Non-toxic impregnant for electrical capacitors

#This invention relates to a dielectric liquid impregnant for electrical devices and more particularly to an electrical capacitor utilizing an improved non-toxic dielectric liquid impregnant theretofore.

#Liquid impregnants for electrical capacitors should have a high dielectric constant, maintain a low dissipation factor, and be compatible with the other materials utilized in capacitor structure. At the same time, the impregnant must withstand elevated and fluctuating temperature, pressure, and voltage stress conditions with excellent electrical characteristics for a long operative life of the capacitor.

#The polychlorinated biphenyls as capacitor impregnants meet these requirements and they were eminently satisfactory for several decades. The polychlorinated biphenyls are broadly referred to as PCBs. The polychlorinated bihpenyls have recently been associated with ecological problems, restrictive use limitations, and rising costs. These problems have spurred the search for a suitable non-toxic replacement capacitor impregnant which would have some advantageous impregnant characteristics comparable to those of the chlorinated diphenyls, and still provide outstanding electrical and compatibility performance with the two most important present day capacitor solid dielectrics, paper and polypropylene.

#FIG. 1 of the drawing illustrates a convolutely would a-c capacitor body partially unwound to show the dielectric plastic film and foil electrode structure.

#FIG. 2 of the drawing illustrates the convolutely wound a-c capacitor body of FIG. 1 to which leads are attached.

#FIG. 3 of the drawing illustrates the a-c capacitor body suitably encased and sealed in a housing.

#Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated a convolutely wound a-c capacitor body 10. The capacitor body 10 includes a pair of dielectric film layers 11 and 12 and overlying electrodes 13 and 14 respectively. Electrodes 13 and 14 are of a suitable metal such as aluminum for example. Margins 15 and 16 are provided for preventing electrical short circuit between the electrodes. As shown in FIG. 2, suitable terminal leads 23 and 24 are attached to the electrodes 13 and 14 from opposite ends 21 and 22 of the capacitor body 10. Suitable lead material could be solder coated copper for example.

#The dielectric plastic films or layers 11 and 12 should have high dielectric strength, low dissipation factor to prevent thermal runaway, broad temperature range capabilities, resistance to the dielectric fluid, and freedom from pinholes and conductive particles. Suitable dielectric film layers 11 and 12 may be paper, a paper and polymeric film combination, or polymeric films.

#In FIGS. 2 and 3, a capacitor body 10 is preferably sealed to a can or housing 40 to form a capacitor 31. Capacitor 41 includes the metal housing or can 40 and terminals 42 and 43. The capacitor body 10 is contained within the housing 40 and terminal lead 23 makes electrical contact with terminal 42 and the remaining terminal lead 24 makes electrical contact with terminal 43.