US3680200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluxless ultrasonic soldering of aluminum tubes
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Aluminum tubes such as those employed in refrigeration and air conditioning systems can be soldered without flux using ultrasonic energy provided the joint configuration is properly controlled and the ultrasonic pluses are applied in a controlled positive fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Terrill
- 👤 Stanley F Dzierski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:31
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K1/00; B23K1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of fluxless joining of aluminum tubes comprising: 1 bringing into socket engagement a male and female aluminum tube member to provide a lapped socket joint configuration, the annular gap between said male and female members being 0.002 to 0.006 inch substantially around the entire periphery of said gap, the joint being oriented in a substantially vertical direction with the entrance to the female member pointing substantially upwardly, 2. positioning at the said upwardly facing entrance end of said female portion a supply of joining filler alloy, 3. bringing said joint and said filler alloy to joining temperature which melts the joining alloy but not the aluminum tube members, 4. applying to said joint at said joining temperature positive multi-directional ultrasonic energY pulses to cause cavitation of said molten filler alloy thereby to cause said filler alloy to disrupt the oxide coating and to wet the metal surfaces of said members engaged in said joint to progressively form a connecting bridge between said surfaces, and 5. solidifying said filler alloy.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of fluxless joining of aluminum tubes comprising: 1 bringing into socket engagement a male and female aluminum tube member to provide a lapped socket joint configuration, the annular gap between said male and female members being 0.002 to 0.006 inch substantially around the entire periphery of said gap, the joint being oriented in a substantially vertical direction with the entrance to the female member pointing substantially upwardly, 2. positioning at the said upwardly facing entrance end of said female portion a supply of joining filler alloy, 3. bringing said joint and said filler alloy to joining temperature which melts the joining alloy but not the aluminum tube members, 4. applying to said joint at said joining temperature positive multi-directional ultrasonic energY pulses to cause cavitation of said molten filler alloy thereby to cause said filler alloy to disrupt the oxide coating and to wet the metal surfaces of said members engaged in said joint to progressively form a connecting bridge between said surfaces, and 5. solidifying said filler alloy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
positioning at the said upwardly facing entrance end of said female portion a supply of joining filler alloy,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
positioning at the said upwardly facing entrance end of said female portion a supply of joining filler alloy,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the axes of the tubes are positioned within 30* of a true vertical axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic energy pulses are applied in a substantially horizontal plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
bringing said joint and said filler alloy to joining temperature which melts the joining alloy but not the aluminum tube members,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
bringing said joint and said filler alloy to joining temperature which melts the joining alloy but not the aluminum tube members,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
applying to said joint at said joining temperature positive multi-directional ultrasonic energY pulses to cause cavitation of said molten filler alloy thereby to cause said filler alloy to disrupt the oxide coating and to wet the metal surfaces of said members engaged in said joint to progressively form a connecting bridge between said surfaces, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
applying to said joint at said joining temperature positive multi-directional ultrasonic energY pulses to cause cavitation of said molten filler alloy thereby to cause said filler alloy to disrupt the oxide coating and to wet the metal surfaces of said members engaged in said joint to progressively form a connecting bridge between said surfaces, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the engaged length of said joint is at least three-eighths inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the engaged length of said joint is from three-eighths to five-eighths inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
4 words
solidifying said filler alloy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
4 words
solidifying said filler alloy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said tubes range from three-sixteenths to three-fourths inch in diameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the female portion of said joint is an expanded portion of a tube having a cross section substantially identical with that of the male member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said filler alloy is provided in the form of an insert shaped to fit within the space defined by the outer periphery of the male member and a flared opening provided at the upper end of the female portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic energy pulses are provided by a means having two prongs spaced to engage opposite outer faces of said joint.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |