Substrate soldering system

Claim 1

Control apparatus for controlling of a soldering system consisting of a heating element and cooling unit, comprising: a. power supply means for supplying a source of electrical power, characterized by a power-holding switch; b. first variable voltage means for providing a first voltage to energize said heating element for a first time period and to quickly elevate the temperature of same; c. first timing means for determining said first time period, characterized by a first switch connected to said source, which connects said source to the input of said first variable voltage means until the end of said first time period and to a first normally open output terminal thereafter until reset; d. second variable voltage means connected to said first normally open output terminal of said first switch, for energizing said heating element for a second time period to maintain same at a chosen soldering temperature; e. second timing means for determining said second time period, characterized by a second switch which connects said first normally open terminal of said first switch to the input of said second variable voltage means until the end of said second time period, and to a second normally open output terminal thereafter until reset; f. heating element switching means for connecting the output of said first variable voltage means to a said heating element during said first time period and the output of said second variable voltage means to said heating element during said second time period; and g. third timing means connected to said second normally open terminal for determining a third time period, characterized by a third switch which connects said power source means to said cooling unit during said third time period.

Claim 5

A method of control of a soldering system consisting of a heating element and a cooling unit for sequentially soldering and cooling a plurality of junctions on a priNted circuit board, comprising: a. connecting a voltage source to a first variable voltage generator, and connecting the output of said first variable voltage generator to said heating element to quickly elevate the temperature of same; b. timing a first time period, during which a first voltage is derived from said first variable voltage generator, which first voltage energizes said heating element during said first time period; c. disconnecting said first variable voltage generator from said voltage source and connecting said voltage source to a second variable voltage generator and connecting the output of said second variable voltage generator to said heating element to maintain same at a chosen soldering temperature; d. timing a second time period, during which a second voltage is derived from said second variable voltage generator which second voltage energizes said heating element during said second time period; e. disconnecting said second variable voltage generator from said voltage source and connecting a third voltage generator to said voltage source and connecting the output of said third voltage generator to said cooling unit to cool the junctions on said printed circuit board; f. timing a third time period during which said third voltage generator derives a third voltage from said voltage source which third voltage energizes said cooling unit during said third time period; and g. disconnecting said third voltage generator from said voltage source after said third time period.

Claim 6

A method of control of a soldering system consisting of a heating element and a cooling unit for sequentially soldering and cooling a plurality of junctions on a priNted circuit board, comprising: a. connecting a voltage source to a first variable voltage generator, and connecting the output of said first variable voltage generator to said heating element to quickly elevate the temperature of same; b. timing a first time period, during which a first voltage is derived from said first variable voltage generator, which first voltage energizes said heating element during said first time period; c. disconnecting said first variable voltage generator from said voltage source and connecting said voltage source to a second variable voltage generator and connecting the output of said second variable voltage generator to said heating element to maintain same at a chosen soldering temperature; d. timing a second time period, during which a second voltage is derived from said second variable voltage generator which second voltage energizes said heating element during said second time period; e. disconnecting said second variable voltage generator from said voltage source and connecting a third voltage generator to said voltage source and connecting the output of said third voltage generator to said cooling unit to cool the junctions on said printed circuit board; f. timing a third time period during which said third voltage generator derives a third voltage from said voltage source which third voltage energizes said cooling unit during said third time period; and g. disconnecting said third voltage generator from said voltage source after said third time period.