US4898117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solder deposition system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1988-04-15
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Granted: 1990-02-06
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Expires: 2008-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A tool employing a solder foot to deposit solder on a series of conductive surfaces as the tool moves. In one embodiment, non-wettable blade attached to the tool breaks the film. A pair of sensors coupled to a control circuit monitor the position of the solder foot and the position may be changed as a function of the operation to be performed, i.e. deposit, reflow, standby while tool is moved. In a second embodiment a discrete solder mass is extruded and deposited on a preheated pad. In a third embodiment, solder wire is delivered to an omnidirectional tool for deposition.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G. Ledermann
- 👤 Luu Thanh Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:34
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/3465; B; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/06; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10007; H05K2201/10151; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/01; H05K2203/0104; H05K2203/0126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for depositing solder on a series of separated conductive surfaces comprising: a housing having means defining a reservoir for liquid solder and means defining an outlet for liquid solder in the form of a foot from said reservoir. means for sensing the position of the liquid solder foot emerging from said outlet, and means for breaking a solder film existing between said liquid solder foot and one of said separated conductive surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for depositing solder on a series of separated conductive surfaces comprising: a housing having means defining a reservoir for liquid solder and means defining an outlet for liquid solder in the form of a foot from said reservoir. means for sensing the position of the liquid solder foot emerging from said outlet, and means for breaking a solder film existing between said liquid solder foot and one of said separated conductive surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to break the film comprises an adjustable non-wettable blade mounted to said housing at a position opposite from said outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means to move said housing over said conductive surfaces in a predetermined pattern of movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a hollow vertical column, a heating element positioned in said column, and a channel member attached to said column and defining a plenum for said liquid solder to form said foot emerging from said outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to sense comprises a first sensor located in said outlet to sense the flow of liquid solder from said reservoir and a second sensor positioned outside said outlet to sense the position of said liquid solder foot emerging from said outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a sensing circuit responsive to said sensors to maintain the position of said liquid solder at predetermined positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means to heat said liquid solder in said reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means to vary the size of said liquid solder foot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means to vary the size of said liquid solder foot comprises means to apply pressure to said liquid solder in said reservoir, and means responsive to said means for sensing the position of said liquid solder foot to vary the pressure applied so that said solder foot is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to said outlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means to apply pressure comprises a gas volume disposed in fluid communication with said reservoir, a source of gas under pressure, and regulator means to selectively increase the pressure of said gas volume using said gas under pressure or to reduce the gas volume pressure by venting.
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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) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-08-07 | 1994-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-05 | 1997-08-07 | 1998-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-05 | 2001-08-07 | 2002-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |