Patent US4965092A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4965092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the manufacture of copper thick-film conductors using an infrared furnace
Assignee: Versum Materials US LLC
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Filing: 1989-04-28
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Granted: 1990-10-23
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Expires: 2009-04-28
Abstract
Abstract Water added to the furnace heated by an infrared or near-infrared radiation source used to fire thick-film electrical components provides finished components exhibiting desirable physical and electrical properties and surface cleanliness.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A. Hayduk, Jr.
- 👤 Walter F. Yext
- 👤 David R. Taschler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:15
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/10; H05K3/12; H05K3/1283; H05K3/1291; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/01; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/11; H05K2203/1126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a process of manufacturing thick-film electrical components by forming a paste suitable for application to a ceramic substrate, applying said paste to said substrate by a conventional screen printing technique, drying said printed substrate and firing said substrate and said paste at elevated temperature in a furnace heated by a radiant energy source having a wavelength greater than 4,000 but less than 100,000 angstroms to form said electrical component, the improvement comprising: firing said paste and substrate composite in a hot zone of said furnace maintained at a temperature of between 850° and 1,000° C. under an inert gas atmosphere to which is added from 100 to 3,000 ppm water whereby said fired composites exhibit enhanced adhesion of said paste to said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a process of manufacturing thick-film electrical components by forming a paste suitable for application to a ceramic substrate, applying said paste to said substrate by a conventional screen printing technique, drying said printed substrate and firing said substrate and said paste at elevated temperature in a furnace heated by a radiant energy source having a wavelength greater than 4,000 but less than 100,000 angstroms to form said electrical component, the improvement comprising: firing said paste and substrate composite in a hot zone of said furnace maintained at a temperature of between 850° and 1,000° C. under an inert gas atmosphere to which is added from 100 to 3,000 ppm water whereby said fired composites exhibit enhanced adhesion of said paste to said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said radiant energy source has a wavelength between 4,000 and 25,000 angstroms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said radiant energy source has a wavelength between 25,000 and 100,000 angstroms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said water addition is between 100 and 2,000 ppm by volume.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said paste and ceramic components are held in the hot zone of said furnace for a period of time varying between 1 and 7 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said furnace permits pre-heating, firing in a hot zone and cooling of said paste and composite substrate and wherein the entire process takes between 10 and 30 minutes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the inert gas atmosphere is nitrogen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the inert gas atmosphere is argon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein between 10 and 20,000 ppm nitrous oxide is added to the inert gas-water atmosphere in the hot zone of said furnace.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the furnace contains a preheat zone maintained under an inert gas atmosphere to which is added between 100 and 3,000 ppm water.
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) | 1993-10-22 | 1994-04-23 | 1994-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-22 | 1998-04-23 | 1998-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-22 | 2002-04-23 | 2002-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |