Using Pumped Stream Or Jet Patents (Class 228/260)
  • Patent number: 6588919
    Abstract: A pedestalled LED 10 including a light emitting diode element 12 and a tower element 14 for use on the wave soldered side of a circuit board 16. The light emitting diode element 12 and the tower element 14 are capable of withstanding exposure to wave solder 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Lee Jones
  • Patent number: 6588645
    Abstract: A solder jet apparatus is disclosed. The solder jet apparatus is a continuous mode solder jet that includes a blanking system and raster scan system. The use of the raster scan and blanking systems allows for a continuous stream of solder to be placed anywhere on the surface in any desired X-Y plane. This allows for greater accuracy as well as greater product throughput. Additionally, with the raster scan system, repairs to existing soldered surfaces can be quickly and easily performed using a map of the defects for directing the solder to the defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 6585151
    Abstract: A method for producing microporous objects with fiber, wire or foil core with periodic welding of nodes by movement of the substrate and the making of a porous mat. Microporous objects are created by deposition of small dimension of solid from liquid streams undergoing solidification with the simultaneous welding of the streams at various nodal locations concurrently during the deposition process. Bulk porous material objects are created containing open spaces within the microstructure. Inserts can be added to create internal geometries. Variations in pore density from near-zero to about 95% with gradient densities can be created. Screens can be used for forming column-like supports within the microporous object. Holes can be punched in the fiber core to create desired properties of denser regions and to limit the thermal expansion of the mat in a single direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventor: Amit K. Ghosh
  • Patent number: 6585149
    Abstract: A packaging method using lead-free solder, characterized by including a reflow-soldering step in which a surface mount device is soldered to a circuit board with a lead-free solder paste; an inserting step in which the lead or terminal of a insertion mount device is inserted into the circuit board; a step in which a warp preventing jig is attached to the circuit board; a flux applying step in which flux is applied to the foregoing circuit board; a preheating step in which, after applying flux, the lower surface of the circuit board is preheated; a flow-soldering step in which the upper surface of the circuit board the lower surface of which was preheated in the preheating step is heated, and by applying lead-free solder paste to the lower surface of the circuit board, the lead or terminal of the insertion mount device is flow-soldered to the circuit board; and a temperature controlling step where temperatures of both surfaces of a circuit board are adjusted, the upper surface of the circuit board is cooled or
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakatsuka, Masahide Okamoto, Tomoyuki Ohmura
  • Publication number: 20030116607
    Abstract: An adjustable nozzle of a stannic furnace comprises a nozzle tank which is mounted at the upper portion of a stannic tank of the stannic furnace, a front backflow stopper and a rear backflow stopper which are respectively mounted at the forward area and the backward area inside the nozzle tank to form an opening of the nozzle such that a liquid tin within the stannic tank passes through the nozzle tank and produces a tin wave at the opening of the nozzle. The feature of the adjustable nozzle lies in that the rear backflow stopper is mounted at the backward area inside the nozzle tank by means of a rear combining means which adjusts the altitude of the rear backflow stopper with an altitudinal opening and fixes the rear backflow stopper by a fixing means so as to control the waveform of the tin wave produced by the nozzle of the stannic furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Po-Hung Wang, Chun-Hsiung Chiu, Peng-Wei Wang, Jung-I Ku, Chia-Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 6575355
    Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Ramarge, David P. Bailey, Thomas C. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6575349
    Abstract: A HVOF process is used for applying brazing materials to repair surfaces of a substrate such as a turbine blade. The brazing material is applied in powdered form and is free of binders and adhesives. The brazing materials may be any one or more of a nickel based, cobalt based or ferrous based high temperature brazing material. Alloys of these elements may be used together with a temperature depressing melting point element such as boron or silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Hickham Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Van Esch
  • Publication number: 20030057265
    Abstract: A method of wave soldering a circuit board while avoiding reflow of a solder joint on the topside of the board from heat conducted from the solder wave through at least one via in the board in heat conducting relation with the topside solder joint, comprises subjecting the circuit board to a solder wave and absorbing heat being conducted from the solder wave through the at least one via with an endothermic material in the via hole which undergoes a heat absorbing reaction. The heat absorbing reaction of the endothermic material is preferably a phase change, such as melting. The melted endothermic material is retained in the via hole during wave soldering by capillary forces and a cap on the lower end of the via hole. A disclosed method of making the circuit board includes locating the endothermic material in the via hole by inserting a preform of the endothermic material into the via hole or hot dispensing the endothermic material into the via hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Raiyomand F. Aspandiar, Tom E. Pearson, Christopher Combs
  • Publication number: 20030034381
    Abstract: This invention relates to a packaging method using lead-free solder, characterized by including a reflow-soldering step in which a surface mount device is soldered to a circuit board with a lead-free solder paste; an inserting step in which the lead or terminal of a insertion mount device is inserted into the circuit board; a step in which a warp preventing jig is attached to the circuit board; a flux applying step in which flux is applied to the foregoing circuit board; a preheating step in which, after applying flux, the lower surface of the circuit board is preheated; a flow-soldering step in which the upper surface of the circuit board the lower surface of which was preheated in the preheating step is heated, and by applying lead-free solder paste to the lower surface of the circuit board, the lead or terminal of the insertion mount device is flow-soldered to the circuit board; and a temperature controlling step where temperatures of both surfaces of a circuit board are adjusted, the upper surface of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakatsuka, Masahide Okamoto, Tomoyuki Ohmura
  • Patent number: 6520402
    Abstract: Ultra-small satellite droplets of molten metal, generated from capillary stream break-up, are selectively directed to predetermined locations on a substrate. The satellite droplets are produced at a high rate and are highly uniform because of the nature of capillary stream break-up. Applied harmonic disturbances are used to control and generate the satellite and parent droplets. The satellite droplets are electrostatically charged on a droplet-by-droplet basis and are then deflected by, e.g., an electric field to predetermined locations on a substrate. The substrate is moveable, attached to an x-y table, for facilitating the placement of satellite droplets on the substrate. The satellite droplets can be placed in individual locations on the substrate (e.g., for forming a ball grid array) or can be overlapped to form conductive traces. Because the satellite droplets have small diameters, these traces may have correspondingly small widths or pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Melissa Orme-Marmerelis, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 6513702
    Abstract: An automatic wave soldering apparatus includes a solder reservoir for holding a supply of molten solder and a solder nozzle vertically disposed in the solder reservoir to establish a solder wave through which a printed circuit board is moved. A pair of trapezoidal elements are secured within the nozzle. A Y-shaped baffle is disposed between the trapezoidal elements to form upwardly inclined narrowed upstream and downstream outlets. The upstream and downstream outlets are inclined at an acute angle against and in the direction of movement of the printed circuit board, respectively. A pair of valves are disposed at opposite sides of the baffle to selectively open and close the outlets. The bottom side of each of the trapezoidal elements forms a step to promote turbulence in the solder wave. The trapezoidal elements and the baffle collectively serve to increase the flow velocity of the molten solder through the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Mawatari
  • Patent number: 6510978
    Abstract: To provide a solder jet machine with which a molten solder wave with stable height can be obtained. A satisfactory and stable molten solder wave is obtained by forming wall portions surrounding solder ejecting ports, which are arranged in a first, a second and a third ejecting-port rows on a solder wave forming plate, in such a manner that they are allowed to project upwardly, in addition, by forming groove portions, which are for introducing the ejected solder in such a direction as to be allowed to flow down, around the above-described solder ejecting ports, so that the molten solder ejected from the solder ejecting ports in the third row and the second row can flow down rapidly between adjacent solder ejecting ports in the first row without disturbing any wave of the molten solder ejected from the first row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuo Koshi, Kenichirou Todoroki, Tadahiko Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 6499650
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering solder from dross present on the surface of a molten solder includes a solder reservoir for holding a pool of molten solder, and a solder nozzle disposed in the solder reservoir and adapted to direct a solder wave against a printed circuit board to be soldered. The solder nozzle includes opposite side troughs inclined downwardly toward one side of the solder reservoir to direct dross toward a dross zone. A semicircular hood extends across the solder reservoir and is located above the dross zone. A screw extends across the solder reservoir and is covered by the hood. The screw is activated to agitate the dross so as to remove oxides and recover solder from the dross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takano, Hirokazu Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20020170947
    Abstract: A method for soldering parts mounted on a print circuit baseboard with Pb-free material. A reflow soldering process is performed to parts mounted on one side surface of the print circuit baseboard. A flow soldering process is then performed to parts mounted on the other side surface of the print circuit baseboard with a jet flow solder process. Either a composition or a melting point of alloys generated when the reflow and flow soldering are performed is differentiated so that the alloy on one side surface does not melt during a flow soldering process to the other side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Minoru Igarashi, Katsuhiko Mukai, Masashi Isoda, Takayuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6478215
    Abstract: A wave soldering apparatus includes a solder reservoir adapted to contain molten solder, and a solder nozzle disposed in the solder reservoir and extending up above the molten solder. The nozzle provides a substantially turbulent free solder wave under a printed circuit board while the board is moved in a predetermined path. A tray is pivotably mounted to the nozzle and angularly moved to vary the flow rate of the molten solder. A shroud is mounted adjacent to and associated with the tray to define a contained space into which an inert gas is supplied to provide an inert gas atmosphere. The shroud includes a canopy extending over a portion of the tray. The canopy extends substantially parallel to the predetermined path and is adjustably positioned in response to angular position of the tray to ensure that the board exits from the solder wave within the inert gas atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Zen
  • Patent number: 6474537
    Abstract: Members to be soldered, such as printed circuit boards having electronic parts mounted thereon, are subjected to flow soldering in a solder bath with a Cu-containing lead-free solder. When the molten solder in the solder bath falls below a prescribed level, the molten solder is replenished with a material having a lower Cu content than the initial composition of the solder bath. Flow soldering can be continued for long periods with the Cu content of the solder bath being maintained substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Hasegawa, Eietsu Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20020145030
    Abstract: A solder jet apparatus is disclosed. The solder jet apparatus is a continuous mode solder jet that includes a blanking system and raster scan system. The use of the raster scan and blanking systems allows for a continuous stream of solder to be placed anywhere on the surface in any desired X-Y plane. This allows for greater accuracy as well as greater product throughput. Additionally, with the raster scan system, repairs to existing soldered surfaces can be quickly and easily performed using a map of the defects for directing the solder to the defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 6443350
    Abstract: A solder jet apparatus is disclosed. The solder jet apparatus is a continuous mode solder jet that includes a blanking system and raster scan system. The use of the raster scan and blanking systems allows for a continuous stream of solder to be placed anywhere on the surface in any desired X-Y plane. This allows for greater accuracy as well as greater product throughput. Additionally, with the raster scan system, repairs to existing soldered surfaces can be quickly and easily performed using a map of the defects for directing the solder to the defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 6435396
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a disposable print head for ejecting controlled amounts of liquid (e.g., solder) at a high rate onto the surface (e.g., an integrated circuit) in close proximity to the ejecting source. The embodiment involves the use of a controlled burst of gas that is developed by rapidly heating a metallic hydride film with a laser to disassociate the hydrogen therefrom. The pressure created by the burst of hydrogen gas is used to eject an amount of a liquid (e.g., a solder) from an appropriate conduit that is fed liquid from a reservoir. The surfaces in the print head that contact the liquid are coated to assist in priming the print head for a subsequent ejection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome M. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 6431431
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in wave soldering applications can include an adjustable wing device, a front gate and/or a mounted member. Each of these components are easily adjustable, thereby improving the quality of the soldered product and allowing for improved process efficiency and decreased downtime of the wave soldering equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Willis, Greg Hueste
  • Patent number: 6427898
    Abstract: A bump forming apparatus comprises a container for retaining therein a solder melt, a solder forming member having a side wall portion and a ceiling portion which form, above a substrate's flat surface, a chamber for receiving therein the solder melt. The solder forming member also includes a height regulator portion provided on an exterior of the side wall portion and having a flat surface for restricting the height of the solder melt during formation. Heating means for heating the solder melt may also be provided. A hole in the solder forming portion allows solder melt to flow from the container to the chamber. Pressurizing means for pressurizing the solder melt in the container to thus expedite passage of solder melt into the chamber of the forming member may be used. Depressurization means for reducing the inside pressure of the container to cause the unused metal to return from the chamber into the container may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yohji Maeda, Yutaka Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20020096556
    Abstract: A method of soldering a circuit board comprises moving a circuit board through various stations including a preheater station and a solder station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Lee Hildenbrand, Nikolaos Thomas Kostopoulos, Ernie Gipson, Matthew T. Rosemeyer, Frank W. Cleary, Michael Joseph Gosmeyer, Timothy Kieffer, Ronald A. Poggeman
  • Publication number: 20020079353
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining heat at a pin-in-hole rework site on a printed circuit board during solder fountain rework of the board. A preheated heat retention plate is attached to the rework side of the printed circuit board. The heat retention plate covers a substantial portion of the board surface. During rework of the printed circuit board, the heat retention plate minimizes the temperature gradient between the rework site of the printed circuit board and the remainder of the printed circuit board. During the rework, the heat retention plate can be heated by an active heater in order to maintain a constant temperature gradient between the rework site of the board and the remainder of the board. By minimizing the escape of heat from the rework site, the number of solder cycles required to rework the board is decreased, resulting in reduced board rework times and increased board longevity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Scott Peter Graves, Phillip Duane Isaacs
  • Patent number: 6398104
    Abstract: Provided is a method of operating an apparatus for inerting a wave soldering installation having a solder bath and a conveying system for producing one or more solder waves comprising an immersion box which is closed on all sides, shaped like a frame, can be immersed in the solder bath and which has porous pipes to distribute nitrogen, the pipes being arranged inside the immersion box in housings being designed such that the porous pipes are arranged therein in such a way that the porous pipes essentially cannot be struck by solder splashes produced during the operation of the wave soldering installation. The method includes supplying the inert gas at a temperature far below the temperature of the solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Fernand Heine
  • Patent number: 6378753
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas distribution system which can be connected to a gas supply, the purpose of said gas distribution system being to admit and distribute a non-oxidizing gas in a shroud (17, 20, 21, 23) covering at least one solder container (22). Printed circuit modules (12) are transported through said shroud and while they are being transported, are brought into contact with a wave of solder (24). The gas distribution system has at least one gas distributor situated above and at least one gas distributor (19, 31) situated below the printed circuit modules (12) in order to produce a protective gas atmosphere with low residual oxygen values. Both gas distributors are provided with flow elements (48, 49, 51 to 56, 59; 35, 37, 44, 45). Said flow elements produce a displacement gas blanket which is distributed homogeneously over the discharge surfaces (59, 44, 45) directed towards the solder container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Schellen, Jens Tauchmann
  • Publication number: 20020047039
    Abstract: An automatic wave soldering apparatus includes a solder reservoir for holding a supply of molten solder and a solder nozzle vertically disposed in the solder reservoir to establish a solder wave through which a printed circuit board is moved. A pair of trapezoidal elements are secured within the nozzle. A Y-shaped baffle is disposed between the trapezoidal elements to form upwardly inclined narrowed upstream and downstream outlets. The upstream and downstream outlets are inclined at an acute angle against and in the direction of movement of the printed circuit board, respectively. A pair of valves are disposed at opposite sides of the baffle to selectively open and close the outlets. The bottom side of the trapezoidal elements forms a step to promote turbulence in the solder wave. The trapezoidal elements and the baffle collectively serve to increase the flow velocity of the molten solder through the outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Shohei Mawatari
  • Publication number: 20020038815
    Abstract: There is provided a flow soldering process for mounting an electronic component onto a board by means of a lead-free solder material, wherein the molten solder material is supplied and attached to a predetermined portion of the board in a solder material supplying zone, and thereafter the board is cooled by a cooling unit in a cooling zone such that the solder material adhering to the board is rapidly cooled to solidify.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaguchi, Masato Hirano, Yoshinori Sakai
  • Publication number: 20020036223
    Abstract: Soldering apparatus designed to apply soldering, by means of jetting out streams of molten solder, which is gathered in a solder bath, to a piece to be soldered carried in a predetermined direction. While jetting out molten solder from the solder bath, a drive means in the apparatus supplies drive for setting the relative position between the end of the jet-stream nozzle and the piece and a control means also available outputs control signals matching a predetermined condition to the drive means to carry out micro-adjustment of the jet-stream nozzle in short time with high accuracy. At the same time, remote operation can also be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: Takashi Saito
  • Publication number: 20020027157
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering solder from dross present on the surface of a molten solder where it is exposed to atmospheric air. The apparatus includes a solder reservoir for holding a pool of molten solder, and a solder nozzle disposed in the solder reservoir and adapted to direct a solder wave against a printed circuit board to be soldered. The solder nozzle includes opposite side troughs inclined downwardly toward one side of the solder reservoir to direct dross toward a dross zone. A semicircular hood extends across the solder reservoir and located above the dross zone. A screw extends across the solder reservoir and covered by the hood. The screw is activated to agitate the dross so as to remove oxides and recover solder from the dross.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takano, Hirokazu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6352190
    Abstract: A soldering apparatus has a solder container and a casing to accommodate a protective-gas atmosphere for soldering printed circuit boards. During transport of the circuit boards through a casing the circuit boards are brought into contact with a solder wave in the container. The casing has an inlet for printed circuit board on an inlet side and an outlet on its outlet side. In addition, the casing has a supply of non-oxidizing gas and an arrangement for admitting gas into the casing. The casing is designed as a modular construction kit having subassemblies and/or constructional elements which comprise an input tunnel, an entry tunnel, at least two covering elements, an outlet tunnel and a detachable connection on the solder container and/or the sub-assemblies and/or constructional elements to connect the sub-assemblies and/or constructional elements and the solder container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Olaf Lucht, Tilman Schwinn, Hans-Peter Schmidt, Jens Tauchmann
  • Publication number: 20020014513
    Abstract: A soldering apparatus is adapted for making solder connections to through-hole technology components on substantially surface mount technology printed circuit boards. Lifter assemblies raise and lower solder pump assemblies. Solder pump assemblies in turn each support a nozzle support assembly. Each nozzle support assembly in turn supports either a nozzle assembly or a wave nozzle assembly. In operation, a nozzle assembly having a solder discharge configuration indicated by, and compatible with, the pin configuration of the component to be soldered is raised by the appropriate lifter assembly. Where no nozzle assembly is appropriate for the configuration of the component to be soldered, a wave nozzle assembly is raised, and the PCB moved into position adjacent to the wave nozzle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Jess J. Baker, Alan J. Cable
  • Publication number: 20020011511
    Abstract: An automated soldering apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting a printed circuit board along a predetermined path, a fluxer located below the conveyor for coating the circuit board and the electronic components with flux, and a preheater located downstream of the fluxer for heating the circuit board and the electronic components to a predetermined temperature. A molten solder bath is provided downstream of the preheater for applying a molten solder to selected areas of the circuit board. A cooling assembly is arranged downstream of and adjacent to the molten solder bath. The cooling assembly is operable to cool the applied molten solder at a rate of approximately as high as 1.0° C. per second until the molten solder reaches its solidus temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Kazushi Takahashi, Hiroshi Ohuchi
  • Publication number: 20010054641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for wave soldering or tinning comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Marc Leturmy
  • Publication number: 20010048017
    Abstract: A solder jet apparatus is disclosed The solder jet apparatus is a continuous mode solder jet that includes a blanking system and raster scan system. The use of the raster scan and blanking systems allows for a continuous stream of solder to be placed anywhere on the surface in any desired X-Y plane. This allows for greater accuracy as well as greater product throughput. Additionally, with the raster scan system, repairs to existing soldered surfaces can be quickly and easily performed using a map of the defects for directing the solder to the defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 6325271
    Abstract: A solder jet apparatus is disclosed. The solder jet apparatus is a continuous mode solder jet that includes a blanking system and raster scan system. The use of the raster scan and blanking systems allows for a continuous stream of solder to be placed anywhere on the surface in any desired X-Y plane. This allows for greater accuracy as well as greater product throughput. Additionally, with the raster scan system, repairs to existing soldered surfaces can be quickly and easily performed using a map of the defects for directing the solder to the defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren M. Farnworth
  • Publication number: 20010042775
    Abstract: A soldering flux includes a non-acidic resin in an aqueous composition. The flux can also include an activating agent and a surface-active agent that promotes surface wetting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Sanyogita Arora, Alvin F. Schneider, Karen A. Tellefsen
  • Publication number: 20010032869
    Abstract: In a method of soldering a work-piece in a state where the work-piece contacts a wave molten solder, a soldering process is performed while controlling an immersion depth of the work-piece into the wave molten solder to be constant. The immersion depth control is performed by changing one of a height position of the work-piece and a wave height of the wave molten solder based on a displacement amount of the work-piece in a height direction thereof. Accordingly, the soldering process can be performed with high quality even when the work-piece is thermally warped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Ataru Ichikawa, Tatsuya Kubo, Atsushi Furumoto, Kenji Arai, Mitsuhiro Sugiura, Misao Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20010030220
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in wave soldering applications can include an adjustable wing device, a front gate and/or a mounted member. Each of these components are easily adjustable, thereby improving the quality of the soldered product and allowing for improved process efficiency and decreased downtime of the wave soldering equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Scott E. Willis, Greg Hueste
  • Publication number: 20010020637
    Abstract: A wave soldering apparatus includes a solder reservoir adapted to contain molten solder, and a solder nozzle disposed in the solder reservoir and extending up above the molten solder. The nozzle provides a substantially turbulent free solder wave under a printed circuit board while the board is moved in a predetermined path. A tray is pivotably mounted to the nozzle and angularly moved to vary the flow rate of the molten solder. A shroud is mounted adjacent to and associated with the tray to define a contained space into which an inert gas is supplied to provide an inert gas atmosphere. The shroud includes a canopy extending over a portion of the tray. The canopy extends substantially parallel to the predetermined path and is adjustably positioned in response to angular position of the tray to ensure that the board exits from the solder wave within the inert gas atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventor: Mitsuo Zen
  • Patent number: 6264090
    Abstract: Depositing a selected pattern of solder droplets onto a substrate on which one or more electronic components are to be mounted, the substrate being mounted on a substrate support and moved relative to a solder ejector along a scan axis, the droplets being deflected along a fan axis that is transverse to the scan axis by selectively applying a charge and passing the charged droplets through an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Phillip Muntz, Melissa E. Orme-Marmarelis, Gerald C. Pham-Van-Diep, Robert J. Balog
  • Patent number: 6257482
    Abstract: A jet solder feeding device allowing the molten solder ejected from ejecting ports to be kept at a desired height in a stable manner. The molten solder is ejected and fed from multiple ejecting ports formed on a corrugated plate, each wall portion surrounding the multiple ejecting ports formed on the corrugated plate is projected upward by coining or extrusion. This configuration allows the molten solder introduced under the corrugated plate to be satisfactorily guided by the conically shaped wall portion which surrounds each ejecting port and projected upward. Thus the molten solder ejected from the ejecting ports can be kept at a desired height, and in addition, its state is satisfactorily maintained in a stable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuo Koshi, Tadahiko Sugimoto, Hiroaki Nakayama, Kenichirou Todoroki
  • Publication number: 20010006186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for inerting a wave soldering installation having a solder bath (19) and a conveying system for producing one or more solder waves (14, 15), in particular for soldering electric printed circuit boards, having an immersion box (1) which is closed on all sides, shaped like a frame, can be immersed in the solder bath (19) and which has porous pipes (2, 3, 4) to distribute nitrogen, said pipes being arranged inside the immersion box in cage-like housings (5, 6, 7) with outlet openings (8, 9, 10), the cage-like housings (5, 6, 7) being designed such that the porous pipes (2, 3, 4) are arranged therein in such a way that the porous pipes (2, 3, 4) are essentially not struck by solder splashes produced during the operation of the wave soldering installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventor: Fernand Heine
  • Publication number: 20010004085
    Abstract: The method for hermetically encapsulating microsystems in situ consists, in a first phase, of mounting on a common substrate (1), several microsystems (6) surrounded by a metal adhesion layer (4) deposited on the substrate (1). In a second phase, in a common deposition step a first metal layer (7) is deposited by electrolytic means on each microsystem (6) and on an annular zone (7a) of the adhesion layer (4) surrounding each microsystem (6), so as to completely cover each microsystem by overlap. Subsequently a second metal layer (9) is deposited by electrolytic means on the first metal layer (7) and on the adhesion layer so as to cover most of the first layer with the exception of at least one passage (10) per microsystem (6), providing access to the first layer (7). The metal of the first layer is different from the metals of the adhesion layer, the second layer and the microsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: Fran?ccedil;ois Gueissaz
  • Patent number: 6239400
    Abstract: A process and a device for bonding two millimeter elements. The process makes, at determined locations of each of the two millimeter elements, bonding zones set to the potential of a second plane. Then, the process makes the bond by determined connections between the bonding zones and between conducting lines of the two millimeter elements. The device includes a coplanar line. Such a process and device may find particular application to millimeter circuits implementing conducting lines of the microstrip type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: GĂ©rard Cachier, Jean-Yves Daden, Alain Grancher
  • Patent number: 6234380
    Abstract: Apparatus for inerting a wave soldering installation having a solder bath and a conveying system for producing one or more solder waves, in particular for soldering electric printed circuit boards, having an immersion box which is closed on all sides, shaped like a frame, can be immersed in the solder bath and which has porous pipes to distribute nitrogen, the pipes being arranged inside the immersion box in cage-like housings with outlet openings, the cage-like housings being designed such that the porous pipes are arranged therein in such a way that the porous pipes essentially cannot be struck by solder splashes produced during the operation of the wave soldering installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Fernand Heine
  • Patent number: 6164515
    Abstract: A debridging tool incorporated into an automated wave soldering system adjacent to and after a wave soldering station removes bridges and/or excess solder formed during the wave soldering process by emitting a pressurized stream of air, inert gas or other fluid only under selected areas of a printed circuit board, including a flexible circuit. The debridging tool, which comprises a movable nozzle from which the stream is emitted and a means for transporting the nozzle under the printed circuit board, targets only those areas of the board where bridges or excess solder repeatedly forms during the soldering process without disturbing solder joints where no bridges or excess solder form. More than one movable nozzle may be used where warranted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Soltec B.V.
    Inventors: James J. Andrus, Allan Lance Larrabee, John Norton, Lambertus P. Willemen
  • Patent number: 6138890
    Abstract: An automatic soldering mechanism is for jetting a solder jet flow to a printed-circuit board to carry out a soldering of the printed-circuit board. The automatic soldering mechanism comprises a solder tank for storing a molten solder and a solder jetting nozzle section for jetting the solder jet flow higher than a melt surface of the molten solder within the solder tank in an inert gas atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Kanno, Shinji Sasaki, Yoshiaki Atani, Toshihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 6089445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drying fluxing of a metallic surface before soldering or tinning using an alloy, according to which the surface to be fluxed is treated, at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure, with a gaseous treatment atmosphere comprising excited or unstable species and being substantially free of electrically charged species, which is obtained from a primary gas mixture and, optionally, an adjacent gas mixture, the primary gas mixture being obtained at the gas outlet of at least one apparatus for forming excited or unstable gas species, in which an initial gas mixture comprising an inert gas and/or a reducing gas and/or an oxidizing gas has been converted, the adjacent gas mixture not having passed through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Thierry Sindzingre, Stephane Rabia
  • Patent number: 6082605
    Abstract: A solder jet apparatus is disclosed. The solder jet apparatus is a continuous mode solder jet that includes a blanking system and raster scan system. The use of the raster scan and blanking systems allows for a continuous stream of solder to be placed anywhere on the surface in any desired X-Y plane. This allows for greater accuracy as well as greater product throughput. Additionally, with the raster scan system, repairs to existing soldered surfaces can be quickly and easily performed using a map of the defects for directing the solder to the defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 6050473
    Abstract: A first electromagnetic induction pump system includes a first plurality of electromagnetic induction pumps, arranged in the direction parallel to the width of workpiece. The first plurality of electromagnetic induction pumps extend vertically along a first vertical plate portion at a workpiece inlet side of a single reservoir. A second electromagnetic induction pump system includes a second plurality of electromagnetic induction pumps, arranged in the direction parallel to the width of workpiece. The second plurality of electromagnetic induction pumps extend vertically extends along a second vertical plate portion at the workpiece outlet side of the reservoir. Brazing filler metal is ejected upward in waves by the electromagnetic induction pump systems to braze workpieces carried by the ejected waves into and out of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tamura Seisa Kusho
    Inventors: Tsugunori Masuda, Junichi Onozaki, Hiroshi Saito