US5227596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self regulating connecting device containing fusible material
Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-22
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2010-10-22
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the present invention, a heater element which includes a layer of ferromagnetic material is included in a connecting device along with a fusible material such as a solder preform. The connecting device includes, for example, a hollow sleeve formed of heat shrinkable material. The solder preform, the heater element and the heat shrinkable hollow sleeve are integrally formed as a self-contained solder sleeve device such that the heater element is separate from the objects to be joined and does not completely shield to generation of a inductive current in the objects to be joined. The connecting device thus promotes even flow and bonding of the fusible material around a junction between the objects. Further, a connecting device is provided which permits visual inspection of a connection between objects bonded upon activation of the connecting device, thus providing an opportunity to confirm the integrity of the junction.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H. McGaffigan
- 👤 Jack A. McCullough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L13/00; F16L13/08; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0625; F16L13/004; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0018; B29K2995/0026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A connecting device comprising: a fusible material; and a heating element having a predetermined Curie temperature, said heating element disposed adjacent said fusible material and independent of objects to be joined thereby, said heating element including a copper layer and a ferromagnetic layer adjacent said copper layer, said ferromagnetic layer being magnetically discontinuous.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A connecting device comprising: a fusible material; and a heating element having a predetermined Curie temperature, said heating element disposed adjacent said fusible material and independent of objects to be joined thereby, said heating element including a copper layer and a ferromagnetic layer adjacent said copper layer, said ferromagnetic layer being magnetically discontinuous.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said heating element has a non-solder wetting coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said heating device is pretinned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fusible material has a fusion temperature below the Curie temperature of said ferromagnetic member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A connecting device for connecting two or more objects comprising; a heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve; a fusible material disposed internally of said hollow insulting sleeve; and a heater element disposed internally of said hollow insulating sleeve said heater element including a metal layer and a ferromagnetic layer adjacent said metal layer, said ferromagnetic layer being magnetically discontinuous, said heater element including a pretinned layer of a first material, and a layer of a second material having a predetermined Curie temperature, a first surface of said second material having a non-solder wetting coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A connecting device for connecting two or more objects comprising; a heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve; a fusible material disposed internally of said hollow insulting sleeve; and a heater element disposed internally of said hollow insulating sleeve said heater element including a metal layer and a ferromagnetic layer adjacent said metal layer, said ferromagnetic layer being magnetically discontinuous, said heater element including a pretinned layer of a first material, and a layer of a second material having a predetermined Curie temperature, a first surface of said second material having a non-solder wetting coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein said heater element is supported by said fusible material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connecting device according to claim 6, wherein said heater element is formed as a plate and said fusible material is formed as a ring-like preform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein said heater element is adjacent to said fusible material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein said heater element is formed as a hollow axially split cylinder having a barrel portion with tines extending therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connecting device according to claim 9, wherein said fusible material is formed by at least one ring-like preform which is supported within said tines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A connecting device according to claim 10, wherein said connecting device is activated via induced current flow within said heater element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connecting device according to claim 11, wherein upon activation of said connecting device, said tines contract toward said object being terminated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A connecting device according to claim 11, wherein upon activation of said connecting device, said fusible material is placed into a molten state and is drawn through said heater element from said tines toward said barrel portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein said second material is a ferromagnetic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein said heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve is formed of a translucent plastic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein said heater element is U-shaped.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein at least one object to be connected is a terminal of a multipin connector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein at least one object to be connected is braided shielding cable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A connecting device according to claim 5, wherein at least one object to be connected is a pipe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
68 words
A connecting device for connecting two or more objects comprising: a heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve; a fusible material disposed internally of said hollow sleeve; and a heater element having a predetermined Curie temperature and including a metal layer and a ferromagnetic layer adjacent said metal layer, said heater element being supported by said fusible material internally of said hollow insulating sleeve, said ferromagnetic layer being magnetically discontinuous.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
A connecting device for connecting two or more objects comprising: a heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve; a fusible material disposed internally of said hollow sleeve; and a heater element having a predetermined Curie temperature and including a metal layer and a ferromagnetic layer adjacent said metal layer, said heater element being supported by said fusible material internally of said hollow insulating sleeve, said ferromagnetic layer being magnetically discontinuous.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A connecting device according to claim 20, wherein said heater element further comprises: a pretinned layer of a first material; and, a layer of a second material having a predetermined Curie temperature, a surface of said second material having a non-solder wetting coating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connecting device according to claim 21, wherein objects to be connected are inserted into said connecting device and directly fused with one another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
102 words
Method of connecting two or more objects comprising the steps of: inserting said objects into a connecting device which includes a heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve having a fusible material and a heater element disposed internally of said hollow sleeve, said heater element including a magnetically discontinuous ferromagnetic layer; inducing a current in said heater element such that the current is discontinuous around said heater element and said heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve contracts, bringing the heater element into contact with objects to be joined and placing said fusible material into contact with at least one of said objects to be connected.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
102 words
Method of connecting two or more objects comprising the steps of: inserting said objects into a connecting device which includes a heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve having a fusible material and a heater element disposed internally of said hollow sleeve, said heater element including a magnetically discontinuous ferromagnetic layer; inducing a current in said heater element such that the current is discontinuous around said heater element and said heat recoverable hollow insulating sleeve contracts, bringing the heater element into contact with objects to be joined and placing said fusible material into contact with at least one of said objects to be connected.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method according to claim 23, wherein said objects are fused directly to one another
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method according to claim 23, wherein said step of inducing current further causes deformation of said heater element to control flow of said fusible material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of inspecting a junction between said objects following said step of inducing current.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method according to claim 23, wherein said heater element has a Curie temperature greater than a fusion temperature of said fusible material.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |