US4631197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for adjusting the frequency of a resonator by laser
Assignee: CTS Corp
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Filing: 1985-07-17
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2005-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed to allow the frequency adjustment of a crystal resonator sealed in a housing. The housing includes a transparent area which has plating material deposited thereon. The plating material is vaporized by a laser beam which sprays onto the crystal resonator thereby adjusting the operating frequency. The laser beam is scanned over the transparent area until an effective amount of plating material has been vaporized to adjust the frequency of the crystal resonator.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey A. DeFreese
- 👤 Theodore E. Lind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:45
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H3/00; H03H3/007; H03H3/02; H03H3/04; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/24; C23C14/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An improved crystal resonator device, comprising: a crystal resonator; a base constructed and arranged to receive said crystal resonator; at least two terminal leads extending through said base electrically connected to said crystal resonator; and a cover having at least one transparent area with an effective amount of plating material deposited thereon forming a layer having at least one goemetrically shaped surface; whereby, said geometrically shaped surface operates to control the vaporization of said plating material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An improved crystal resonator device, comprising: a crystal resonator; a base constructed and arranged to receive said crystal resonator; at least two terminal leads extending through said base electrically connected to said crystal resonator; and a cover having at least one transparent area with an effective amount of plating material deposited thereon forming a layer having at least one goemetrically shaped surface; whereby, said geometrically shaped surface operates to control the vaporization of said plating material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said transparent area is positioned substantially above and parallel to the position of the crystal resonator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said transparent area is comprised of glass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said transparent layer is comprised of plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said plating material is comprised of gold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said plating material is comprised of silver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said plating material is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said plating material is comprised of chrome.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said base and said cover are cooperatively sealed to maintain a vacuum within the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said vacuum is less than 10 mtorr.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said geometrically shaped surface of said plating material comprises a substantially sheet shaped layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said geometrically shaped surface of said plating material comprises a substantially serrated shaped layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said geometrically shaped surface of said plating material comprises a substantially stepped shaped layer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for fabricating a crystal resonator to a specified operating frequency, comprising the steps of: mounting the crystal resonator within a housing having at least one transparent area with an effective amount of plating material deposited thereon; shaping said plating material such that at least one geometrically shaped surface is formed thereon; measuring the operating frequency of the crystal resonator; and vaporizing said plating material with a laser beam such that the vaporization pattern of said plating material is controlled by said geometrically shaped surface thereby adjusting the crystal resonator's operating frequency.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for fabricating a crystal resonator to a specified operating frequency, comprising the steps of: mounting the crystal resonator within a housing having at least one transparent area with an effective amount of plating material deposited thereon; shaping said plating material such that at least one geometrically shaped surface is formed thereon; measuring the operating frequency of the crystal resonator; and vaporizing said plating material with a laser beam such that the vaporization pattern of said plating material is controlled by said geometrically shaped surface thereby adjusting the crystal resonator's operating frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said plating material is comprised of gold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said plating material is comprised of silver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said plating material is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said plating material is comprised of chrome.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said mounting step further includes the step of sealing said housing such that the internal atmosphere of said housing is a vacuum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said internal vacuum of the housing is less than 10 mtorr.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 14, which includes the further step of scanning the laser beam over said transparent area until an effective amount of plating material has vaporized to adjust the crystal resonator's operating frequency.
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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) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |