Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Strange

Thomas F. Strange 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).

  • Publication number: 20240128024
    Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes forming conduits in a porous layer of material. The porous layer of material has particles that each includes a dielectric on a core. The formation of the conduits causes a portion of the dielectric to convert from a first phase to a second phase. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the second phase of the dielectric from the porous layer of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Ralph Jason Hemphill, David R. Bowen, Thomas F. Strange, Xiaofei Jiang
  • Patent number: 11901134
    Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes forming conduits in a porous layer of material. The porous layer of material has particles that each includes a dielectric on a core. The formation of the conduits causes a portion of the dielectric to convert from a first phase to a second phase. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the second phase of the dielectric from the porous layer of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Jason Hemphill, David R. Bowen, Thomas F. Strange, Xiaofei Jiang
  • Patent number: 11830680
    Abstract: Fabricating an electrode for use in a capacitor includes cutting an electrode precursor from a sheet of material. The electrode precursor is exposed to steam so as to form a steamed electrode precursor. A capacitor is fabricated and includes an electrode generated from the steamed electrode precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bowen, Ralph Jason Hemphill, Thomas F. Strange
  • Patent number: 11712751
    Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes performing an oxide formation operation on a sheet of material. The oxide formation operation forms an anode metal oxide on an anode metal. A thermal compression is performed on the sheet of material after the oxide formation operation is performed. The thermal compression applies thermal energy to the sheet of material while applying pressure to the sheet of material. After the thermal compression, the capacitor is assembled such that at least one electrode in the capacitor includes at least a portion of the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Pacesetter. Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Erickson, Jeffrey Jon Allison, John Moore, Thomas F. Strange, David R. Bowen
  • Patent number: 11636985
    Abstract: A cathode subassembly for use in an electrolytic capacitor may include a first separator sheet including a surface having first and second regions, where the second region extends from a perimeter of the first region to a first peripheral edge of the first sheet, a second peripheral edge of a second sheet is substantially aligned with the first peripheral edge, a conductive foil is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and disposed within the first region, the first and second sheets are adhered to each other in a sealing region extending from the second region to a region of a surface of the second sheet facing the second region, and the first sheet includes at least one first recess portion at the first peripheral edge aligned with at least one second recess portion at the second peripheral edge of the second sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Bowen, Ralph Jason Hemphill, Thomas F. Strange, Troy L. McCurry, Peter Fernstrom
  • Publication number: 20220059293
    Abstract: A device includes an electrode stack including a plurality of conductive anodes, a plurality of conductive cathodes, a plurality of separators arranged between the conductive anodes and the conductive cathodes, and a dielectric material disposed on a surface of each of the conductive anodes. The stack has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. A continuous electrically insulating film overlies the edge, peripheral portions of the top surface and peripheral portions of the bottom surface so that a central portion of the top surface and a central portion of the bottom surface are exposed. An electrolyte is disposed between the conductive anodes and the conductive cathodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: J. Brian Smith, Ralph Jason Hemphill, David Bowen, Thomas F. Strange
  • Patent number: 11221373
    Abstract: Methods, devices and program products are provided for determining an early battery depletion condition for a battery powered device. The method determines a charge consumption drawn externally from a battery cell by the device for a select period of time, obtains a measured cell voltage for the battery cell of the medical device, calculates a projected cell voltage based on the charge consumption and usage conditions, and declares an early depletion condition based on a relation between the measured and projected cell voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Avi Fischer, Gene A. Bornzin, Thomas F. Strange, Xing Pei, Aditya Goil, Fady Dawoud, Kyungmoo Ryu, Joseph Beauvais, Gabriel Mouchawar, Richard Williamson
  • Patent number: 11195666
    Abstract: A device includes an electrode stack including a plurality of conductive anodes, a plurality of conductive cathodes, a plurality of separators arranged between the conductive anodes and the conductive cathodes, and a dielectric material disposed on a surface of each of the conductive anodes. The stack has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. A continuous electrically insulating film overlies the edge, peripheral portions of the top surface and peripheral portions of the bottom surface so that a central portion of the top surface and a central portion of the bottom surface are exposed. An electrolyte is disposed between the conductive anodes and the conductive cathodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Brian Smith, Ralph Jason Hemphill, David Bowen, Thomas F. Strange
  • Publication number: 20210313117
    Abstract: Fabricating an electrode for use in a capacitor includes cutting an electrode precursor from a sheet of material. The electrode precursor is exposed to steam so as to form a steamed electrode precursor. A capacitor is fabricated and includes an electrode generated from the steamed electrode precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: David Bowen, Ralph Jason Hemphill, Thomas F. Strange
  • Publication number: 20210241978
    Abstract: A cathode subassembly for use in an electrolytic capacitor may include a first separator sheet including a surface having first and second regions, where the second region extends from a perimeter of the first region to a first peripheral edge of the first sheet, a second peripheral edge of a second sheet is substantially aligned with the first peripheral edge, a conductive foil is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and disposed within the first region, the first and second sheets are adhered to each other in a sealing region extending from the second region to a region of a surface of the second sheet facing the second region, and the first sheet includes at least one first recess portion at the first peripheral edge aligned with at least one second recess portion at the second peripheral edge of the second sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: David R. Bowen, Ralph Jason Hemphill, Thomas F. Strange, Troy L. McCurry, Peter Fernstrom
  • Patent number: 11017955
    Abstract: A cathode subassembly for use in an electrolytic capacitor may include a first separator sheet including a surface having first and second regions, where the second region extends from a perimeter of the first region to a first peripheral edge of the first sheet, a second peripheral edge of a second sheet is substantially aligned with the first peripheral edge, a conductive foil is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and disposed within the first region, the first and second sheets are adhered to each other in a sealing region extending from the second region to a region of a surface of the second sheet facing the second region, and the first sheet includes at least one first recessed portion at the first peripheral edge aligned with at least one second recessed portion at the second peripheral edge of the second sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Bowen, Ralph Jason Hemphill, Thomas F. Strange, Troy L. McCurry, Peter Fernstrom
  • Publication number: 20210082628
    Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes forming conduits in a porous layer of material. The porous layer of material has particles that each includes a dielectric on a core. The formation of the conduits causes a portion of the dielectric to convert from a first phase to a second phase. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the second phase of the dielectric from the porous layer of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Ralph Jason Hemphill, David R. Bowen, Thomas F. Strange, Xiaofei Jiang
  • Patent number: 10825613
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of etching anode foil in a non-uniform manner which minimizes thermal oxidation during foil cutting. Having less oxide improves the ability to cut through aluminum anodes with lower energy rates. In aluminum foils, it has been found that a masking step before etching reduces conversion of boehmite aluminum oxide to alpha-phase corundum during laser cutting of anodes, which increases edge quality and productivity. Additionally, the non-etched anode frame allows for less surface area to form during the aging process. As a result, the leakage current is reduced by the proportion of edge to anode surface area, and the aging process will be faster, leading to higher productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Strange, Ralph Jason Hemphill, David R. Bowen, Kurt J. Erickson
  • Patent number: 10573467
    Abstract: A method of processing a metal foil to produce a cathode for an electrolytic capacitor includes printing one or more layers of conductive ink on the metal foil to form a pattern of cathode plates, each of the one or more layers being a predetermined thickness, and the pattern arranged at a distance from a cathode tab and an edge of the cathode plates. The method also includes heating the deposited one or more layers of conductive ink to evaporate a solvent within the conductive ink such that conductive particles of the conductive ink remain deposited on the metal foil. The method further includes sintering the conductive particles and cutting the cathode plates from the metal foil, thereby producing the cathode plates suitable for use in the electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Strange, David R. Bowen, Ralph Jason Hemphill
  • Publication number: 20200006012
    Abstract: A device includes an electrode stack including a plurality of conductive anodes, a plurality of conductive cathodes, a plurality of separators arranged between the conductive anodes and the conductive cathodes, and a dielectric material disposed on a surface of each of the conductive anodes. The stack has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. A continuous electrically insulating film overlies the edge, peripheral portions of the top surface and peripheral portions of the bottom surface so that a central portion of the top surface and a central portion of the bottom surface are exposed. An electrolyte is disposed between the conductive anodes and the conductive cathodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: J. Brian Smith, Ralph Jason Hemphill, David Bowen, Thomas F. Strange
  • Publication number: 20190221372
    Abstract: A cathode subassembly for use in an electrolytic capacitor may include a first separator sheet including a surface having first and second regions, where the second region extends from a perimeter of the first region to a first peripheral edge of the first sheet, a second peripheral edge of a second sheet is substantially aligned with the first peripheral edge, a conductive foil is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and disposed within the first region, the first and second sheets are adhered to each other in a sealing region extending from the second region to a region of a surface of the second sheet facing the second region, and the first sheet includes at least one first recessed portion at the first peripheral edge aligned with at least one second recessed portion at the second peripheral edge of the second sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Bowen, Ralph Jason Hemphill, Thomas F. Strange, Troy L. McCurry, Peter Fernstrom
  • Patent number: 10354805
    Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes obtaining a sheet of material having a first phase of an anode metal oxide on an anode metal. The anode metal oxide is an oxide of the anode metal. A portion of the first phase of the anode metal oxide is converted to a second phase of the anode metal oxide. At least a portion of the second phase of the anode metal oxide is removed from the sheet of material. In some instances, the first phase of the anode metal is converted to the second phase of the anode metal oxide as a result of the process used to extract a capacitor anode from the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Jason Hemphill, Kurt J. Erickson, John Moore, David R. Bowen, Thomas F. Strange
  • Patent number: 10309033
    Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of adding an etch resist to the anode foil and treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate, a halide, an oxidizing agent, a surface active agent, and a non-ionic surfactant. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Jason Hemphill, Timothy R. Marshall, Thomas F. Strange
  • Publication number: 20190108947
    Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes forming conduits in a porous layer of material. The porous layer of material has particles that each includes a dielectric on a core. The formation of the conduits causes a portion of the dielectric to convert from a first phase to a second phase. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the second phase of the dielectric from the porous layer of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Ralph Jason Hemphill, David R. Bowen, Thomas F. Strange, Xiaofei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20180372805
    Abstract: Methods, devices and program products are provided for determining an early battery depletion condition for a battery powered device. The method determines a charge consumption drawn externally from a battery cell by the device for a select period of time, obtains a measured cell voltage for the battery cell of the medical device, calculates a projected cell voltage based on the charge consumption and usage conditions, and declares an early depletion condition based on a relation between the measured and projected cell voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Avi Fischer, Gene A. Bornzin, Thomas F. Strange, Xing Pei, Aditya Goil, Fady Dawoud, Kyungmoo Ryu, Joseph Beauvais, Gabriel Mouchawar, Richard Williamson