Patent US2080607A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4400233A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4400233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for controlling an etch line
Assignee: RCA Licensing Corp
•
Filing: 1982-11-12
•
Granted: 1983-08-23
•
Expires: 2002-11-12
Abstract
Abstract An etch line for etching apertures in a sheet of material is controlled by measuring the energy transmission capabilities of the apertures immediately after initially rinsing the sheet. A second energy transmission capability measurement is made after the sheet is fully dried. The results of the two measurements are combined to produce a predicted transmission signal which is used to control a parameter of the etching process.
Inventors
- 👤 Hemmige V. Rangachar
- 👤 Kenneth D. Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:21
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23F; C23F1/00; C23F1/02; H; H01; H01J; H01J9/00; H01J9/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of etching a pattern of apertures in an etchable sheet of material comprising the steps of: passing said sheet through an etching process and measuring the actinic energy transmission capability of the etched apertures to obtain an early energy transmission signal; passing said sheet through at least one additional processing step including drying said material, and measuring the actinic energy transmission capability of the etched apertures to obtain a late energy transmission signal; utilizing said early and late transmission signals to obtain an error signal; and using said error signal to control a parameter of said etching process.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of etching a pattern of apertures in an etchable sheet of material comprising the steps of: passing said sheet through an etching process and measuring the actinic energy transmission capability of the etched apertures to obtain an early energy transmission signal; passing said sheet through at least one additional processing step including drying said material, and measuring the actinic energy transmission capability of the etched apertures to obtain a late energy transmission signal; utilizing said early and late transmission signals to obtain an error signal; and using said error signal to control a parameter of said etching process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said early and late transmission signals are instantaneous values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said early and late transmission signals are combined to obtain a predicted transmission signal, and wherein said error signal is obtained by algebraically adding said predicted transmission signal and a desired transmission signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said early and late transmission signals are subtracted to obtain an offset value, and wherein said predicted transmission signal is obtained by adding said offset value and said early transmission signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 4 further including the step of including a factor indicative of the distance said strip travels between said early and late transmission measurements when obtaining said offset value.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for controlling the etching of apertures in a sheet of material by varying an etching parameter in accordance with the energy transmission capabiliity of said apertures comprising: means for measuring the energy transmission capability of said apertures immediately after said etching and providing an early transmission signal; means for measuring the energy transmission capability of said apertures after said sheet of material passes through a drying cycle and providing a late transmission signal; means for receiving said early transmission signal and said late transmission signal and providing a predicted transmission signal; and means responsive to said predicted transmission signal for varying said etching parameter.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for controlling the etching of apertures in a sheet of material by varying an etching parameter in accordance with the energy transmission capabiliity of said apertures comprising: means for measuring the energy transmission capability of said apertures immediately after said etching and providing an early transmission signal; means for measuring the energy transmission capability of said apertures after said sheet of material passes through a drying cycle and providing a late transmission signal; means for receiving said early transmission signal and said late transmission signal and providing a predicted transmission signal; and means responsive to said predicted transmission signal for varying said etching parameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said means responsive to said predicted transmission signal includes means responsive to said predicted transmission signal and to a desired transmission signal for providing an error signal in accordance with the difference between said signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said means for receiving includes means for providing an offset signal in response to said early transmission signal and said late transmission signal, and means responsive to said offset signal and said early transmission signal for providing said predicted transmission signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said means for providing an offset signal is responsive to a signal indicative of the spacing between said means for measuring the energy transmission.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said energy is light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4013498A
Cited
US3918815A
Cited
US3955095A
Cited
US4124437A
Cited
US4126510A
Cited
US4289406A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-22 | 1987-02-21 | 1987-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-22 | 1991-02-21 | 1991-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-22 | 1995-02-21 | 1995-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |