Electrolytic Capacitor Getter Capsule Sorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrolytic capacitors face issues with harmful substances, such as CO2, CO, H2, and H2O, being produced during operation, which can damage the capacitors, and previous solutions like sorbing materials in the electrolyte or as solid additives face compatibility issues, potentially leading to chemical reactions that affect electric conductivity or cause short-circuits.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a permeable polymeric housing within the capacitor that contains getter materials, specifically designed to absorb harmful substances while being impermeable to the electrolyte, allowing for the use of various getter materials regardless of the electrolyte type, with sheet thickness between 2-50 μm to prevent damage and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sorbing materials are mixed in the electrolyte or placed as solid additives, then harmful substances can be sorbed, but chemical compatibility issues arise that may lead to reactions affecting electric conductivity or causing short-circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmful substance sorptionVSAvoidchemical compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sorbing material is segmented into discrete capsules enclosed within a permeable polymeric housing, separating the getter material from direct contact with the electrolyte while allowing harmful substances to diffuse through the housing walls into the capsule interior for sorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The permeable polymeric housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the getter material and the electrolyte, enabling selective transport of harmful substances while preventing direct chemical interaction between incompatible materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If particulate sorbing materials are applied onto thin electrode sheets, then harmful substances can be sorbed, but the particles may damage the thin sheets causing accidental short-circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmful substance sorptionVSAvoidelectrode sheet integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sorbing material is contained within discrete capsules rather than being applied as loose particulate, preventing particle-induced damage to thin electrode sheets while maintaining sorption functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The permeable polymeric housing serves as a protective intermediary that contains the sorbing material, preventing direct mechanical contact with electrode sheets while allowing harmful substances to pass through the housing walls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively sorbs harmful substances without compromising the electrolyte's compatibility, preventing damage to the capacitor and ensuring continuous operation by isolating the getter materials from the electrolyte, thus enhancing the capacitor's reliability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a polymeric housing being permeable to said harmful substances but impermeable to the electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

containing one or more getter materials for the sorption of said harmful substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Data Source

PatentEP1974360B1Electrolytic capacitor comprising means for the sorption of harmful substances
Publication Date: 2012.03.14 SAES GETTERS SPA
  • EP1974360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1974360B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1974360B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An electrolytic capacitor is described, comprising an airtight casing, electrodes immersed in an electrolytic solution, electrical contacts connected to the electrodes and a means (10, 43) for the sorption of harmful substances comprised of a polymeric housing (11, 12), permeable to said harmful substances but impermeable to the electrolyte, containing one or more getter materials (14, 45) for the sorption of said harmful substances.