Patents by Inventor Philip Michael Lessner

Philip Michael Lessner 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: 7731893
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing valve metal anodes of electrolytic capacitors by deoxidizing the anodes using Mg vapor in a deoxidizing furnace, removing the anodes from deoxidizing furnace, placing them in sintering furnace, sintering at temperature lower than the temperature conventionally used for sintering in vacuum, and leaching of Mg oxide off the anode surface. The process limits free oxygen and improves morphology of valve metal anodes, which results in improved performance of electrolytic capacitors with these anodes. The process does not require any special equipment or maintenance operations and, thereby, is highly productive due to performing deoxidizing and sintering separately in traditional deoxidizing and sintering furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yuri Freeman, Philip Michael Lessner
  • Patent number: 7667954
    Abstract: A capacitor includes a container, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a fluid electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a metal substrate and an active material provided in contact with the metal substrate. The active material includes at least one of poly(ethylene 3,4-dioxythiophene) and a titanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignees: Medtronic, Inc., Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Brian Melody, John Tony Kinard, Joachim Hossick Schott
  • Publication number: 20080145262
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing valve metal anodes of electrolytic capacitors by deoxidizing the anodes using Mg vapor in a deoxidizing furnace, removing the anodes from deoxidizing furnace, placing them in sintering furnace, sintering at temperature lower than the temperature conventionally used for sintering in vacuum, and leaching of Mg oxide off the anode surface. The process limits free oxygen and improves morphology of valve metal anodes, which results in improved performance of electrolytic capacitors with these anodes. The process does not require any special equipment or maintenance operations and, thereby, is highly productive due to performing deoxidizing and sintering separately in traditional deoxidizing and sintering furnaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Yuri Freeman, Philip Michael Lessner
  • Publication number: 20080144257
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing valve metal anodes of electrolytic capacitors by deoxidizing the anodes using Mg vapor in a deoxidizing furnace, removing the anodes from deoxidizing furnace, placing them in sintering furnace, sintering at temperature lower than the temperature conventionally used for sintering in vacuum, and leaching of Mg oxide off the anode surface. The process limits free oxygen and improves morphology of valve metal anodes, which results in improved performance of electrolytic capacitors with these anodes. The process does not require any special equipment or maintenance operations and, thereby, is highly productive due to performing deoxidizing and sintering in traditional deoxidizing and sintering furnaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Yuri Freeman, Philip Michael Lessner
  • Patent number: 7256982
    Abstract: A capacitor is provided which includes a plurality of electrodes and a fluid electrolyte provided to electrically associate the plurality of electrodes. One of the plurality of electrodes includes poly (ethylene 3,4-dioxythiophene) or a titanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Brian Melody, John Tony Kinard, Joachim Hossick Schott
  • Patent number: 6896782
    Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolytic solutions suitable for anodizing valve metal derivative anodes, methods of anodizing using non-aqueous electrolytic solutions, and capacitors prepared with non-aqueous electrolytic solutions. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises glycerine and at least one soluble salt formed by the neutralization of at least one non-halogen-containing organic or inorganic acid anion with at least one alkali metal, ammonium, or protonated amine cation; wherein the acid anion is derived from an acid having a pKa lower than phosphoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard, David Alexander Wheeler, Philip Michael Lessner
  • Publication number: 20040240149
    Abstract: A capacitor is provided which includes a plurality of electrodes and a fluid electrolyte provided to electrically associate the plurality of electrodes. One of the plurality of electrodes includes poly (ethylene 3,4-dioxythiophene) or a titanate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Brian Melody, John Tony Kinard, Joachim Hossick Schott
  • Patent number: 6808615
    Abstract: Aluminum surface mount capacitors containing one or more anode foil coupons are initially anodized in an aqueous phosphate solution in order to produce an anodic oxide film having extreme resistance to hydration and attack by corrosive anions for the purpose of producing surface mount capacitors at high yield and of high stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard, Erik Karlsen Reed, Albert Kennedy Harrington, Daniel F. Persico, David Alexander Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6798644
    Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor with improved ESR before and after mounting on a circuit board is obtained by forming a cathode on a dielectric layer using a conductive polymer, especially an intrinsically conductive polymer. The polymer is then coated with graphetized carbon by dipping in a suspension thereof. After drying, the carbon is infused and coated at least once with a second conductive polymer layer before a conductive paint such as “dipping silver” is applied and the capacitor encapsulated by a transfer molding process. The application of a second conductive polymer layer improves the ESR by filling voids in the carbon layer and improves adhesion of the carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Piller, Philip Michael Lessner, Randolph Stephen Hahn, Carole C. Eppes, Kimberly Lynn Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20040163965
    Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolytic solutions suitable for anodizing valve metal derivative anodes, methods of anodizing using non-aqueous electrolytic solutions, and capacitors prepared with non-aqueous electrolytic solutions. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises glycerine and at least one soluble salt formed by the neutralization of at least one non-halogen-containing organic or inorganic acid anion with at least one alkali metal, ammonium, or protonated amine cation; wherein the acid anion is derived from an acid having a pKa lower than phosphoric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: KEMET ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard, David Alexander Wheeler, Philip Michael Lessner
  • Patent number: 6755959
    Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolytic solutions suitable for anodizing valve metal derivative anodes, methods of anodizing using non-aqueous electrolytic solutions, and capacitors prepared with non-aqueous electrolytic solutions. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises glycerine and at least one soluble salt formed by the neutralization of at least one non-halogen-containing organic or inorganic acid anion with at least one alkali metal, ammonium, or protonated amine cation; wherein the acid anion is derived from an acid having a pKa lower than phosphoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard, David Alexander Wheeler, Philip Michael Lessner
  • Patent number: 6744621
    Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor comprising a foil coated with a dielectric oxide film, wherein the coated foil has slit or cut edges, and the slit or cut edges have been reformed by forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte, then depolarizing the foil, and then forming the foil in an aqueous phosphate electrolyte wherein the foil is not anodized in an aqueous acid electrolyte prior to forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Albert Kennedy Harrington, Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard
  • Patent number: 6707663
    Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor comprising a foil coated with a dielectric oxide film, wherein the coated foil has slit or cut edges, and the slit or cut edges have been reformed by anodizing the foil in an aqueous oxalic acid electrolyte, then forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte, then depolarizing the foil, and then forming the foil in an aqueous phosphate electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Francis Persico, Philip Michael Lessner, Albert Kennedy Harrington, Lisa Ann Sayetta
  • Publication number: 20030224110
    Abstract: An oxidizer solution for preparing conductive polymers, the solution comprising: at least one oxidizing agent; at least one buffering agent; and at least one solvent; wherein the pH of the oxidizer solution is about 2 or greater. A process of preparing a conductive polymer layer on an anodized surface of an aluminum substrate comprising i) dipping the substrate in an oxidizer solution, ii) drying, and iii) dipping the substrate in a monomer solution and polymerizing; wherein the oxidizer solution comprises at least one oxidizing agent; at least one buffering agent; and at least one solvent, wherein the pH of the oxidizer solution is about 2 or greater. Additional buffering agent is added to the oxidizer solution during the process of preparing the conductive polymer to maintain the pH at 2 or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: KEMET ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Peter James Fernstrom, Albert Kennedy Harrington, Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard
  • Publication number: 20030164526
    Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor comprising a foil coated with a dielectric oxide film, wherein the coated foil has slit or cut edges, and the slit or cut edges have been reformed by anodizing the foil in an aqueous oxalic acid electrolyte, then forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte, then depolarizing the foil, and then forming the foil in an aqueous phosphate electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Francis Persico, Philip Michael Lessner, Lisa Ann Sayetta, Albert Kennedy Harrington
  • Publication number: 20030160290
    Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor comprising a foil coated with a dielectric oxide film, wherein the coated foil has slit or cut edges, and the slit or cut edges have been reformed by forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte, then depolarizing the foil, and then forming the foil in an aqueous phosphate electrolyte wherein the foil is not anodized in an aqueous acid electrolyte prior to forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Albert Kennedy Harrington, Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard
  • Patent number: 6605314
    Abstract: A method of preparing a capacitor having at least one porous element comprising applying to the element a masking material with an ink jet printer head. Preferably the masking material is a liquid resin such as an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone, or a polyimide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Peter Fernstrom, Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard
  • Patent number: 6562652
    Abstract: Edges of a slit and cut to length foil having a dielectric oxide film on at least one surface are edge formed by comprising anodizing the foil in an aqueous oxalic acid electrolyte, further edge a forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte, preferably dibasic ammonium citrate electrolyte, depolarizing the foil, and then edge forming the foil in an aqueous phosphate electrolyte, preferably an ammonium dihydrogen phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Francis Persico, Philip Michael Lessner, Albert Kennedy Harrington, Lisa Ann Sayetta
  • Patent number: 6548324
    Abstract: Edges of a slit and cut to length foil having a dielectric oxide film on at least one surface are edge formed by edge forming the foil in an aqueous citrate electrolyte, preferably an aqueous ammonium citrate electrolyte, depolarizing the foil, and then edge forming the foil in an aqueous phosphate electrolyte, preferably an ammonium dihydrogen phosphate electrolyte. Using this formation process, a foil with excellent hydration resistance and capacitance is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Albert Kennedy Harrington, Brian John Melody, John Tony Kinard
  • Patent number: 6540900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous anodizing of aluminum foil for use in aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Specifically, etched anode foil is anodized to relatively low voltage in a two-step reel-to-reel process. The process is particularly useful for anodizing highly-etched aluminum foil for use in surface mount aluminum capacitors containing conductive polymer cathode material. The process is economical and provides high foil quality. Specifically, the process for anodizing aluminum foil comprises anodizing the foil in a first electrolyte a solution, passing the foil through an oven, anodizing the foil in a second anodizing solution wherein the first electrolyte solution and second electrolyte solution each comprise about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % glycerine, about 0.01 wt % to about 0.2 wt % ammonium phosphate, and de-ionized water, and wherein the foil is anodized in the first electrolyte solution for at least 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: John Tony Kinard, Brian John Melody, Philip Michael Lessner, Albert Kennedy Harrington, David Alexander Wheeler, Erik Karlsen Reed, Duane Earl Stenziner