Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a circuit board that includes a device, firmware memory, and a power controller. In some examples, the firmware memory is to store a firmware update and in response to a software-initiated command, the power controller is to reduce power to the device to cause a firmware update of the device and restore power to the device to cause execution of the firmware update. In some examples, the power controller is to reduce power solely to the device independent from power supply to at least one other device. In some examples, device configuration is saved prior to reduction of power to the device and restored to the device after power is restored to the device.

Abstract: A system may include two character figurines, each of which may be an action figure. Each character figurine may have a body with a humanoid shape. The character figurines may include a first character figurine with a wireless transmitter that transmits a wireless signal, and a second character figurine with a wireless receiver that receives the wireless signal. The second character figurine may have an action system that causes the second character figurine to undertake a visually perceptible action when the wireless signal is received. The action system may include a motor, and the visually perceptible action may include motion of the second character figurine, driven by the motor, that approximates receipt of a wound inflicted by the first character figurine.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of solid state capacitors and in particular high performance capacitors for use in modern electronic devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method by which powders of valve-action material may be modified to make them suitable for use in the formation of capacitor anodes for solid state electrolytic capacitors. According to the present invention there is provided a method of modifying raw valve-action material powder into capacitor grade structured powder comprising: (i) providing a raw powder to be converted; (ii) compressing a portion of the powder to form a porous solid mass of powder (iii) heating the solid mass to a pre-determined sintering temperature and maintaining the temperature for a pre-determined time period to form a sintered body, (iv) pulverising the sintered body to form a processed powder and (v) optionally grading the powder particles within pre-determined size ranges so as to collect capacitor grade powder.

Abstract: A niobium powder is described which when formed into an electrolytic capacitor anode, the anode has the capacitance of at least 62,000 CV/g. Methods of making flaked niobium powder which have high capacitance capability when formed into electrolytic capacitor anodes is also described. Besides niobium, the present invention is also applicable to other metals, including valve metals.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of solid state capacitors and in particular high performance capacitors for use in modern electronic devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method by which powders of valve-action material may be modified to make them suitable for use in the formation of capacitor anodes for solid state electrolytic capacitors. According to the present invention there is provided a method of modifying raw valve-action material powder into capacitor grade structured powder comprising: (i) providing a raw powder to be converted; (ii) compressing a portion of the powder to form a porous solid mass of powder (iii) heating the solid mass to a pre-determined sintering temperature and maintaining the temperature for a pre-determined time period to form a sintered body, (iv) pulverising the sintered body to form a processed powder and (v) optionally grading the powder particles within pre-determined size ranges so as to collect capacitor grade powder.

Abstract: Surface mount electrolytic capacitors are provided with anode and cathode terminations having respective first termination portions provided on the bottom surface of a molded package in a generally coplanar configuration. A second cathode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first cathode termination portion and may then be adhered to the external cathode layer of a capacitor body. A second anode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first anode termination portion and may then be welded to an anode wire connected to and extending from the capacitor body. An insulation pad may be provided between the first anode termination portion and the capacitor body to prevent device shorting. A planar termination frame may be provided to form the electrolytic capacitors of the present subject matter.

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: Methods to at least partially reduce a niobium oxide are described wherein the process includes heat treating the niobium oxide in the presence of a getter material and in an atmosphere which permits the transfer of oxygen atoms from the niobium oxide to the getter material, and for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to form an oxygen reduced niobium oxide. Niobium oxides and/or suboxides are also described as well as capacitors containing anodes made from the niobium oxides and suboxides.

Abstract: Surface mount electrolytic capacitors are provided with anode and cathode terminations having respective first termination portions provided on the bottom surface of a molded package in a generally coplanar configuration. A second cathode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first cathode termination portion and may then be adhered to the external cathode layer of a capacitor body. A second anode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first anode termination portion and may then be welded to an anode wire connected to and extending from the capacitor body. An insulation pad may be provided between the first anode termination portion and the capacitor body to prevent device shorting. A planar termination frame may be provided to form the electrolytic capacitors of the present subject matter.

Abstract: Surface mount electrolytic capacitors are provided with anode and cathode terminations having respective first termination portions provided on the bottom surface of a molded package in a generally coplanar configuration. A second cathode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first cathode termination portion and may then be adhered to the external cathode layer of a capacitor body. A second anode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first anode termination portion and may then be welded to an anode wire connected to and extending from the capacitor body. An insulation pad may be provided between the first anode termination portion and the capacitor body to prevent device shorting. A planar termination frame may be provided to form the electrolytic capacitors of the present subject matter.

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 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 capacitor anode that is formed from flake powder is provided. The anodes are formed from low density flake powder (e.g., relatively large in size), which is believed to provide a short transmission line between the outer surface and interior of the anode. This may result in a low equivalent series resistance (“ESR”) and improved volumetric efficiency for capacitors made from such anodes.

Abstract: Methods to at least partially reduce valve metal oxides are described wherein the process includes heat treating the valve metal oxide in the presence of a getter material, in an atmosphere which permits the transfer of oxygen atoms from the starting valve metal oxide to the getter material, and for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to form an oxygen reduced valve metal oxide. Valve metal oxides and/or suboxides thereof are also described as well as capacitors containing anodes made from the valve metal oxides and suboxides thereof.

Abstract: The present technology relates to fused capacitor structures provided with a leadframe design configured to accepting a plurality of selectively placed fuses. The leadframe and fuse configuration enables construction of fused capacitors exhibiting low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) and allows construction of a variety of fuse configuration using a single leadframe design.

Abstract: Methods of forming niobium powders and other metal powders are described. The method involves milling the metal powders at elevated temperatures and in the presence of at least one liquid solvent. The methods of the present invention have the ability to reduce DC leakage and/or increase capacitance capabilities of metal powders when formed into capacitor anodes. The present invention further has the ability to significantly reduce the milling time necessary to form high surface area metal powders and leads to reducing the amount of contaminants in the metal powders. Metal powders such as niobium powders having reduced amount of contaminants and/or having DC leakage or capacitance capabilities are also described. A process is further described for forming a flaked metal by wet-milling a metal powder into a flaked metal wherein at least one liquid fluorinated fluid is present during the wet-milling process.

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 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 nitrogen containing niobium powder is disclosed as well as electrolytic capacitors formed from the niobium powders. Methods to reduce DC leakage in a niobium anode are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surface mount electrolytic capacitors are provided with anode and cathode terminations having respective first termination portions provided on the bottom surface of a molded package in a generally coplanar configuration. A second cathode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first cathode termination portion and may then be adhered to the external cathode layer of a capacitor body. A second anode termination portion is bent in a generally perpendicular fashion to the first anode termination portion and may then be welded to an anode wire connected to and extending from the capacitor body. An insulation pad may be provided between the first anode termination portion and the capacitor body to prevent device shorting. A planar termination frame may be provided to form the electrolytic capacitors of the present subject matter.