US4373658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High pressure condensation soldering, fusing or brazing
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1981-02-23
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2001-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A high pressure steam condensation soldering facility (10) is described. The facility (10) incorporates a chamber (12) having a centrally located heat processing zone (45) into which high pressure steam is injected to reflow solder on articles (43) therein. A baffle (41) having a conical top portion (51) with a plurality of apertures (52) therein permits controlled amounts of the steam to pass therethrough while redirecting a portion of the steam along the wall (16) of the chamber (12) to interpose a shield of steam between the wall and uniformly heated processing zone (45).
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J. March
- 👤 Raymond J. Newman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:42
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K35/00; B23K35/22; B23K35/38; B23K35/386; B23K1/00; B23K1/012; B23K1/015; B23K3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of forming a vapor processing zone, having a substantially uniform temperature distribution therein, within a high pressure steam condensation heating chamber for soldering, fusing or brazing an article therein, the method comprising the steps of: forming a shield of steam between the chamber wall and the vapor processing zone; and simultaneously directing high pressure steam into said processing zone at a temperature sufficient to solder, fuse or braze said article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of forming a vapor processing zone, having a substantially uniform temperature distribution therein, within a high pressure steam condensation heating chamber for soldering, fusing or brazing an article therein, the method comprising the steps of: forming a shield of steam between the chamber wall and the vapor processing zone; and simultaneously directing high pressure steam into said processing zone at a temperature sufficient to solder, fuse or braze said article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the high pressure steam is directed into the processing zone through a baffle having a plurality of apertures therein.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of soldering an article in a high pressure steam condensation soldering chamber, the method comprising: depositing a predetermined amount of solder on the article; placing the article in said chamber under a conically shaped, apertured baffle; directing high pressure steam through said apertures to condense said steam on the article and the solder to give up the latent heat of vaporization to reflow the solder; and decreasing the pressure and temperature to resolidify the solder on the article.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of soldering an article in a high pressure steam condensation soldering chamber, the method comprising: depositing a predetermined amount of solder on the article; placing the article in said chamber under a conically shaped, apertured baffle; directing high pressure steam through said apertures to condense said steam on the article and the solder to give up the latent heat of vaporization to reflow the solder; and decreasing the pressure and temperature to resolidify the solder on the article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as set forth in claim 3, characterized by: redirecting a portion of the steam along walls of the chamber to thermally isolate the walls from the volume under the baffle in which the article is being soldered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A high pressure vapor condensation heating facility, comprising: a chamber having a base, a circumferential sidewall and a coverplate thereon, the coverplate having a centrally located opening therein through which high pressure vapor is injected into said chamber; and a baffle means, having a conically shaped portion with a plurality of holes therein, mounted proximate the coverplate with the apex of the cone vertically aligned with the axis of the opening in the coverplate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A high pressure vapor condensation heating facility, comprising: a chamber having a base, a circumferential sidewall and a coverplate thereon, the coverplate having a centrally located opening therein through which high pressure vapor is injected into said chamber; and a baffle means, having a conically shaped portion with a plurality of holes therein, mounted proximate the coverplate with the apex of the cone vertically aligned with the axis of the opening in the coverplate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The facility as set forth in claim 5, wherein: the periphery of the conically shaped portion is spaced from the chamber wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The facility as set forth in claim 5 or 6, wherein: the ratio of the total area of the plurality of holes in the baffle to the centrally located opening in the coverplate is approximately 2:1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |