US4848641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flux dispenser
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1988-07-05
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2008-07-05
Abstract
Abstract Fluxing station (34) has a flux dispenser (52) where liquid flux cascades down steps (88, 90). Circulating pump (46) draws liquid flux from a reservoir (54) below the steps and recirculates it to cascade down the steps. There is provision to add makeup flux from reservoir (38) or supply a cleaning liquid such as alcohol from reservoir (37) to clean the circulating system. A drain (62) is provided. Electrical components can be positioned with their leads on the steps so that liquid flux cascades thereover for accurately fluxing only the ends of the leads. Two or more pairs of steps, with different spacing, may be provided to accommodate components of different lengths.
Inventors
- 👤 Joon Park
- 👤 Han C. Leung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:16
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/3489; B; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/08; B23K3/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A flux dispenser comprising: a body; a pair of steps facing each other; means for supplying and flooding fluid flux down said steps so that an electrical component can be placed with its leads adjacent said steps so that flux cascades over the leads; and means for collecting the flux cascading down the steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A flux dispenser comprising: a body; a pair of steps facing each other; means for supplying and flooding fluid flux down said steps so that an electrical component can be placed with its leads adjacent said steps so that flux cascades over the leads; and means for collecting the flux cascading down the steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flux dispenser of claim 1 further including means for recirculating flux to said means for supplying fluid flux.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flux dispenser of claim 2 wherein said means for collecting and recirculating includes a reservoir below said steps and a pump taking suction from said reservoir and delivering fluid flux to said means for supplying fluid flux.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flux dispenser of claim 3 further including a makeup reservoir for adding fluid flux when said reservoir receiving fluid flux from said steps has insufficient fluid flux therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flux dispenser of claim 4 further including a cleaning liquid reservoir, said cleaning liquid reservoir being connected to the suction of said pump so that cleaning liquid can be circulated through said pump, down said steps and into said flux dispenser for cleaning thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flux dispenser of claim 5 further including a drain connected to said flux reservoir for draining flux therein and for draining cleaning liquid therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flux dispenser of claim 1 wherein said steps are mechanically adjustable toward and away from each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The flux dispenser of claim 1 wherein there are first and second pairs of facing steps, said first pair of facing steps being spaced farther from each other than said second pair of facing steps so that electrical components having different lead lengths can be separately fluxed thereon without adjustment of said flux dispenser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flux dispenser of claim 8 wherein said means for supplying is a flux circulating pump connected to said flux reservoir for drawing liquid flux from said flux reservoir and discharging it to said liquid flux supply means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flux dispenser of claim 9 wherein a flux makeup reservoir is connected to supply makeup liquid flux to maintain flux level in said flux reservoir.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The flux dispenser of claim 9 wherein a cleaning liquid reservoir is connected to supply cleaning liquid for circulation through said pump, down said steps and into said flux reservoir for cleaning thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A flux dispenser comprising: a body; recesses in said body to form a pair of steps, an opening between said steps to drain liquid flux away from said steps, a reservoir below said steps; a pump connected to said reservoir to pump liquid flux from said reservoir and deliver liquid flux to said steps so that liquid flux cascades down said steps so that an electrical component having a lead spacing no greater than the spacing between said steps can have its leads inserted into flowing liquid flux cascading down said steps to flux the leads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
A flux dispenser comprising: a body; recesses in said body to form a pair of steps, an opening between said steps to drain liquid flux away from said steps, a reservoir below said steps; a pump connected to said reservoir to pump liquid flux from said reservoir and deliver liquid flux to said steps so that liquid flux cascades down said steps so that an electrical component having a lead spacing no greater than the spacing between said steps can have its leads inserted into flowing liquid flux cascading down said steps to flux the leads.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flux dispenser of claim 12 wherein said liquid flux reservoir is within said body directly below said opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The flux dispenser of claim 12 wherein first and second longitudinal channels are positioned in said block adjacent said steps, said pump supplying liquid flux to said channels so that liquid flux from said channels flows down said steps.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flux dispenser of claim 14 wherein said liquid flux channels are substantially parallel to said steps and are at substantially the same height of said steps.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flux dispenser of claim 15 wherein said liquid flux reservoir is within said body directly below said opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flux dispenser of claim 12 further including a makeup flux reservoir connected to supply makeup liquid flux to maintain liquid flux level in said flux reservoir.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flux dispenser of claim 17 wherein said makeup flux reservoir is connected to the suction of said pump for supplying makeup flux.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The flux dispenser of claim 12 wherein a liquid cleaner reservoir is connected to the suction of said pump so that liquid cleaner can be circulated through said pump, down said steps and into said reservoir for cleaning liquid flux therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flux dispenser of claim 19 further including a makeup flux reservoir connected to supply makeup liquid flux to maintain liquid flux level in said flux reservoir.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flux dispenser of claim 20 wherein said makeup flux reservoir is connected to the suction of said pump for supplying makeup flux.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flux dispenser of claim 12 wherein said steps are mechanically adjustable toward and away from each other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flux dispenser of claim 12 wherein there are recesses in said body to form two pairs of facing steps at different distances from each other to flux components of different lengths.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
80 words
The flux dispenser of claim 12 wherein said flux dispenser is configured for connection as part of an automatic assembly machine which includes an electrical component dispensing station, a printed wiring board station and a controlled set of pickup fingers which pick up an electrical component at the dispensing station, carry it to said flux dispenser wherein flux flows over the leads of the component and places the component on a printed wiring board at said printed wiring board station.
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) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |