Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for adjusting an electrical characteristic of an electrical component of an electrical network having a stack of foils secured together, said stack having at least one synthetic carrier foil with a metal layer and an outer thermoplastic cover foil engaging one of the metal layers so that each metal layer of the stack is sandwiched between a pair of foils, said network having connecting wires which are fused through the outer cover foil and welded in contact with desired portions of the metal layers, said method comprising providing said electrical network, and trimming a metal layer of a component of the network by directing a laser beam through at least one of said foils and focusing it onto the metal layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for adjusting an electrical characteristic of an electrical component of an electrical network having a stack of foils secured together, said stack having at least one synthetic carrier foil with a metal layer and an outer thermoplastic cover foil engaging one of the metal layers so that each metal layer of the stack is sandwiched between a pair of foils, said network having connecting wires which are fused through the outer cover foil and welded in contact with desired portions of the metal layers, said method comprising providing said electrical network, and trimming a metal layer of a component of the network by directing a laser beam through at least one of said foils and focusing it onto the metal layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the network has at least two synthetic carrier foils, each of said foils being provided with at least one metal layer and one of said synthetic carrier foils separating two metal layers, said one synthetic carrier foil being of a material impervious to the wavelength of the laser beam so that the laser beam will not penetrate through said one carrier foil as one of the metal layers is being trimmed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the network has at least two synthetic carrier foils, said synthetic carrier foils each being of a material which is transparent to the laser beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein one of the transparent synthetic carrier foils is provided with a reflective metal layer so that during the trimming operation, said laser beam is reflected by the reflective metal layer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for adjusting an electrical characteristic of an electrical component of an electrical network by using a laser beam, said network having a stack of foils secured together, said stack having at least two synthetic carrier foils with a metal layer and an outer thermoplastic cover foil, said synthetic carrier foils each being of a material which is transparent to the laser beam, the metal layer on one of the transparent synthetic carrier foils being a reflective metal layer so that during a trimming operation, said laser beam is reflected by the reflective metal layer, said network having connecting wires which are fused through the outer cover foil and welded in contact with desired portions of the metal layers, said method comprising providing said electrical network, and trimming a metal layer of a component of the network adjacent one of the outer foils by directing a laser beam through at least one of said outer foils and focusing it onto the metal layer, after trimming the metal layer adjacent said one outer foil, performing a second trimming operation on a metal layer adjacent the other outer foil by rotating the network, and directing the focused laser beam through the other outer foil.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for adjusting an electrical characteristic of an electrical component of an electrical network by using a laser beam, said network having a stack of foils secured together, said stack having at least two synthetic carrier foils with a metal layer and an outer thermoplastic cover foil, said synthetic carrier foils each being of a material which is transparent to the laser beam, the metal layer on one of the transparent synthetic carrier foils being a reflective metal layer so that during a trimming operation, said laser beam is reflected by the reflective metal layer, said network having connecting wires which are fused through the outer cover foil and welded in contact with desired portions of the metal layers, said method comprising providing said electrical network, and trimming a metal layer of a component of the network adjacent one of the outer foils by directing a laser beam through at least one of said outer foils and focusing it onto the metal layer, after trimming the metal layer adjacent said one outer foil, performing a second trimming operation on a metal layer adjacent the other outer foil by rotating the network, and directing the focused laser beam through the other outer foil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, which includes measuring the electrical characteristic of the layer being trimmed and controlling the trimming operation in response to the measured characteristics.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for adjusting an electrical characteristic of an electrical component of an electrical network, which network comprises at least one synthetic carrier foil with a metal layer and a thermoplastic cover foil secured together in a stack with each metal layer being sandwiched between a pair of foils, said network has connecting wires fused through the cover foil and welded in contact in the desired portion of a metal layer, said apparatus comprising a laser having an associated power supply and producing a laser beam; means for foscusing the laser beam through at least one foil and on a metal layer to be trimmed and for deflecting the focused beam along a given path; a measuring bridge for measuring characteristics of the metal layer being trimmed; program means for storing the adjustment geometry and theoretical values of the electrical characteristics of the component, said program means controlling the means for deflecting; and amplifying and switching means for receiving a signal from the measuring bridge and for terminating operation of the laser and iniating the next adjustment step when the desired theoretical value is obtained.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for adjusting an electrical characteristic of an electrical component of an electrical network, which network comprises at least one synthetic carrier foil with a metal layer and a thermoplastic cover foil secured together in a stack with each metal layer being sandwiched between a pair of foils, said network has connecting wires fused through the cover foil and welded in contact in the desired portion of a metal layer, said apparatus comprising a laser having an associated power supply and producing a laser beam; means for foscusing the laser beam through at least one foil and on a metal layer to be trimmed and for deflecting the focused beam along a given path; a measuring bridge for measuring characteristics of the metal layer being trimmed; program means for storing the adjustment geometry and theoretical values of the electrical characteristics of the component, said program means controlling the means for deflecting; and amplifying and switching means for receiving a signal from the measuring bridge and for terminating operation of the laser and iniating the next adjustment step when the desired theoretical value is obtained.