US5435885A — Apparatus and method for fluid processing of elec…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 125 words

A fluid treatment apparatus, comprising: a first fluid flow manifold comprising at least one fluid head positioned a first surface of a substrate to be treated by a fluid, said first fluid flow manifold including at least two sets of a plurality of fluid jet injectors formed therein, means for directing a fluid into said fluid jet injectors, each of said fluid jet injectors creating a fluid jet impinging upon said substrate; means interconnected with said first fluid flow manifold for supplying said fluid to said fluid injector jets; means connected between said supply means and said first fluid flow manifold for alternating a flow of said fluid through said sets of fluid jet injectors; and a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 125 words

A fluid treatment apparatus, comprising: a first fluid flow manifold comprising at least one fluid head positioned a first surface of a substrate to be treated by a fluid, said first fluid flow manifold including at least two sets of a plurality of fluid jet injectors formed therein, means for directing a fluid into said fluid jet injectors, each of said fluid jet injectors creating a fluid jet impinging upon said substrate; means interconnected with said first fluid flow manifold for supplying said fluid to said fluid injector jets; means connected between said supply means and said first fluid flow manifold for alternating a flow of said fluid through said sets of fluid jet injectors; and a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid flow alternating means comprises a valve alternating said fluid flow between said sets of fluid jet injectors.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said valve comprises a rotating valve, said rotating valve including at least two fluid flow paths alternatingly connecting said fluid supplying means with said sets of fluid jet injectors as said valve rotates.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 79 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said rotating valve includes a first fluid flow path providing a connection between said fluid supplying means and a first set of fluid flow injectors when said rotating valve is in a first position and a second flow path providing a connection between a second set of fluid jet injectors and said fluid supplying means when said rotating valve is in a second position, said valve rotates in one direction.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 153 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second fluid flow manifold situated on an opposite side of said substrate from said first fluid flow manifold, said second fluid flow manifold comprising at least one fluid head positioned on a side of a substrate opposite said first fluid flow manifold, said second fluid flow manifold including at least two sets of a plurality of fluid jet injectors, means to receive a fluid and direct the fluid into said fluid jet injectors, each of said fluid jet injectors creating a fluid jet impinging upon said opposite side of said substrate; means interconnected with said second fluid flow manifold for supplying said fluid to said manifold; means connected between said supply means and said second fluid flow manifold for alternating a flow of said fluid through said sets of fluid jet injectors; and a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising drain passages draining said fluid from about said substrate after said fluid has contacted said substrate, said drain passages being formed in said fluid flow manifold.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 51 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid jet injectors are arranged in rows with injectors from each manifold alternating within each row, a row of said drain passages is formed between each row of fluid jet injectors, and said drain passages are interdigitated with fluid jet injectors.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 82 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid flow manifold further comprises a third set of a plurality of fluid jet injectors, said fluid jet injectors of said two sets of fluid jet injectors are arranged in rows, said individual injectors of the two sets are alternatingly arranged within said rows, a row of fluid jet injectors of the third set alternatingly arranged with drain passages is arranged between rows of fluid jet injectors of said first two sets.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid supplying means comprises a pump.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 54 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid supplying means further comprises a fluid supply conduit connected between each of said fluid jet injector arrays and said rotating valve, each of said fluid supply conduits being connected to a plurality of branch fluid supply conduits connected to a fluid jet injector.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid flow manifold is a distance H from the surface of said substrate and said fluid jet injectors have a diameter D, with the ratio H/D ranging from about 0.2 to about 15.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 64 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said fluid jets is characterized by a fluid speed, V, at said fluid jet injectors, and the fluid of said fluid jets is characterized by a kinematic viscosity, nu, and wherein a Reynolds number associated with each of said fluid jets, defined as the ratio V*D/nu, ranges from about 50 to about 30,000.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 36 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means draining fluid between said fluid flow manifold and the surface of the substrate, and means for recycling said fluid back into said fluid supplying means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 145 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising more that two fluid flow manifolds, each of said manifolds comprising at least one fluid head positioned adjacent a surface of said substrate, each of said fluid flow manifolds including at least two sets of a plurality of fluid jet injectors formed therein, each of said fluid jet injectors including means for receiving a fluid and directing the fluid into said fluid jet injectors, each of said fluid jet injectors creating a fluid jet impinging upon said substrate; means interconnected with each of said fluid flow manifolds for supplying said fluid to said sets of fluid jet injectors; means connected between said supply means and each of said fluid flow manifolds for alternating said flow of said fluid through said sets of fluid jet injectors; and a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for collecting fluid drained from between said fluid flow manifold and said surface of said substrate and fluid flowing off of said substrate after interacting with said substrate.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 36 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid collecting means comprises a reservoir and wherein a pump pumps fluid in said reservoir into fluid supply conduits connected to said fluid jet injector arrays.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 165 words

A fluid treatment apparatus, comprising: a first fluid supply assembly including a plurality of fluid supply channels formed therein and being located adjacent a first surface of a substrate to be treated; an injector mask interposed between said first fluid supply assembly and said substrate, said injector mask including a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, said injector mask selectively obstructing some of said fluid supply channels and allowing fluid to pass from said fluid supply channels to said substrate when a fluid supply channel is aligned with one of said apertures, said apertures forming said fluid into fluid jets; means for supplying fluid to said fluid supply assembly and to said fluid supply channels; a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means; and means for moving said fluid supply assembly and said injector mask relative to each other whereby the fluid supply channels aligned with the apertures in the injector mask and the fluid supply channels obstructed by said injector mask may be altered.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 165 words

A fluid treatment apparatus, comprising: a first fluid supply assembly including a plurality of fluid supply channels formed therein and being located adjacent a first surface of a substrate to be treated; an injector mask interposed between said first fluid supply assembly and said substrate, said injector mask including a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, said injector mask selectively obstructing some of said fluid supply channels and allowing fluid to pass from said fluid supply channels to said substrate when a fluid supply channel is aligned with one of said apertures, said apertures forming said fluid into fluid jets; means for supplying fluid to said fluid supply assembly and to said fluid supply channels; a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means; and means for moving said fluid supply assembly and said injector mask relative to each other whereby the fluid supply channels aligned with the apertures in the injector mask and the fluid supply channels obstructed by said injector mask may be altered.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said injector mask is a distance H from the surface of said substrate and said apertures have a diameter D, with the ratio H/D ranging from about 0.2 to about 15.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 62 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each of said fluid jets is characterized by a fluid speed, V, at said apertures, and the fluid of said fluid jets is characterized by a kinematic viscosity, nu, and wherein a Reynolds number associated with each of said fluid jets, defined as the ratio V*D/nu, ranges from about 50 to about 30,000.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 34 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said apertures in said injector mask also act as drain passages, collecting spent fluid and carrying it to the drain channels between the slot injectors.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 46 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said apertures in said injector mask have a shape comprising two frustoconical sections connected at a narrowest point by a cylindrical section, a widest point of said frustoconical sections intersecting an outer surface of said injector mask.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said fluid jet assembly and said substrate are moved and said injector mask is stationary.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 184 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: a second fluid supply assembly including a plurality of fluid supply channels formed therein and being located adjacent a second surface of a substrate to be treated, said second surface being opposite said first surface; a second injector mask interposed between said second fluid supply assembly and said second surface substrate, said second injector mask including a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, said second injector mask selectively obstructing some of said fluid supply channels and allowing fluid to pass from said fluid supply channels to said second surface of said substrate when a fluid supply channel is aligned with one of said apertures; means for supplying fluid to said second fluid supply assembly and to said second fluid supply channels; a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means; and means for moving said second fluid supply assembly and said second injector mask relative to each other whereby said fluid supply channels aligned with said apertures in the injector mask and the fluid supply channels obstructed by said second injector mask may be altered.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 28 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein fluid is supplied to said first fluid supply assembly and said second fluid supply assembly by one fluid source.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 15 words

A fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said apertures are arranged in rows.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 186 words

A method of treating a substrate with a fluid, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fluid treatment apparatus adjacent a surface of said substrate to be treated, said fluid treatment apparatus comprising at least one fluid flow manifold comprising at least one fluid head, said fluid flow manifold including at least two sets of a plurality of fluid jet injectors formed therein, means for directing the fluid into said fluid jet injectors, means interconnected with said first fluid flow manifold for supplying said fluid to said fluid injector jets, means connected between said supply means and said fluid flow manifold for alternating a flow of said fluid through said sets of fluid jet injectors, and a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means; (b) introducing a fluid into said fluid supply means; (c) causing said fluid to flow alternately through one or more of said sets of said fluid jet injectors; (d) causing said fluid to flow through said sets of fluid jet injectors through which fluid did not previously flow; and (e) draining fluid away from said fluid flow manifold and said substrate.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 186 words

A method of treating a substrate with a fluid, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fluid treatment apparatus adjacent a surface of said substrate to be treated, said fluid treatment apparatus comprising at least one fluid flow manifold comprising at least one fluid head, said fluid flow manifold including at least two sets of a plurality of fluid jet injectors formed therein, means for directing the fluid into said fluid jet injectors, means interconnected with said first fluid flow manifold for supplying said fluid to said fluid injector jets, means connected between said supply means and said fluid flow manifold for alternating a flow of said fluid through said sets of fluid jet injectors, and a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means; (b) introducing a fluid into said fluid supply means; (c) causing said fluid to flow alternately through one or more of said sets of said fluid jet injectors; (d) causing said fluid to flow through said sets of fluid jet injectors through which fluid did not previously flow; and (e) draining fluid away from said fluid flow manifold and said substrate.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method according to claim 26, wherein said fluid flow manifold is a distance H from the surface of said substrate and said fluid jet injectors have a diameter D, with the ratio H/D ranging from about 0.2 to about 15.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 62 words

A method according to claim 26, wherein each of said fluid jets is characterized by a fluid speed, V, at said fluid jet injectors, and the fluid of said fluid jets is characterized by a kinematic viscosity, nu, and wherein a Reynolds number associated with each of said fluid jets, defined as the ratio V*D/nu, ranges from about 50 to about 30,000.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method according to claim 26, wherein said fluid drained from said fluid flow manifold and said substrate is reintroduced into said fluid supply.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 126 words

A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of providing a fluid treatment apparatus adjacent a surface of said substrate to be treated, said fluid treatment apparatus comprising at least one fluid flow manifold comprising at least one fluid head, said fluid flow manifold including at least two sets of a plurality of fluid jet injectors formed therein, means for receiving a fluid and directing the fluid into said fluid jet injectors, means interconnected with said first fluid flow manifold for supplying said fluid to said fluid injector jets, means connected between said supply means and said fluid flow manifold for alternating a flow of said fluid through said sets of fluid jet injectors, and a fluid source connected to said fluid supplying means.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 177 words

A method of treating a substrate with a fluid, comprising the steps of: (a) locating a fluid supply assembly adjacent a surface of a substrate to be treated, said fluid supply assembly comprising a plurality of fluid supply channels formed therein; (b) locating an injector mask between said fluid supply assembly and said surface of said substrate, said injector mask comprising a plurality of apertures formed therethrough; (c) selectively obstructing some of said fluid supply channels and allowing fluid to pass from said fluid supply channels to said substrate by aligning a portion of said apertures in said injector mask with said fluid supply channels of said fluid supply assembly and blocking a remaining portion of said fluid supply channels; (d) supplying fluid to said fluid supply assembly and to said fluid supply channels; and (e) altering the position of said fluid supply assembly and said injector mask relative to each other whereby the fluid supply channels aligned with the apertures in the injector mask and the fluid supply channels obstructed by said injector mask are altered.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 177 words

A method of treating a substrate with a fluid, comprising the steps of: (a) locating a fluid supply assembly adjacent a surface of a substrate to be treated, said fluid supply assembly comprising a plurality of fluid supply channels formed therein; (b) locating an injector mask between said fluid supply assembly and said surface of said substrate, said injector mask comprising a plurality of apertures formed therethrough; (c) selectively obstructing some of said fluid supply channels and allowing fluid to pass from said fluid supply channels to said substrate by aligning a portion of said apertures in said injector mask with said fluid supply channels of said fluid supply assembly and blocking a remaining portion of said fluid supply channels; (d) supplying fluid to said fluid supply assembly and to said fluid supply channels; and (e) altering the position of said fluid supply assembly and said injector mask relative to each other whereby the fluid supply channels aligned with the apertures in the injector mask and the fluid supply channels obstructed by said injector mask are altered.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method according to claim 31, wherein said injector mask is a distance H from the surface of said substrate and said apertures have a diameter D, with the ratio H/D ranging from about 0.2 to about 15.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 60 words

A method according to claim 31, wherein each of said fluid jets is characterized by a fluid speed, V, at said apertures, and the fluid of said fluid jets is characterized by a kinematic viscosity, nu, and wherein a Reynolds number associated with each of said fluid jets, defined as the ratio V*D/nu, ranges from about 50 to about 30,000.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method of treating a substrate with a fluid according to claim 31, further comprising the step of draining from said fluid supply assembly, said injector mask and said surface of said substrate.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method of treating a substrate with a fluid according to claim 34, further comprising the step of reintroducing said drained fluid into said fluid supply.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 190 words

A method of treating a substrate with a fluid according to claim 31, further comprising: the step of locating another fluid supply assembly adjacent another surface of said substrate, said other fluid supply assembly comprising a plurality of fluid supply channels formed therein; locating another injector mask between said other fluid supply assembly and said other surface of said substrate, said other injector mask comprising a plurality of apertures formed therethrough; selectively obstructing some of said fluid supply channels and allowing fluid to pass from said other fluid supply channels to said other surface of said substrate by aligning a portion of said apertures in said other injector mask with said other fluid supply channels of said other fluid supply assembly and blocking a remaining portion of said other fluid supply channels; supplying fluid to said other fluid supply assembly and to said other fluid supply channels; and altering the position of said other fluid supply assembly and said injector mask relative to each other whereby the fluid supply channels aligned with the apertures in the injector mask and the fluid supply channels obstructed by said injector mask are altered.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-07-24	1999-01-23	1999-07-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-07-24	2003-01-23	2003-07-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-07-24	2007-01-23	2007-07-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method for fluid processing of electronic packaging with flow pattern change

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