US5406444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coated tantalum feedthrough pin
Assignee: LATHAM DANIEL W
•
Filing: 1993-03-29
•
Granted: 1995-04-11
•
Expires: 2013-03-29
Abstract
Abstract Tantalum feedthrough conductor pins are provided with a thin, vacuum deposited metal coating to control oxidation growth during feedthrough fabrication. The coated feedthrough pins are incorporated into a feedthrough which includes a capacitive structure in electrical contact with the coated pin.
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn M. Selfried
- 👤 Susan A. Tettemer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G4/00; H01G4/35; H01B; H01B17/00; H01B17/26; H01B17/28; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/43; Y10T29/435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a method of fabricating a combination electrical feedthrough and capacitive structure wherein at least one conductive tantalum pin is included within the feedthrough construction and a portion thereof is contacted by an insulating body and a portion thereof is contacted by the capacitive structure, the improvement comprising providing a thin film protective conductive metal coating by vacuum depositing the coating on at least that portion of the tantalum pin to which the capacitive structure is to be contacted prior to contacting it with the capacitive structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a method of fabricating a combination electrical feedthrough and capacitive structure wherein at least one conductive tantalum pin is included within the feedthrough construction and a portion thereof is contacted by an insulating body and a portion thereof is contacted by the capacitive structure, the improvement comprising providing a thin film protective conductive metal coating by vacuum depositing the coating on at least that portion of the tantalum pin to which the capacitive structure is to be contacted prior to contacting it with the capacitive structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which the protective metal coating is applied to the pin by sputtering.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 in which the insulating body is glass and the pin is contacted by the glass insulating body before being coated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 in which the insulating body is glass and the entire tantalum pin is coated with the protective metal coating prior to its being contacted by the glass and the protective metal is selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium and titanium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 in which the protective metal coating is applied to the pin by sputtering.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of fabricating a combination feedthrough/capacitor comprising the steps: metallizing a tantalum pin by vacuum depositing a thin film coating selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium and titanium; inserting the pin through a metal ferrule and glassing it therein with a body of insulating glass, and contacting the pin with a capacitive structure within the ferrule.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of fabricating a combination feedthrough/capacitor comprising the steps: metallizing a tantalum pin by vacuum depositing a thin film coating selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium and titanium; inserting the pin through a metal ferrule and glassing it therein with a body of insulating glass, and contacting the pin with a capacitive structure within the ferrule.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the metallization is accomplished by sputtering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the entire pin is coated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein only that portion of the pin contacting the capacitive structure is coated.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of fabricating a combination feedthrough/capacitor comprising the steps: inserting a tantalum pin through a metal ferrule and glassing same therein with a glass insulator body; metallizing at least that portion of the pin to be contacted by a capacitive structure with a thin film protective vacuum deposited metal coating selected to protect the pin from oxidation growth, and contacting the pin with a capacitive structure within the ferrule.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of fabricating a combination feedthrough/capacitor comprising the steps: inserting a tantalum pin through a metal ferrule and glassing same therein with a glass insulator body; metallizing at least that portion of the pin to be contacted by a capacitive structure with a thin film protective vacuum deposited metal coating selected to protect the pin from oxidation growth, and contacting the pin with a capacitive structure within the ferrule.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the metal coating is sputtered onto the pin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a combination electrical feedthrough/capacitor for minimizing EMI in an electrical device, including a tantalum feedthrough pin and a capacitive structure contacting a portion of the pin within a sealed metal ferrule, the improvement comprising a protective metal coating on at least that portion of the pin contacting the capacitive structure, the metal coating being a thin film vacuum deposited coating selected from those metals which are conductive and which protect the tantalum pin from oxidation formation when exposed to high temperatures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a combination electrical feedthrough/capacitor for minimizing EMI in an electrical device, including a tantalum feedthrough pin and a capacitive structure contacting a portion of the pin within a sealed metal ferrule, the improvement comprising a protective metal coating on at least that portion of the pin contacting the capacitive structure, the metal coating being a thin film vacuum deposited coating selected from those metals which are conductive and which protect the tantalum pin from oxidation formation when exposed to high temperatures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein the metal coating is a sputtered coating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein the entire pin is coated with the protective metal coating and the feedthrough includes glass insulator means sealingly engaging a portion of the coated tantalum pin, the improvement comprising a metal coating selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium and titanium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 14 wherein the metal coating is a sputtered coating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein the seal is provided by a glass insulator body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein the entire pin is coated with the protective metal coating and the feedthrough includes brazed ceramic insulator means sealingly engaging a portion of the coated tantalum pin, the improvement comprising a metal coating selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium and titanium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 17 wherein the metal coating is a sputtered coating.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-10 | 1998-10-10 | 1999-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | 2003-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-10 | 2006-10-10 | 2007-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |