David W Goad

US Patent:

6965510, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Dec 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/010676

Inventors:

Yanming Liu - Clarence Center NY, US
David Goad - Orchard Park NY, US
Barry Muffoletto - Alden NY, US

Assignee:

Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H01G009/042
H01G009/04

US Classification:

361529, 29 2503, 361532

Abstract:

A sintering method for valve metal powders, such as tantalum, niobium, aluminum, titanium, and their alloys, is described. The valve metal powders are pressed into a pellet and sintered at a relatively high temperature, but for a relatively short time. The anodized valve metal structure is then useful as an anode in an electrolytic capacitor.

US Patent:

7286336, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

May 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/128849

Inventors:

Yanming Liu - Clarence Center NY, US
Barry Muffoletto - Alden NY, US
David Goad - Orchard Park NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H01G 9/04

US Classification:

361528, 361523, 361525, 361529, 361534, 29 2501, 29 2503

Abstract:

An oxygen plasma process for treating a dielectric oxide layer, particularly an anodic oxide, subsequent to its incorporation into an electrolytic capacitor is described. The present treatment reduces DC leakage and improves shelf life stability of the resulting capacitor in comparison to anodic oxides treated in a conventional manner. This is important for critical applications such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators where capacitor charging time and charge/discharge energy efficiency are critical.

US Patent:

7727372, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Dec 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/164751

Inventors:

Yanming Liu - Clarence Center NY, US
Neal Nesselbeck - Lockport NY, US
David Goad - Buffalo NY, US
Barry Muffoletto - Alden NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

C25D 11/00

US Classification:

205106, 205 96, 205108

Abstract:

A method for anodizing valve metal structures to a target formation voltage is described. The valve metal structures are placed in an anodizing electrolyte and connected to a power supply that generates a source voltage to at least one current limiting device. If at least two current limiting devices are used, they are in series with the valve metal structures with the one current limiting device connected to at least one structure. The valve metal structures are then subjected to a current that decreases over time, a formation voltage that increases over time to a level below the voltage from the power supply and a power level that is self-adjusted to a level that decreases excessive heating in the structure. The invention also includes the components for the method.

US Patent:

7879217, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Dec 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/565766

Inventors:

David Goad - Buffalo NY, US
Neal Nesselbeck - Lockport NY, US
Jason Hahl - Cheektowaga NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

C25D 5/08

US Classification:

205148, 205322, 205323, 204250

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for anodizing a porous valve metal pellet in a flowing liquid electrolyte is described. The apparatus comprises an insulative container comprised of a lower region, a central region including a cavity for holding the pellet, an upper region, and a continuous passageway extending through the lower, central, and upper regions. Lower and upper screens serving as lower and upper electrodes are disposed in the passageway in the lower and upper container regions, respectively. During anodizing, the electrolyte flows through the lower container region including the lower screen, the porous pellet and then the upper container region including the upper screen. The lower and upper screens are at an opposite electrical polarity as the pellet so that a dielectric oxide is formed on the exposed valve metal including interior portions of the pellet that are exposed to the flowing electrolyte.

US Patent:

8313621, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Jan 28, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/015679

Inventors:

David Goad - Buffalo NY, US
Neal Nesselbeck - Lockport NY, US
Jason Hahl - Cheektowaga NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

C25D 17/00
C25D 11/02

US Classification:

2042751, 205148, 205322

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for anodizing a porous valve metal pellet in a flowing liquid electrolyte is described. The apparatus comprises an insulative container comprised of a lower region, a central region including a cavity for holding the pellet, an upper region, and a continuous passageway extending through the lower, central, and upper regions. Lower and upper screens serving as lower and upper electrodes are disposed in the passageway in the lower and upper container regions, respectively. During anodizing, the electrolyte flows through the lower container region including the lower screen, the porous pellet and then the upper container region including the upper screen. The lower and upper screens are at an opposite electrical polarity as the pellet so that a dielectric oxide is formed on the exposed valve metal including interior portions of the pellet that are exposed to the flowing electrolyte.

US Patent:

20060191796, Aug 31, 2006

Filed:

Dec 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/164682

Inventors:

Barry Muffoletto - Alden NY, US
David Goad - Buffalo NY, US
Neal Nesselbeck - Lockport NY, US
Ashish Shah - East Amherst NY, US
Joseph Spaulding - Williamsville NY, US
Monica Kaforey - Orchard Park NY, US
Christina Scheuer - Amherst NY, US
Yanming Liu - Clarence Center NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

C25D 5/18

US Classification:

205102000

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a method for anodizing valve metal structures to a target formation voltage with a controlled power source.

US Patent:

20070221507, Sep 27, 2007

Filed:

Feb 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/677342

Inventors:

Yanming Liu - Clarence Center NY, US
David Goad - Buffalo NY, US
David Budek - Amherst NY, US
Christina Scheuer - Amherst NY, US

Assignee:

GREATBATCH LTD. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

C25D 9/00

US Classification:

205316000

Abstract:

An improved formation electrolyte and method for anodizing valve metal anodes used in electrolytic capacitors, particularly for high voltage sintered tantalum powder anode, is described. The anodizing electrolyte composition is comprised of 1) a phosphorus oxyacid and/or its salt, such as phosphoric acid and ammonium phosphate; 2) a weak inorganic acid/salt (such as boric acid, ammonium borate) or a weak carboxylic acid/salt; 3) water; and 4) a protic solvent or a mixture of two or more protic solvents. The weak mono-carboxylic acid/salt has 2 to 7 carbon atoms and the weak di- or poly-carboxylic acid/salt has 3 to 13 carbon atoms. The present electrolytes have high anodizing breakdown voltage capability and the formed dielectric oxides have improved oxide quality including good oxide hydration resistant ability, and result in more stable capacitor performance. These properties are particularly important for critical applications such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Significantly, this means that fewer capacitors are needed to meet an ICD's operating voltage.