High voltage capacitors

Abstract

A multilayer ceramic capacitor component includes a ceramic capacitor body having opposite ends and comprised of a plurality of electrode layers and dielectric layers, first and second external terminals attached to the ceramic capacitor body. The plurality of electrode layers include a plurality of alternating layers of active electrodes extending inwardly from alternating ends of the ceramic capacitor body. The capacitor may include a plurality of side shields disposed within the plurality of alternating layers of active electrodes to provide shielding with the alternating layers of active electrodes having a pattern to increase overlap area to provide higher capacitance without decreasing separation between the alternative layers of active electrodes. The capacitor may have a voltage breakdown of 3500 volts DC or more in air. The capacitor may have a coating. The capacitor provides improved resistance to arc-over, high voltage breakdown in air, and allows for small case size.

1 . A multilayer capacitor component comprising:
 a body;   a plurality of internal active electrodes within the body;   a plurality of internal electrode side shields within the body;   each of the internal active electrodes positioned between a pair of corresponding internal electrode side shields and separated from the pair of corresponding internal electrode side shields by a gap;   wherein each of the internal active electrodes have a first portion with a first width proximate the internal electrode side shields and a second portion with a second width greater than the first width.   
     
     
         2 . The multilayer capacitor component of  claim 1  wherein each of the internal active electrodes further have an upward extending protrusion and an opposite downward extending protrusion positioned adjacent the second portion. 
     
     
         3 . The multilayer capacitor component of  claim 1  further comprising a top internal electrode shield and an opposite bottom internal electrode wherein the top internal electrode shield and the bottom internal electrodes shield are on opposite sides of the plurality of internal electrodes. 
     
     
         4 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A multilayer capacitor component for providing improved high voltage characteristics, comprising:
 a body having opposite ends and comprised of a plurality of electrode layers and dielectric layers;   first, and second external terminals attached to the body;   wherein the plurality of electrode layers comprise a plurality of alternating layers of active electrodes extending inwardly from alternating ends of the body;   a plurality of side shields disposed within the plurality of alternating layers of active electrodes to provide shielding, each electrode associated with a pair of side shields; and   wherein each electrode includes at least one upwardly extending protrusion and at least one downwardly extending protrusion providing for a pattern to increase in electrode overlap area.   
     
     
         14 . The multilayer capacitor component of  claim 13  wherein each electrode has a reduced thickness proximate corresponding side shields. 
     
     
         15 .- 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A method of manufacturing a multilayer capacitor component, comprising:
 forming a body comprising   a plurality of internal active electrodes within the body;   forming a plurality of internal electrode side shields within the body   wherein each of the internal active electrodes is positioned at least partially between a pair of corresponding internal electrode side shields and separated from the corresponding internal electrode side shields by a gap and wherein each of the internal active electrodes includes a first portion with a first width proximate the internal electrode side shields and a second portion with a second width greater than the first width.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein each of the internal active electrodes further comprises an upward extending protrusion and an opposite downward extending protrusion positioned adjacent the second portion. 
     
     
         47 .- 49 . (canceled)