US5083087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Broken wire detector for wire scribing machines
Assignee: Advanced Interconnection Technology Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-17
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Granted: 1992-01-21
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Expires: 2010-07-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for detecting breaks in wire while the wire is being scribed wherein the apparatus measures changes, in real time, in the scribing system's electrical characteristics. These characteristics can be changes in phase shift and capacitance variations caused by breaks in the wire as the wire is scribed onto a workpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Fox
- 👤 Howard F. Malone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/50; G01R31/54; G01R31/52; G01R31/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A broken wire detector for use on wire scribing machines comprising: scribing means for applying and bonding wire to a workpiece; a variable frequency signal generating means, said generating means having a first and second output conducting a signal while said wire is being scribed on the workpiece, the first output of the generating means connected to a conductive plate of said wire scribing machine upon which a workpiece being scribed with wire by said scribing means is placed; a current detecting means for detecting a current in the work while said wire is being scribed on the workpiece, input of the detecting means being connected to the scribing wire by capacitive contacting means; and a synchronous detecting means having a first and a second input, the first input being connected to the second output of the signal generating means, the second input being connected to the output of the current detecting means, the synchronous detecting means generating a varying D.C. voltage, while said wire is being scribed, amplitude of which is a function of signals conducted into the first and the second input of the synchronous detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A broken wire detector for use on wire scribing machines comprising: scribing means for applying and bonding wire to a workpiece; a variable frequency signal generating means, said generating means having a first and second output conducting a signal while said wire is being scribed on the workpiece, the first output of the generating means connected to a conductive plate of said wire scribing machine upon which a workpiece being scribed with wire by said scribing means is placed; a current detecting means for detecting a current in the work while said wire is being scribed on the workpiece, input of the detecting means being connected to the scribing wire by capacitive contacting means; and a synchronous detecting means having a first and a second input, the first input being connected to the second output of the signal generating means, the second input being connected to the output of the current detecting means, the synchronous detecting means generating a varying D.C. voltage, while said wire is being scribed, amplitude of which is a function of signals conducted into the first and the second input of the synchronous detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 1, wherein the variable frequency signal generating means is an A.C. signal generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A broken wire monitor, as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a tuning inductive means connected to the A.C. signal generator for tuning prior to scribing the wire on the workpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A broken wire detector, as cited in claim 3, wherein the tuning inductive means is a variable inductor with a first and a second contact, the first contact connected to the output of the A.C. signal generator and the second contact connected to ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A broken wire detector for use on wire scribing machines, as recited in claim 1, wherein the conductive plate is a ground panel on which the workpiece rests.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 1, wherein the conductive plate is a shuttle plate on which the workpiece moves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 1, wherein the capacitive contact means between the wire and the input of the detecting means includes the scribing wire passed through an externally conductive tube, said conductive tube being internally insulated, the outside of said conductive tube being connected to the input of the detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 1, wherein the capacitive contact means between the wire and the input of the detecting means further comprises: a working spool for dispensing wire, wherein the input of the current detecting means is connected to an inside end of the wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A broken wire detector for use on wire scribing machine comprising: a wire scribing means for applying and bonding wire to a workpiece; and a capacitance measuring means for measuring a varying capacitance while said wire is being scribed, said capacitance measuring means having a first and a second probe, the first probe coupled to the wire by a capacitive contacting means, the second probe coupled to a conductive plate upon which the workpiece is located.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A broken wire detector for use on wire scribing machine comprising: a wire scribing means for applying and bonding wire to a workpiece; and a capacitance measuring means for measuring a varying capacitance while said wire is being scribed, said capacitance measuring means having a first and a second probe, the first probe coupled to the wire by a capacitive contacting means, the second probe coupled to a conductive plate upon which the workpiece is located.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 9, wherein the wire scribing means is a scribing machine capable of positioning and affixing the wire in a predetermined location on a workpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 9, wherein the conductive plate is a ground panel on which a workpiece rests.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 9 wherein the conductive plate is a shuttle plate on which the work piece moves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 9, wherein the capacitive contact means between the wire and the input of the capacitance measuring means includes the scribing wire passed through an externally conductive tube, said conductive tube being internally insulated, said conductive tube being connected to the first probe of the capacitance measuring means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A broken wire detector, as recited in claim 9, wherein the capacitive contact means between the wire and the input of the capacitance measuring means further comprises: a working spool for dispensing wire, wherein the first probe of the capacitance measuring means is connected to an inside end of the wire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
A process for detecting breaks in wire being scribed by a scribing means, comprising the steps of: electrically connecting a measuring means to the wire being scribed for measuring the wire's electrical characteristics while the wire is being scribed; connecting the measuring means to a ground plate of the scribing means; measuring the electrical characteristics of the wire as it is being scribed; and detecting change in the wire's electrical characteristics.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
A process for detecting breaks in wire being scribed by a scribing means, comprising the steps of: electrically connecting a measuring means to the wire being scribed for measuring the wire's electrical characteristics while the wire is being scribed; connecting the measuring means to a ground plate of the scribing means; measuring the electrical characteristics of the wire as it is being scribed; and detecting change in the wire's electrical characteristics.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process as recited in claim 15, wherein the electrical connection is a conductive tube connected directly to the measuring means and in which the scribing wire passes through the tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process, as recited in claim 15, wherein the wire's measured electrical characteristic is capacitance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process, as recited in claim 15, wherein the measuring means is a capacitance meter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process, as recited in claim 15, wherein the wire's measured electrical characteristic is phase change.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process, as recited in claim 18, wherein the electrical connection comprises: a working spool for dispensing a winding scribing wire, wherein an inside end of the scribing wire is connected to the measuring means.
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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) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |