Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A multilayer electrical component comprising: a sintered, monolithic ceramic body composed of layers having cavities provided between alternating layers, said cavities being open to opposed end faces of said body in alternating fashion and also be open along their entire widths to lateral faces perpendicular to said opposed end faces, ceramic particles dispersed in said cavities serving as supporting elements between adjacent ceramic layers, said cavities having metallic filler deposits therein composed of a metallic composition which wets the ceramic body and which melts at a temperature substantially lower than the sintering temperature of said ceramic body, said filler terminating short of the marginal edges of said layers due to contraction of the metallic filler during solidification in said cavities, and non-porous electrical contacts closing off said opposed end faces and providing electrical connection between alternating filler deposits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A multilayer electrical component comprising: a sintered, monolithic ceramic body composed of layers having cavities provided between alternating layers, said cavities being open to opposed end faces of said body in alternating fashion and also be open along their entire widths to lateral faces perpendicular to said opposed end faces, ceramic particles dispersed in said cavities serving as supporting elements between adjacent ceramic layers, said cavities having metallic filler deposits therein composed of a metallic composition which wets the ceramic body and which melts at a temperature substantially lower than the sintering temperature of said ceramic body, said filler terminating short of the marginal edges of said layers due to contraction of the metallic filler during solidification in said cavities, and non-porous electrical contacts closing off said opposed end faces and providing electrical connection between alternating filler deposits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical component according to claim 1 wherein said metal filler is composed of a lead-indium alloy having at least 0.5% indium by weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical component according to claim 2 wherein said indium content is in the range from 2.5 to 20% by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrical component according to claim 1 wherein said metal filler is composed of a lead-silver-indium alloy containing at least 0.5% by weight indium and a total of up to 20% by weight of silver and indium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical component according to claim 1 wherein said metal filler is composed of a copper-indium alloy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical component according to claim 1 wherein said metal filler is composed of a silver-indium alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical component according to claim 1 wherein said contacts are composed of a metal composition consisting at least predominately of nickel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical component according to claim 1 wherein said contacts are composed of a metal composition consisting at least predominately of silver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical component according to claim 1 wherein the portions of the periphery of said component not covered by said contact are covered with an electrically insulating moisture barrier.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the manufacture of a multilayer electrical component comprising: depositing ceramic particles into continuous layers each of which has a width and length constituting a multiple of the width and length of the finished component, depositing a suspension of ceramic particles and particles which are liberated when exposed to a ceramic sintering temperature in spaced areas along said continuous layers, stacking a plurality of said continuous layers such that the suspensions on said layers substantially overlap, compressing the stack to consolidate the same, sintering the consolidated stack, applying non-porous contacts over end faces of the consolidated stack, injecting molten metal which wets the ceramic into the resulting structure while said structure and said molten metal are both under superatmospheric pressure, reducing said pressure to atmospheric pressure, and cooling the metal impregnated stack.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the manufacture of a multilayer electrical component comprising: depositing ceramic particles into continuous layers each of which has a width and length constituting a multiple of the width and length of the finished component, depositing a suspension of ceramic particles and particles which are liberated when exposed to a ceramic sintering temperature in spaced areas along said continuous layers, stacking a plurality of said continuous layers such that the suspensions on said layers substantially overlap, compressing the stack to consolidate the same, sintering the consolidated stack, applying non-porous contacts over end faces of the consolidated stack, injecting molten metal which wets the ceramic into the resulting structure while said structure and said molten metal are both under superatmospheric pressure, reducing said pressure to atmospheric pressure, and cooling the metal impregnated stack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said contacts are applied by chemical deposition, by electroplating, by printing, by dipping, by vapor-deposition, or by metal spraying.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said spaced areas consist of stripes which extend the full width of said continuous layers.