US3684151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solder machine
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1969-08-08
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1989-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A soldering machine particularly useful for removing integrated circuit components for printed circuit boards is described. The apparatus includes a substantially closed bath of molten solder and a short passage leading upwardly from the closed chamber and having an open upper end. A printed circuit board holder and positioning frame is positioned over the open end of the passage as guided by a template so that a circuit element such as an integrated circuit package has its soldered leads positioned over the opening. When so positioned a plunger displaces a portion of solder in the closed chamber and the molten solder level in the passage rises to contact the leads to be soldered. Such a machine has particular utility for heating leads of a single component on a printed circuit board for removing the component from the board.
Inventors
- 👤 Per Aron Burman
- 👤 Sandor F Goldschmied
- 👤 Mahesh C Sharma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:54
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/06; B23K3/0646; B23K3/0669; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/36; B23K2101/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A solder machine comprising: a chamber for containing molten solder; a conduit in fluid communication with the chamber and having an upwardly facing open end; means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder over the open end of the passage; means for displacing a portion of molten solder in the chamber, thereby causing molten solder to rise in the conduit for contacting the work piece; and means for automatically actuating the means for displacing solder in response to a work piece being correctly positioned over the open end of the passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A solder machine comprising: a chamber for containing molten solder; a conduit in fluid communication with the chamber and having an upwardly facing open end; means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder over the open end of the passage; means for displacing a portion of molten solder in the chamber, thereby causing molten solder to rise in the conduit for contacting the work piece; and means for automatically actuating the means for displacing solder in response to a work piece being correctly positioned over the open end of the passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
158 words
A solder machine comprising: a chamber for containing molten solder; a conduit in fluid communication with the chamber and having an upwardly facing open end; means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder over the open end of the passage; means for displacing a portion of molten solder in the chamber, thereby causing molten solder to rise in the conduit for contacting the work piece, comprising a buoyant piston movable into and out of the solder chamber, and means for moving the piston into the chamber; and wherein said means for positioning a work piece comprises: a holder for a printed circuit board; first guide means for guiding motion of the holder in one direction in a horizontal plane; second guide means for guiding motion of the holder in a second direction in a horizontal plane; and a template for positioning the holder in a preselected position on the first and second guide means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
A solder machine comprising: a chamber for containing molten solder; a conduit in fluid communication with the chamber and having an upwardly facing open end; means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder over the open end of the passage; means for displacing a portion of molten solder in the chamber, thereby causing molten solder to rise in the conduit for contacting the work piece, comprising a buoyant piston movable into and out of the solder chamber, and means for moving the piston into the chamber; and wherein said means for positioning a work piece comprises: a holder for a printed circuit board; first guide means for guiding motion of the holder in one direction in a horizontal plane; second guide means for guiding motion of the holder in a second direction in a horizontal plane; and a template for positioning the holder in a preselected position on the first and second guide means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
218 words
A solder machine comprising: a base; a solder pot mouNted on the base, the solder pot including an upwardly facing open aperture; means for maintaining solder in the solder pot in a molten state; a plunger defining at least a portion of a wall of said solder pot, and movable between a first position enlarging the volume of the solder pot and a second position decreasing the volume of the solder pot; means for moving the plunger between the first position and the second position; and means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder in a preselected position over the open aperture comprising: a holder for a printed circuit board having an array of component locations thereon; a hinge member connected to the printed circuit board holder, a horizontal track on the base of the machine; a carriage; means for mounting the carriage on the track for motion along the length thereof; the carriage including a horizontal bar extending in a direction transverse to the direction of extent of the track; and means for mounting the hinge member on the transverse bar of the carriage for (a) motion along the length of the bar, and (b) pivotal movement of the hinge member about the bar for selectively raising and lowering the circuit board holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
218 words
A solder machine comprising: a base; a solder pot mouNted on the base, the solder pot including an upwardly facing open aperture; means for maintaining solder in the solder pot in a molten state; a plunger defining at least a portion of a wall of said solder pot, and movable between a first position enlarging the volume of the solder pot and a second position decreasing the volume of the solder pot; means for moving the plunger between the first position and the second position; and means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder in a preselected position over the open aperture comprising: a holder for a printed circuit board having an array of component locations thereon; a hinge member connected to the printed circuit board holder, a horizontal track on the base of the machine; a carriage; means for mounting the carriage on the track for motion along the length thereof; the carriage including a horizontal bar extending in a direction transverse to the direction of extent of the track; and means for mounting the hinge member on the transverse bar of the carriage for (a) motion along the length of the bar, and (b) pivotal movement of the hinge member about the bar for selectively raising and lowering the circuit board holder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A solder machine as defined in claim 3 further comprising: a template mounted on the base; an array of position indicia on the template corresponding to the array of component locations on the printed circuit board; a position indicia engaging member on the circuit board holder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A solder machine as defined in claim 4 further comprising: means for sensing when the indicia engaging member is in engagement with an indicium; and means for actuating the means for moving the plunger when engagement is sensed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A solder machine as defined in claim 5 wherein the indicia on the template include a recessed portion; and the indicia engaging member on the holder includes an extending member lowerable into the recessed portion, and further comprising a switch actuated by lowering of the holder; and wherein the means for moving the plunger is responsive to the switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A solder machine as defined in claim 5 wherein the solder pot includes an open ended tube extending through an upper wall of the solder pot; and wherein the plunger comprises a buoyant piston mounted in the cylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A solder machine as defined in claim 7 further comprising: a solder overflow collection channel adjacent the open aperture; an orifice between the overflow channel and the interior of the solder pot; and wherein the piston blocks the aperture when in the second position and opens the aperture when in the first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
168 words
A solder machine comprising: a base; a solder pot mounted on the base, the solder pot including an upwardly facing open aperture, and an open ended tube extending through the upper wall of the solder pot; means for maintaining solder in the solder pot in a molten state; a buoyant piston mounted in the tube defining at least a portion of a wall of said solder pot, and movable between a first position enlarging the volume of the solder pot and a second position decreasing the volume of the solder pot; means for moving the plunger between the first position and the second position; means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder in a preselected position over the open aperture; a solder overflow collection channel adjacent the open aperture; and an orifice between the overflow channel and the interior of the solder pot; and wherein the piston blocks the aperture when in the second position and opens the aperture when in the first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
168 words
A solder machine comprising: a base; a solder pot mounted on the base, the solder pot including an upwardly facing open aperture, and an open ended tube extending through the upper wall of the solder pot; means for maintaining solder in the solder pot in a molten state; a buoyant piston mounted in the tube defining at least a portion of a wall of said solder pot, and movable between a first position enlarging the volume of the solder pot and a second position decreasing the volume of the solder pot; means for moving the plunger between the first position and the second position; means for positioning a work piece to be contacted by molten solder in a preselected position over the open aperture; a solder overflow collection channel adjacent the open aperture; and an orifice between the overflow channel and the interior of the solder pot; and wherein the piston blocks the aperture when in the second position and opens the aperture when in the first position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
A solder machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for automatically actuating comprises: a work piece holder; a template mounted on the base; an array of position indicia on the template corresponding to selected locations on a work piEce; a position indicium engaging member on the work piece holder; means for sensing when the indicium engaging member is in an engagement with an indicium; and means for actuating the means for moving the plunger when engagement is sensed.
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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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |