Surface mount assembly repair terminal

Claim 2

A repair terminal for reflowing an electrical component on a circuit board comprising: support means; a heater arm member attached to said support means; means for aligning said heater arm member with said component; means for ejecting hot gas from said heater arm member; and means for removing said hot gas from a heat zone around said component, thereby minimizing damage to adjacent components, said removing means also providing an insulative barrier about said heater arm member.

Claim 3

The repair terminal of claim 1 wherein: said heater arm member further comprises inner and outer tubes, each having first and second open ends, said inner tube being mounted within said outer tube, forming an annular space therebetween; and said hot gas is ejected from said inner tube, and is removed through said space between said inner and outer tubes, said space thereby forming an insulative barrier about said inner tube.

Claim 4

The repair terminal of claim 2 wherein: said first end of said inner tube is in fluid communication with a nozzle member, said nozzle member directing said hot gas onto said component; said first end of said outer tube is in fluid communication with a vacuum shroud, said shroud surrounding said nozzle member; said second end of said inner tube is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized gas; and said space between said inner and outer tubes is in fluid communication with a source of negative pressure, said source of negative pressure being coupled to said heater arm member near said second end of said outer tube, thereby setting up a circulation pattern about said component in which said hot gas is immediately removed from said heat zone after impinging upon said component.

Claim 5

The repair terminal of claim 3 wherein said second end of said inner tube is connected to said pressure source by an upper heater conduit, said upper heater conduit having a flow meter therein for regulating gas flow therethrough.

Claim 6

The repair terminal of claim 4 further comprising: an upper heater element mounted within said inner tube for heating said pressurized gas, for connection to an external power source; and upper heater control means for controlling temperature of said hot gas by regulating said upper heater element.

Claim 7

The repair terminal of claim 5 wherein said upper heater control means comprises: a thermocouple attached to said upper heater element; processor means for monitoring said thermocouple and regulating electrical current travelling to said upper heater element according to a setpoint temperature value; means for inputting said setpoint temperature value in said processor means; and means for displaying said setpoint temperature value.

Claim 8

The repair terminal of claim 3 further comprising lower heater means for preheating said circuit board.

Claim 9

The repair terminal of claim 7 wherein said lower heater means comprises: a lower heater conduit having first and second ends, said first end being in fluid communication with said pressure source; said lower heater conduit having a flow meter therein for regulating gas flow therethrough; a lower heater tube having first and second ends, said first end of said lower heater tube being in fluid communication with said second end of said lower heater conduit; a lower heater element located within said lower heater tube for connection to an external power source; and a vent in fluid communication with said second end of said lower heater tube, said vent directing hot gas on a side of said circuit board opposite the side on which said component is mounted.

Claim 10

The repair terminal of claim 8 having lower heater control means comprising: a thermocouple connected to said lower heater element: processor means for monitoring said thermocouple and regulating electrical current travelling to said lower heater element according to a setpoint temperature value; means for inputting said setpoint temperature value in said processor means; and means for displaying said setpoint temperature value.

Claim 11

The repair terminal of claim 3 further comprising means for raising and lowering said heater arm above said component.

Claim 12

The repair terminal of claim 10 wherein said means for raising and lowering said heater arm comprises: a pivot block having a hole therethrough for receiving said heater arm, said block being pivotally mounted to said support means. an air driven cylinder having an actuator arm, said cylinder being vertically disposed, and said actuator arm being retracted when air flows through said cylinder in a first direction, and being extended when air flows therethrough in a second direction; means for linking said actuator arm to said second end of said outer tube; means for supplying pressurized air to said cylinder; a solenoid valve for controlling said supplying means, said solenoid valve having a first position corresponding to said first direction of air flow through said cylinder, and having a second position corresponding to said second direction of air flow through said cylinder; and first switch means for activating said solenoid valve.

Claim 13

The repair terminal of claim 11 further comprising process control means for automatically controlling movement of said heater arm.

Claim 14

The repair terminal of claim 12 wherein said process control means comprises: second switch means; processor means electrically connected to said second switch means and said solenoid valve, whereby activation of said switch means causes said solenoid valve to switch to said first position, thereby lowering said heater arm, said processor means then causing said solenoid valve to switch to said second position, after a preset time interval has elapsed, thereby raising said heater arm; keypad means for inputting said preset time interval in said processor means.

Claim 15

The repair terminal of claim 3 wherein said aligning means comprises: a horizontal table member rotatably mounted to said support means; rail means slidably mounted to said table member; and a pair of jaw members adjustably mounted to said rail means.

Claim 16

The repair terminal of claim 14 wherein: said table member is substantially circular and has a beveled edge, said table member being mounted to said support means by a first plurality of bearings each having a concave working surface, said concave surfaces each mating with said beveled edge of said table member; and said rail means comprises two parallel rail members being mounted to said table member by a second plurality of bearings each having a concave working surface, said concave surfaces of said second plurality of bearings mating with an outer edge of one of said two rail members.

Claim 17

A repair terminal for removing or replacing a defective electrical component on a circuit board, comprising: a base; a means for adjustably holding said circuit board; support means extending upwardly from said base; a heater arm attached at a first end to said support means, said heater arm disposed above said holding means, having inner and outer tubes, said inner tube disposed within said outer tube, said heater arm terminating at a second end in a heater head, said heater head comprising a nozzle attached to said inner tube, and a vacuum shroud attached to said outer tube, said shroud partially surrounding said nozzle; a vacuum source connected to said outer tube at said first end of said heater arm; a pressure source connected to said inner tube at said first end of said heater arm; means for regulating flow of gas through said inner tube; and upper heater means located within said inner tube for heating gas as it passes therethrough.

Claim 18

A repair terminal for removing or replacing a defective electrical component on a circuit board, comprising: a base; a means for adjustably holding said circuit board; support means extending upwardly from said base; a heater arm attached at a first end to said support means, said heater arm disposed above said holding means, having inner and outer tubes, said inner tube disposed within said outer tube, said heater arm terminating at a second end in a heater head, said heater head comprising a nozzle attached to said inner tube, and a vacuum shroud attached to said outer tube, said shroud partially surrounding said nozzle; a vacuum source connected to said outer tube at said first end of said heater arm; a pressure source connected to said inner tube at said first end of said heater arm; means for regulating flow of gas through said inner tube; and upper heater means located within said inner tube for heating gas as it passes therethrough.

Claim 19

The repair terminal of claim 16 further comprising lower heater means for heating said circuit board from a side of said board opposite the side on which said component is mounted.

Claim 20

The repair terminal of claim 17 wherein said lower heater means comprises: a lower heater conduit having first and second ends, said first end being in fluid communication with said pressure source; said lower heater conduit having a flow meter therein for regulating gas flow therethrough; a lower heater tube having first and second ends, said first end of said lower heater tube being in fluid communication with said second end of said lower heater conduit; a lower heater element located within said lower heater tube for electrical connection to an external power source; and a vent in fluid communication with said second end of said lower heater tube, said vent directing hot gas on a side of said circuit board opposite the side on which said component is mounted.

Claim 21

The repair terminal of claim 16 having means for automatically lowering said heater arm immediately above said component for a preset time interval, said automatic means raising said heater arm after said time interval has elapsed.

Claim 22

The repair terminal of claim 16 having override means for defeating said upper heater means when no gas is flowing through said inner tube.

Claim 23

The repair terminal of claim 18 having override means for defeating said lower heater element when no gas is flowing through said lower heater tube.

