Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous firing of green ceramic articles, such as capacitors. In accordance with the invention a mixture of articles to be fired and heat resistant particulate matter in selected proportions is caused to descend a heated tube defining a furnace. Articles and particulate material such as sand are continuously introduced at the upper end of the furnace and removed at the lower end, after a predetermined dwell time within the furnace to effect firing. Removal is effected by progressively advancing a conveyer which is in partial blocking condition of the lower end of the furnace across the lower end of said furnace whereby the mixture of sand and fired ceramic articles is removed at a selected rate which is a function of the speed of the conveyer, whereby the dwell time in the furnace is closely controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the continuous firing of green ceramic articles, such as capacitors. In accordance with the invention a mixture of articles to be fired and heat resistant particulate matter in selected proportions is caused to descend a heated tube defining a furnace. Articles and particulate material such as sand are continuously introduced at the upper end of the furnace and removed at the lower end, after a predetermined dwell time within the furnace to effect firing. Removal is effected by progressively advancing a conveyor which is in partial blocking condition of the lower end of the furnace across the lower end of said furnace whereby the mixture of sand and fired ceramic articles is removed at a selected rate which is a function of the speed of the conveyor, whereby the dwell time in the furnace is closely controlled.

Abstract: Monolithic capacitors are produced by (1) providing on a plurality of thin leaves or sheets of suitable finely divided ceramic material bonded with a thermally-fugitive temporary bond, coatings comprising thin, selected patterns of pseudo-conductive material that consists essentially of thermally-fugitive material, one or more ceramic or metal granules, and a thermally-fugitive bond; (2) forming a consolidated stack from a plurality of the coated leaves or sheets; (3) firing the resulting body to remove the thermally-fugitive materials and sinter the ceramic material into a monolithic body in which there are thin cavities or open spaces which are interrupted only by one or more distinct ceramic or metal pillars, substantially all of which, when there are a plurality, are distinct and separated; (4) introducing conductive material, preferably metal, into the resulting cavities; and (5) providing suitable electrical connections to the resulting conductive layers.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic article which comprises internal electrodes and/or conductors is formed by producing a sintered ceramic body that has areas of ceramic material extending to an outer face thereof, said areas having an open structure characterized by interconnected voids, and thereafter providing a conductor in said porous areas. The ceramic body may be formed by depositing, for example by screen printing, on sheets of a powdered dielectric or insulating ceramic material bonded with a temporary bond, an area of a temporarily bonded powdered ceramic material which on firing becomes porous, i.e. open-structured, consolidating a plurality of such sheets, and sintering them. Subsequently, electrodes or conductors may be provided in the open-structured areas by impregnating said areas with a metal or alloy and providing a termination electrode on the said outer face. If desired, an open-structured permeable barrier can be provided on said outer face before such impregnation.

Abstract: Multilayer capacitors, and/or circuit structures are formed from monolithic, sintered, ceramic matrices that have a plurality of dielectric or insulating ceramic strata or layers with intervening open-structured areas therebetween, by injecting into said areas molten metal to form internal electrodes or conductors, a penetrable barrier being provided if desired over the entrances to said areas before such injection.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic article which comprises internal electrodes and/or conductors is formed by producing a sintered ceramic body that has areas of ceramic material extending to an outer face thereof, said areas having an open structure characterized by interconnected voids, and thereafter providing a conductor in said porous areas. The ceramic body may be formed by depositing, for example by screen printing, on sheets of a powdered dielectric or insulating ceramic material bonded with a temporary bond, an area of a temporarily bonded powdered ceramic material which on firing becomes porous, i.e. open-structured, consolidating a plurality of such sheets, and sintering them. Subsequently, electrodes or conductors may be provided in the open-structured areas by impregnating said areas with a metal or alloy and providing a termination electrode on the said outer face. If desired, an open-structured permeable barrier can be provided on said outer face before such impregnation.