Wound capacitor

Abstract

There is disclosed a wound capacitor which is designed to open an external circuit upon capacitor failure. This is accomplished by dividing the foil at each end of the capacitor into two regions. A lead is then connected to each region so that the completed capacitor has a total of four leads. The two leads at each end of the capacitor become a part of the external circuit. A capacitor failure thereby causes an open in the external circuit.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a wound capacitor of the type having first and second conductive plates separated by a dielectric, the first plate being exposed at one end, and the second plate being exposed at the other end, of the capacitor, the improvement which comprises: at least two leads connected to the plate exposed at each end of said capacitor, said leads being secured to the plate in spaced relationship to each other, the exposed plate at each end defining a slot between said leads. 
     
     
       2. The capacitor of claim 1 wherein each of said slots includes an insulating tape extending therethrough. 
     
     
       3. The capacitor of claim 1 wherein said slot is substantially filled with an insulating material. 
     
     
       4. In a wound capacitor of the type having first and second conductive plates separated by a dielectric, the first plate being exposed at one end, and the second plate being exposed at the other end, of the capacitor, said dielectric encircling the fully wound capacitor with its edges displaced inwardly from the exposed edges of said plates, the improvement which comprises: at least two leads connected to the plate exposed at each end of said capacitor the exposed plate at each end defining a slot between said leads having a depth substantially equal to the exposed portion of said plates. 
     
     
       5. The capacitor of claim 4 wherein each of said slots includes an insulating tape extending therethrough. 
     
     
       6. The capacitor of claim 4 wherein said slot is substantially filled with an insulating material. 
     
     
       7. In a wound capacitor of the type including first and second metallic foil strips separated by first and second dielectric strips, one of said dielectric strips encircling the fully wound capacitor but having said first foil strip exposed at one end thereof and the second foil strip exposed at the other end, the improvement which comprises: two leads connected to the foil exposed at each end of said capacitor in spaced relationship to each other; a slot between said leads defined by the foil at each end of said capacitor, and having a depth substantially equal to the exposed projection of foil; and insulating means enclosing said capacitor and substantially filling each of said slots but leaving the leads exposed. 
     
     
       8. The capacitor of claim 7 wherein each of said slots includes an insulating tape extending therethrough. 
     
     
       9. In a wound capacitor of the type having first and second conductive plates separated by a dielectric, the first plate being exposed at one end, and the second plate being exposed at the other end, of the capacitor, the improvement which comprises: at least two leads connected to the plate exposed at an end of said capacitor, said leads being secured to the plate in spaced relationship to each other, said exposed plate defining a slot between said leads. .Iadd.10. In a wound capacitor of the type having a body including first and second conductive plates separated by a dielectric, the first plate being exposed at one end, and the second plate being exposed at the other end, of the capacitor, the improvement which comprises: at least two leads connected to the plate exposed at an end of said capacitor body, said leads being secured to the plate in spaced relationship to each insulating means encapsulating said capacitor body with said leads extending therethrough other separation and means extending sustantially diametrically across the end of said capacitor body intermediate said leads and intermediate said plate and insulating means for preventing conductive material bridging said leads upon detachment of a lead from said capacitor. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. In a wound capacitor of the type having first and second conductive plates separated by a dielectric, the first plate being exposed at one end, and the second plate being exposed at the other end, of the capacitor, the improvement which comprises: at least two leads connected to the plate exposed at each end of said capacitor, said leads being secured to the plate in spaced relationship to each other, and means including an insulated tape for preventing conductive plate material bridging said leads upon detachment of a lead from said capacitor. .Iaddend.