Claim 24

A repair terminal for reflowing a component to or from a substrate, comprising: a base; a support member attached to said base; a housing attached to said support member; an adjustable workholder mounted on an upper surface of said base, said workholder having spring-mounted jaws for holding said substrate, and having means for slidable adjustment along two horizontal, perpendicular axes, and having means for rotatable adjustment in a horizontal plane; a pressure source; a lower heater conduit having first and second ends, and having a first flow meter therein for regulating flow therethrough, said first end of said lower heater conduit connected to said pressure source; a lower heater tube having first and second ends, said first end of said lower heater tube being connected to said second end of said lower heater conduit; a lower heater element mounted within said lower heater tube for heating gas flowing therethrough; means for regulating said lower heater element; a vent having first and second ends, said vent piercing said upper surface of said base, said first end of said vent connected to said second end of said lower heater tube, and said second end of said vent being open and located adjacent a side of said circuit board opposite the side on which said component is mounted; a heater arm having first and second ends, and inner and outer tubes, said inner tube lying within said outer tube, forming a first space therebetween; a heater head disposed at said first end of said heater arm; a nozzle attached to said inner tube proximate said heater head; a vacuum shroud attached to said heater head, surrounding said nozzle, forming a second space between said shroud and said nozzle, said second space being in fluid communication with said first space; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said first space; an upper heater conduit having first and second ends, and having a second flow meter therein for regulating gas flow therethrough, said first end of said upper heater conduit connected to said pressure source, and said second end of said upper heater conduit connected to said inner tube proximate said second end of said heater arm; an upper heater element mounted within said inner tube for heating gas flowing therethrough; means for regulating said upper heater element; an air cylinder located within said support member, attached to said second end of said heater arm, for raising and lowering said heater arm; first switch means for actuating said air cylinder; process control means for automatically lowering said heater arm immediately above said component for a preset time interval; second switch means for activating said process control means; and power means for energizing said upper and lower heater elements and said process control means.

Claim 25

A repair terminal for reflowing a component to or from a substrate, comprising: a base; a support member attached to said base; a housing attached to said support member; an adjustable workholder mounted on an upper surface of said base, said workholder having spring-mounted jaws for holding said substrate, and having means for slidable adjustment along two horizontal, perpendicular axes, and having means for rotatable adjustment in a horizontal plane; a pressure source; a lower heater conduit having first and second ends, and having a first flow meter therein for regulating flow therethrough, said first end of said lower heater conduit connected to said pressure source; a lower heater tube having first and second ends, said first end of said lower heater tube being connected to said second end of said lower heater conduit; a lower heater element mounted within said lower heater tube for heating gas flowing therethrough; means for regulating said lower heater element; a vent having first and second ends, said vent piercing said upper surface of said base, said first end of said vent connected to said second end of said lower heater tube, and said second end of said vent being open and located adjacent a side of said circuit board opposite the side on which said component is mounted; a heater arm having first and second ends, and inner and outer tubes, said inner tube lying within said outer tube, forming a first space therebetween; a heater head disposed at said first end of said heater arm; a nozzle attached to said inner tube proximate said heater head; a vacuum shroud attached to said heater head, surrounding said nozzle, forming a second space between said shroud and said nozzle, said second space being in fluid communication with said first space; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said first space; an upper heater conduit having first and second ends, and having a second flow meter therein for regulating gas flow therethrough, said first end of said upper heater conduit connected to said pressure source, and said second end of said upper heater conduit connected to said inner tube proximate said second end of said heater arm; an upper heater element mounted within said inner tube for heating gas flowing therethrough; means for regulating said upper heater element; an air cylinder located within said support member, attached to said second end of said heater arm, for raising and lowering said heater arm; first switch means for actuating said air cylinder; process control means for automatically lowering said heater arm immediately above said component for a preset time interval; second switch means for activating said process control means; and power means for energizing said upper and lower heater elements and said process control means.

Claim 26

An adjustable workholder comprising: a base; a table rotatably mounted to said base; first and second parallel rails fixedly attached to one another, and slidably mounted on said table; first and second jaws connected by spring means, said jaws mounted on said first and second rails.

Claim 27

An adjustable workholder comprising: a base; a table rotatably mounted to said base; first and second parallel rails fixedly attached to one another, and slidably mounted on said table; first and second jaws connected by spring means, said jaws mounted on said first and second rails.

Claim 28

The workholder of claim 23 wherein: said table is essentially circular, having a beveled edge, and is mounted to said base by means of a plurality of indented bearings attached to said base along a circular path, said table being interposed between said bearings, said beveled edge riding in indentations of said bearings; and said first jaw is fixedly attached to said first and second rails, and said second jaw is slidably attached to said first and second rails.