Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of soldering an article having previously applied solder thereon, comprising the steps of: condensing a portion of a first vapor on a first vessel, having a primary heat transfer liquid therein, to transfer the latent heat of vaporization of the first vapor to the vessel to boil the heat transfer liquid therein and generate a primary vapor therefrom; generating the first vapor, having a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the solder, in a second vessel, having at least a portion of the first vessel mounted therein, wherein the volume between the first and second vessels is sealed from the atmosphere; controlling the pressure within the sealed volume by adjusting the temperature of a cooling means, mounted therein; condensing a portion of the primary vapor on the article and the solder to heat said article and solder to the melting temperature of solder by transferring the latent heat of vaporization thereto to melt the solder on the article; and removing the article from the primary vapor to solidify the solder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of soldering an article having previously applied solder thereon, comprising the steps of: condensing a portion of a first vapor on a first vessel, having a primary heat transfer liquid therein, to transfer the latent heat of vaporization of the first vapor to the vessel to boil the heat transfer liquid therein and generate a primary vapor therefrom; generating the first vapor, having a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the solder, in a second vessel, having at least a portion of the first vessel mounted therein, wherein the volume between the first and second vessels is sealed from the atmosphere; controlling the pressure within the sealed volume by adjusting the temperature of a cooling means, mounted therein; condensing a portion of the primary vapor on the article and the solder to heat said article and solder to the melting temperature of solder by transferring the latent heat of vaporization thereto to melt the solder on the article; and removing the article from the primary vapor to solidify the solder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The soldering method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first vapor is generated by: introducing a secondary heat transfer liquid into the second vessel having a heating means therein; and energizing the heating means to boil the secondary heat transfer liquid to generate the first body of vapor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The soldering method as set forth in claim 2, wherein: at least the lower half of the first vessel is mounted within the second vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The soldering method as set forth in claim 2, which is further characterized by: interposing a body of tertiary vapor between the primary vapor in the first vessel and the atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The soldering method as set forth in claim 4, which is characterized by: generating the first vapor outside the second vessel; and introducing the first vapor into the sealed volume between the first and second vessels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The soldering method as set forth in claim 1, which is further characterized by: interposing a body of tertiary vapor between the primary vapor in the first vessel and the atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
A condensation soldering facility for soldering articles, comprising: a first vessel to receive a primary heat transfer liquid having a boiling point at least equal to the solder melting temperature; a first means for condensing vapor, mounted within the first vessel and at a predetermined elevation above the bottom of said vessel; a second vessel, mounted proximate the first vessel and having a common wall defining a volume therebetween that is sealed from the atmosphere, to receive a secondary heat transfer liquid having a boiling point greater than the solder melting temperature; a second means for condensing vapor, mounted within the second vessel and at a predetermined elevation above the bottom of said vessel to control the temperature of said vapor; and means for heating the secondary liquid to generate a secondary vapor therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
A condensation soldering facility for soldering articles, comprising: a first vessel to receive a primary heat transfer liquid having a boiling point at least equal to the solder melting temperature; a first means for condensing vapor, mounted within the first vessel and at a predetermined elevation above the bottom of said vessel; a second vessel, mounted proximate the first vessel and having a common wall defining a volume therebetween that is sealed from the atmosphere, to receive a secondary heat transfer liquid having a boiling point greater than the solder melting temperature; a second means for condensing vapor, mounted within the second vessel and at a predetermined elevation above the bottom of said vessel to control the temperature of said vapor; and means for heating the secondary liquid to generate a secondary vapor therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The condensation soldering facility as set forth in claim 7, wherein: at least a portion of the first vessel is mounted within the second vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The condensation soldering facility as set forth in claim 8 which further comprises: a third means for condensing vapor, mounted within the first vessel and at a predetermined elevation above the first condensing means.