ultrasonically generated aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry C. Muffoletto, Rodney E. Stringham, Neal N. Nesselbeck, Ashish Shah, Donald H. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 5105341
    Abstract: A tantalum electrolytic capacitor utilizes a tantalum liner in place of previously used silver liner thus permitting the capacitor to withstand a reverse dc voltage up to 3 VDC continuously with no serious degradation of electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Yosemite Investment, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald H. Stephenson, Kieth N. Green