Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a temperature probe comprises an elongated shaft having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured for insertion into a unit of food and the second portion being configured to extend outside of the unit of food. The probe further comprises at least two temperature sensors positioned at different longitudinal locations along the first portion of the shaft that are configured to measure temperatures of the unit of food at different locations within the unit of food while the unit of food is being processed thermally. The probe further comprises at least one ambient temperature sensor coupled to the shaft and configured to measure ambient temperature adjacent to the unit of food.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a temperature probe comprises an elongated shaft having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured for insertion into a unit of food and the second portion being configured to extend outside of the unit of food. The probe further comprises at least two temperature sensors positioned at different longitudinal locations along the first portion of the shaft that are configured to measure temperatures of the unit of food at different locations within the unit of food while the unit of food is being processed thermally. The probe further comprises at least one ambient temperature sensor coupled to the shaft and configured to measure ambient temperature adjacent to the unit of food.

Abstract: A data logger analyzes temperature data associated with a product passing through a conveyor oven and provides a visual indication indicating whether the product's temperature profile is within acceptable limits. Thus, an operator need not download captured temperature data to a computer in order to determine whether the oven settings produce a product profile that is within acceptable limits. In one embodiment, the data logger stores criteria for an acceptable product profile, and collects the temperature data and analyzes whether the temperature profile data is within the acceptable limits of the criteria. In another embodiment, a button and a pass/fail indicator are located externally on data logger. An operator depresses the button in order to request whether the product profile passed or failed the criteria. In response to depressing the button, the pass/fail indicator provides visual indication of whether the current oven settings produce an acceptable product profile.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed that allows simplified connection of thermocouples to a data logger. In one embodiment, multiple thermocouple connectors are positioned within the adapter. The adapter then attaches to a data logger with a simple male/female connection scheme so that the multiple thermocouple connectors are simultaneously coupled to the data logger. The thermocouple connectors are already organized within the adapter so that each thermocouple is plugged into its proper location on the data logger.

Abstract: A data logger analyzes temperature data associated with a product passing through a conveyor oven and provides a visual pass or fail indication indicating whether the product's temperature profile is within acceptable limits. Thus, an operator need not download captured temperature data to a computer in order to determine whether the oven settings produce a product profile that is within acceptable limits. In one embodiment, the data logger stores criteria for an acceptable product profile. The data logger then collects the temperature data and analyzes whether the temperature profile data is within the acceptable limits of the criteria. In another embodiment, a button and a pass/fail indicator are located on the exterior housing of the data logger. An operator depresses the button in order to request whether the product profile passed or failed the criteria for an acceptable product profile.

Abstract: Methods and devices for insulating electronic devices are disclosed. The devices include a jacket comprising an absorbing material wetted with a liquid cooling-agent. When the jacket is introduced into a heated process-environment, the liquid cooling-agent evaporates and cools the jacket. The absorbing material can comprise a heat-resistant, organic, polymeric material, such as a network of polyimide fibers.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining optimal process settings for a conveyor oven, such as a reflow oven used to reflow solder paste on a PCB assembly. According to a disclosed embodiment, an ideal temperature profile is obtained from the solder paste specifications of the solder paste to be reflowed in the oven. The ideal temperature profile of the paste includes a preheat phase, a soak phase, a reflow phase and a cooling phase. One or more profiles that fit the oven are obtained by aligning the beginning of each phase of the ideal profile with a forward end of an oven zone. The profile that best fits the oven is selected as a target profile for the reflow soldering process. The set points of the oven zones for effecting the target profile when the solder paste is conveyed through the oven are determined.

Abstract: An oven analyzer for profiling a conveyor oven is disclosed that accurately and precisely determines the physical characteristics of an oven and stores such information so that it can be outputted to a computer for analysis. In one embodiment, the oven analyzer includes a pallet that moves through the conveyor oven. The pallet houses an electronic data logger that is coupled to multiple sensors. The electronic data logger has memory for storing information obtained from the sensors. A first sensor is a temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature within the oven. A second sensor is mounted within a metal mass of known thermal characteristics and detects the ovens ability to heat an object. A third sensor detects the position of the pallet within the oven. The electronic data logger stores the data received from the sensors in the memory for selective output to a computer for analysis or printing.

Abstract: A sensor link is disclosed that simplifies connections between multiple temperature sensors positioned on a test board and a data logger that stores temperature information received from the temperature sensors while passing through the conveyor oven. In one embodiment, the sensor link includes multiple input ports for connecting to the temperature sensors. Conductors within the sensor link connect the multiple temperature sensors to an output port. In one aspect, a single cable extends between the sensor link and a data logger. The data logger stores temperature information received from the temperature sensors while the test board is passed through a conveyor oven. The sensor link can also have additional temperature sensors for providing additional temperature information about the conveyor oven. For example, an ambient temperature sensor may be positioned on the sensor link to provide the ambient temperature of the conveyor oven.

Abstract: An oven analyzer for profiling a conveyor oven is disclosed that accurately and precisely determines the physical characteristics of an oven and stores such information so that it can be outputted to a computer for analysis. In one embodiment, the oven analyzer includes a pallet that moves through the conveyor oven. The pallet houses an electronic data logger that is coupled to multiple sensors. The electronic data logger has memory for storing information obtained from the sensors. A first sensor is a temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature within the oven. A second sensor is mounted within a metal mass of known thermal characteristics and detects the ovens ability to heat an object. A third sensor detects the position of the pallet within the oven. The electronic data logger stores the data received from the sensors in the memory for selective output to a computer for analysis or printing.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring liquid from a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. In an illustrated application, a flux measuring device is described that measures flux dispensed from a flux applicator system. The flux measuring device is a test unit that simulates a printed circuit board. Once the distribution of flux is measured, different parameters in the flux applicator system can be modified to ensure that the proper distribution of flux is applied to printed circuit boards during their manufacture. In one aspect, a mesh board having substantially uniform thickness includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes that extend through the mesh board. The holes are sized so that liquid dispensed from a nozzle that contacts the bottom surface of the mesh board enters the holes and is detected on the top surface of the mesh board. A cover is mounted to the mesh board and uniformly maintains detection material in contact with the top surface of the mesh board.

Abstract: An oven analyzer for profiling a conveyor oven is disclosed that accurately and precisely determines the physical characteristics of an oven and stores such information so that it can be outputted to a computer for analysis. In one embodiment, the oven analyzer includes a pallet that moves through the conveyor oven. The pallet houses an electronic data logger that is coupled to multiple sensors. The electronic data logger has memory for storing information obtained from the sensors. A first sensor is a temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature within the oven. A second sensor is mounted within a metal mass of known thermal characteristics and detects the ovens ability to heat an object. A third sensor detects the position of the pallet within the oven. The electronic data logger stores the data received from the sensors in the memory for selective output to a computer for analysis or printing.

Abstract: This patent discloses an analyzer that can be mounted onto a wave solder machine and passed through a solder wave to determine various characteristics associated with the solder wave to assist operators with proper set up and trouble shooting. The analyzer comprises a pallet made of a thermally insulated material. The pallet supports a housing that contains a data collector having its own power supply. The pallet further supports a coupon that is made of circuit board material so that test measurements may be made simulating actual circuit board conditions as closely as possible. The pallet can accept coupons of different circuit board types such as multi-layer or double sided. The pallet further has dissimilar wire pairs embedded therein. The wire pairs have terminal portions strategically exposed along a bottom surface of the pallet located in non-contacting, but close proximity to one another.

Abstract: A standby control attachment for an x-ray film processor uses infrared light reflection to detect the presence of a film in the infeed tray of the processor. A trigger circuit produces a control signal to activate a timer when film is detected. The timer operates processor control relays to switch processor components from a normal standby mode to a processing mode only for a preset timing interval to minimize water and energy consumption and processor wear. Multiple infrared detectors, each with its own trigger circuit, are arranged above the tray and across the film path so that detection of film by one or more of the detectors activates the timer. Control signals from the separate trigger circuits are also applied to auxiliary control devices, one of which activates a darkroom interlock system to lock darkroom access doors and break its white light circuit when film is in the tray.