US4364977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic self-adjusting processing apparatus
Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1981-07-06
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2001-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic self-adjusting processing apparatus for plating an object is described. The apparatus has a plating head, an apparatus coupled to the plating head which is responsive to the presence of the object for indicating the relative position of the plating head and the object, and an apparatus coupled to the indicating apparatus for automatically adjusting, if necessary, the relative position of the plating head and the object to a predetermined relative position.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl E. Bernardi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:27
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/04; H10P72/0478; H10P72/0451; H10P72/0468; H10P72/0476; H10W; H10W70/00; H10W70/01; H10W70/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A self-adjusting object processing apparatus comprising: a plating head; indicating means for indicating the relative position of said processing apparatus and said object, said indicating means including means to convey a stream of fluid to a hole in said object, the relative position of the hole in the object and said indicating means having an effect on the pressure of said fluid; pressure indicating means for indicating the magnitude of the fluid pressure; and adjusting means responsive to said pressure indicating means for automatically adjusting the position of said plating head relative to said object as a function of the magnitude of said pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A self-adjusting object processing apparatus comprising: a plating head; indicating means for indicating the relative position of said processing apparatus and said object, said indicating means including means to convey a stream of fluid to a hole in said object, the relative position of the hole in the object and said indicating means having an effect on the pressure of said fluid; pressure indicating means for indicating the magnitude of the fluid pressure; and adjusting means responsive to said pressure indicating means for automatically adjusting the position of said plating head relative to said object as a function of the magnitude of said pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure indicating means indicates the magnitude of fluid back pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including means for transporting the hole in the object into and out of registration with said fluid stream so that the magnitude of said back pressure varies between a maximum when the hole and the fluid stream are out of registration and a minimum when the hole and stream are in registration and in which said adjusting means adjusts said plating head to a position such that said back pressure has a predetermined value intermediate said maximum and said minimum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said object comprises a lead frame and said hole is located in a rail of said lead frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for transporting comprises means for indicating when said object is not at a predetermined position relative to said transporting means and means for inhibiting the adjustment of said plating head when said object is not at said predetermined position.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of plating an object comprising the steps of: transporting the object to a plating head; directing a stream of fluid against at least one aperture in said object; measuring the back pressure in said stream; providing an output that is a function of said back pressure; and if necessary, adjusting the position of the plating head to obtain a predetermined output.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of plating an object comprising the steps of: transporting the object to a plating head; directing a stream of fluid against at least one aperture in said object; measuring the back pressure in said stream; providing an output that is a function of said back pressure; and if necessary, adjusting the position of the plating head to obtain a predetermined output.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |