IP Library Granted Patent US 7,027,290
Granted Patent B1
US 7,027,290 · App. 10/934,895 · Granted Apr 11, 2006

Capacitor heat reduction apparatus and method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,027,290
App. No.
10/934,895
Granted
Apr 11, 2006
Kind
B1
Abstract

High capacitance capacitors are provided to supply or accept large currents. As current flow through a capacitor increases, heat may be generated. Above a certain threshold temperature or current, a capacitor may fail. The present invention addresses capacitor's tendency to fail at higher currents and/or higher temperatures.

Claims (37)

1. A system, comprising:

one or more interconnection, the at least one interconnection comprising at least one increased surface area portion; and

at least one capacitor, the at least one capacitor electrically coupled to the one or more interconnection, wherein the one or more interconnection lowers a temperature of the at least one capacitor, a first of the one or more interconnection being coupled to a negative terminal of a first capacitor and a positive terminal of a second capacitor, a second of the one or more interconnection being coupled to a positive terminal of the first capacitor, a negative terminal of the second capacitor, and the first interconnection, the second of the one or more interconnection comprising a capacitor balancing circuit.

2. A system comprising:

one or more interconnection, the at least one or more interconnection comprising at least one increased surface area portion;

at least one capacitor, the at least one capacitor being electrically coupled to the one or more interconnection, wherein the one or more interconnection lowers a temperature of the at least one capacitor; and

a source of external heat removal that comprises a fluid, and wherein the at least one capacitor is immersed in the fluid.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the fluid is disposed in a sealed container.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the fluid comprises an oil.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the fluid comprises an alcohol.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the fluid comprises a colored fluid.

7. A method of using a plurality of capacitors, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of double-layer capacitors;

connecting the plurality of double-layer capacitors by one or more increased surface area interconnection;

passing a current through the plurality of double-layer capacitors; and

decreasing a temperature of the plurality of double-layer capacitors using the one or more increased surface area interconnection, the one or more increased surface area interconnection comprising a balancing circuit.

8. A method of using a plurality of capacitors, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of double-layer capacitors;

connecting the plurality of double-layer capacitors by one or more increased surface area interconnection;

passing a current through the plurality of double-layer capacitors;

decreasing a temperature of the plurality of double-layer capacitors using the one or more increased surface area interconnection;

passing a source of external heat removal over the plurality of double layer capacitors, the external heat removal comprising a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises an oil.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein

the plurality of double-layer capacitors being coupled to a propulsion engine.

10. A method of using a plurality of capacitors, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of double-layer capacitors;

connecting the plurality of double-layer capacitors by one or more increased surface area interconnection;

passing a current through the plurality of double-layer capacitors;

decreasing a temperature of the plurality of double-layer capacitors using the one or more increased surface area interconnection;

passing a source of external heat removal over the plurality of double layer capacitors, the external heat removal comprising a fluid, wherein the fluid is colored.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the fluid is blue.

12. A method of using a plurality of capacitors, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of double-layer capacitors;

connecting the plurality of double-layer capacitors by one or more increased surface area interconnection;

passing a current through the plurality of double-layer capacitors;

decreasing a temperature of the plurality of double-layer capacitors using the one or more increased surface area interconnection;

passing a source of external heat removal over the plurality of double layer capacitors, the external heat removal comprising a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a fragrance.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2025
From: BHAGATAVULA, ANAND
To: UCAP POWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 073428/0461 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2025
From: BHAGATAVULA, ANAND
To: UCAP POWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 073369/0254 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2024
From: UCAP POWER, INC.
To: BHAGATAVULA, ANAND
Reel/Frame 068762/0463 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2024
From: UCAP POWER, INC.
To: ORRIS, JOHN
Reel/Frame 067736/0296 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2021
From: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: UCAP POWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 057830/0647 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2019
From: EAST WEST BANK
To: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 051441/0005 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2019
From: EAST WEST BANK
To: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 049216/0304 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2015
From: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: EAST WEST BANK
Reel/Frame 036064/0636 →