Abstract: This application relates to multi-layered ceramic capacitors (MLCC) that can be surface mounted, include multiple terminals, and handle multiple voltages. The MLCC can include electrode and dielectric layers that are stacked in parallel to a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the MLCC can be attached. A set of primary conductive pads can be formed on the bottom of the MLCC in order to create a conductive interface between the PCB and the MLCC. Secondary conductive pads are formed on the side of the MLCC, and can extend perpendicular to the PCB. The secondary conductive pads are created by stacking internal electrode plates together and connecting them electrically and mechanically to each another. This arrangement provides for multiple voltages and electrical connections at the MLCC while reducing reverse piezoelectric and/or electro-striction noise.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to a capacitor assembly for mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB) and more specifically to designs for mechanically isolating the capacitor assembly from the PCB to reduce an acoustic noise produced when the capacitor imparts a piezoelectric force on the PCB. Termination elements in the capacitor assembly, including a porous conductive layer in the capacitor assembly may reduce an amount of vibrational energy transferred from the capacitor to the PCB. Termination elements including a soft contact layer may also reduce the amount of vibrational energy transferred to the PCB. Further, capacitor assemblies having thickened dielectric material may reduce the amount of vibrational energy transferred to the PCB.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly that includes a conductive polymer electrolytic capacitor that is enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas is provided. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the conductive polymer is less likely to oxidize in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly.

Abstract: A capacitor containing an electrochemical cell that includes ruthenium oxide electrodes and an aqueous electrolyte containing a polyprotic acid (e.g., sulfuric acid) is provided. More specifically, the electrodes each contain a substrate that is coated with a metal oxide film formed from a combination of ruthenium oxide and inorganic oxide particles (e.g., alumina, silica, etc.). Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the inorganic oxide particles may enhance proton transfer (e.g., proton generation) in the aqueous electrolyte to form hydrated inorganic oxide complexes (e.g., [Al(H2O)63+] to [Al2(H2O)8(OH2)]4+). The inorganic oxide thus acts as a catalyst to both absorb and reversibly cleave water into protons and molecular bonded hydroxyl bridges. Because the anions (e.g.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly that includes a conductive polymer electrolytic capacitor that is enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas is provided. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the conductive polymer is less likely to oxidize in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly that includes a conductive polymer electrolytic capacitor that is enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas is provided. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the conductive polymer is less likely to oxidize in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly.

Abstract: A porous substrate for use in a wide variety of applications, such as wet capacitors, is provided. The substrate is formed by subjecting a metal substrate to a voltage while in solution to initiate anodic formation of an oxide film. Contrary to conventional anodization processes, however, the newly created oxide quickly breaks down to once again expose the metal surface to the electrolytic solution. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as by raising the voltage of the solution above a critical level known as the “breakdown voltage”, employing a corrosive acid in the solution that dissolves the oxide, etc. Regardless of the mechanism employed, the nearly simultaneous process of oxide growth/breakdown results in the formation of a structure having pores arranged at substantially regular intervals. The resulting structure is highly porous and can exhibit excellent adhesion to electrochemically-active materials and stability in aqueous electrolytes.

Abstract: A capacitor containing an electrochemical cell that includes ruthenium oxide electrodes and an aqueous electrolyte containing a polyprotic acid (e.g., sulfuric acid) is provided. More specifically, the electrodes each contain a substrate that is coated with a metal oxide film formed from a combination of ruthenium oxide and inorganic oxide particles (e.g., alumina, silica, etc.). Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the inorganic oxide particles may enhance proton transfer (e.g., proton generation) in the aqueous electrolyte to form hydrated inorganic oxide complexes (e.g., [Al(H20)63+] to [Al2(H2O)8(OH2)]4+). The inorganic oxide thus acts as a catalyst to both absorb and reversibly cleave water into protons and molecular bonded hydroxyl bridges. Because the anions (e.g.

Abstract: A porous substrate for use in a wide variety of applications, such as wet capacitors, is provided. The substrate is formed by subjecting a metal substrate to a voltage while in solution to initiate anodic formation of an oxide film. Contrary to conventional anodization processes, however, the newly created oxide quickly breaks down to once again expose the metal surface to the electrolytic solution. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as by raising the voltage of the solution above a critical level known as the “breakdown voltage”, employing a corrosive acid in the solution that dissolves the oxide, etc. Regardless of the mechanism employed, the nearly simultaneous process of oxide growth/breakdown results in the formation of a structure having pores arranged at substantially regular intervals. The resulting structure is highly porous and can exhibit excellent adhesion to electrochemically-active materials and stability in aqueous electrolytes.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that includes a plurality of anodes, cathode, and working electrolyte that is disposed in electrical contact with the anodes and current collector is provided. Any number of anodes may generally be employed, such as from 2 to 40, in some embodiments from 3 to 30, and in some embodiments, from 4 to 20. The anodes are thin and typically have a thickness of about 1500 micrometers or less, in some embodiments about 1000 micrometers or less, and in some embodiments, from about 50 to about 500 micrometers. By employing a plurality of anodes that are relatively thin in nature, the resulting wet electrolytic capacitor is able to achieve excellent electrical properties.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly that includes a conductive polymer electrolytic capacitor that is enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas is provided. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the conductive polymer is less likely to oxidize in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that comprises an anode, cathode, and working electrolyte is provided. The cathode contains a coating disposed over a surface of a current collector, wherein the coating comprises a plurality of electrochemically-active particles and a binder. The binder is formed from an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 100° C. or more.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that includes an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte is provided. The cathode contains a substrate and a coating overlying the substrate. The coating comprises a sintered body containing carbonaceous particles (e.g., activated carbon) and inorganic particles (e.g., NbO2).

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that includes an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte is provided. The cathode contains a plurality of metal particles disposed on a surface of a substrate and sinter bonded thereto. The metal particles have a median size of from about 20 to about 500 micrometers.

Abstract: A working electrolyte for use in a wet electrolytic capacitor is provided. The electrolyte is relatively neutral and has a pH of from about 5.0 to about 8.0, in some embodiments from about 5.5 to about 7.5, and in some embodiments, from about 6.0 to about 7.5. Despite possessing a neutral pH level, the electrolyte is nevertheless electrically conductive. For instance, the electrolyte may have an electrical conductivity of about 10 milliSiemens per centimeter (“mS/cm”) or more, in some embodiments about 30 mS/cm or more, and in some embodiments, from about 40 mS/cm to about 100 mS/cm, determined at a temperature of 25° C.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that includes an anode, cathode, and a liquid electrolyte disposed therebetween is provided. The cathode contains a metal oxide coating, such as NbO2, in conjunction with other optional coatings to impart improved properties to the capacitor.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that includes a plurality of anodes, cathode, and working electrolyte that is disposed in electrical contact with the anodes and current collector is provided. Any number of anodes may generally be employed, such as from 2 to 40, in some embodiments from 3 to 30, and in some embodiments, from 4 to 20. The anodes are thin and typically have a thickness of about 1500 micrometers or less, in some embodiments about 1000 micrometers or less, and in some embodiments, from about 50 to about 500 micrometers. By employing a plurality of anodes that are relatively thin in nature, the resulting wet electrolytic capacitor is able to achieve excellent electrical properties.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that comprises an anode, cathode, and working electrolyte is provided. The cathode contains a coating disposed over a surface of a current collector, wherein the coating comprises a plurality of electrochemically-active particles and a binder. The binder is formed from an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 100° C. or more.

Abstract: A capacitor anode that is formed from ceramic particles (e.g., Nb2O5, Ta2O5) capable of being chemically reduced to form an electrically conductive composition (e.g., NbO, Ta) is provided. For instance, a slip composition containing the ceramic particles may be initially formed and deposited onto a carrier substrate in the form of a thin layer. If desired, multiple layers may be formed to achieve the target thickness for the anode. Once formed, the layer(s) are subjected to a heat treatment to chemically reduce the ceramic particles and form the electrically conductive anode. Contrary to conventional press-formed anodes, the slip-formed anodes of the present invention may exhibit a small thickness, high aspect ratio (i.e., ratio of width to thickness), and uniform density, which may in turn may lead to an improved volumetric efficiency and equivalent series resistance (“ESR”).

Abstract: A working electrolyte for use in a wet electrolytic capacitor is provided. The electrolyte is relatively neutral and has a pH of from about 5.0 to about 8.0, in some embodiments from about 5.5 to about 7.5, and in some embodiments, from about 6.0 to about 7.5. Despite possessing a neutral pH level, the electrolyte is nevertheless electrically conductive. For instance, the electrolyte may have an electrical conductivity of about 10 milliSiemens per centimeter (“mS/cm”) or more, in some embodiments about 30 mS/cm or more, and in some embodiments, from about 40 mS/cm to about 100 mS/cm, determined at a temperature of 25° C.