Patent US5831238A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5831238A
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US
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Method and apparatus for bonding using brazing material at approximately atmospheric pressure
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
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Filing: 1995-08-08
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2015-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for bonding components with a brazing material is described in which atmospheric plasma with active species is created by gas discharge generated in a gas capable of discharge at or about atmospheric pressure, and a portion of a component is exposed to the atmospheric plasma, thereby surface treating it. Prior to, simultaneously with, or following the surface treatment, bonding is accomplished with a brazing material. Surface treating the portion of the component allows using solder and, for example, a low-corrosive or no-rinse flux, or no flux, in an efficient bonding process. Furthermore, unwanted organic substances, for example, left over flux, may be removed by exposing the component to surface treatment, for example, after bonding is completed, or, if the component has residual undesirable organic substances, for example, left over from its manufacture, surface treatment may be performed prior to bonding.
Inventors
- 👤 Miyakawa Takuya
- 👤 Mori Yoshiaki
- 👤 Kurashima Yohei
- 👤 Anan Makoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:01
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K1/00; B23K1/20; B23K1/206; B23K1/203; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/36; B23K2101/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of bonding components together using a brazing material, comprising the steps of: providing a gas capable of discharge; generating discharge in said gas capable of discharge at or about atmospheric pressure thereby creating an atmospheric plasma having active species; exposing at least a portion of at least a first component to said atmospheric plasma having active species thereby surface treating said portion; and bonding said first component to a second component using a brazing material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of bonding components together using a brazing material, comprising the steps of: providing a gas capable of discharge; generating discharge in said gas capable of discharge at or about atmospheric pressure thereby creating an atmospheric plasma having active species; exposing at least a portion of at least a first component to said atmospheric plasma having active species thereby surface treating said portion; and bonding said first component to a second component using a brazing material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least an organic substance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: coating at least one of the portion of said first component and said second component with an organic substance prior to exposing said coated portion to the atmospheric plasma.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein exposing the portion to the atmospheric plasma is performed at least one of before, during, and after said bonding step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface of one of said first and second components is selectively exposed to said active species.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the surface of one of said first and second components is selectively exposed to said active species.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least helium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least helium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least helium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least compressed air.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least compressed air.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least compressed air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least nitrogen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least nitrogen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least nitrogen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least one of helium and nitrogen, and oxygen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least one of helium and nitrogen, and oxygen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least one of helium and compressed air, and a fluorine compound.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least one of helium and compressed air, and a fluorine compound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: providing moisture proximate the portion while exposing the portion to the atmospheric plasma.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of: providing moisture proximate the coated portion while exposing the coated portion to the atmospheric plasma.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of: providing moisture proximate the portion while exposing the portion to the atmospheric plasma.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the portion is directly exposed to the discharge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the coated portion is directly exposed to the discharge.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the portion is directly exposed to the discharge.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the portion is directly exposed to the discharge.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: providing a continuous supply of gas capable of discharge thereby forming a gas flow; generating a discharge in said gas flow thereby creating a reactive gas flow of the atmospheric plasma; and directly exposing the portion to said reactive gas flow.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of: providing a continuous supply of gas capable of discharge thereby forming a gas flow; generating a discharge in said gas flow thereby creating a reactive gas flow of the atmospheric plasma; and directly exposing the coated portion to said reactive gas flow.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of: providing a continuous supply of gas capable of discharge thereby forming a gas flow; generating a discharge in said gas flow thereby creating a reactive gas flow of the atmospheric plasma; and directly exposing the coated portion to said reactive gas flow.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of: providing a continuous supply of gas capable of discharge thereby forming a gas flow; generating a discharge in said gas flow thereby creating a reactive gas flow of the atmospheric plasma; and directly exposing the coated portion to said reactive gas flow.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein high-frequency voltage is used for generating discharge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the brazing material is solder.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the brazing material is solder.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the brazing material is solder.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the brazing material is solder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 32 wherein no flux is used.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 32 wherein a no-rinse flux is used.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 32 wherein one of said first and second components is a glass substrate; and wherein the gas capable of discharge is nitrogen.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus for bonding components together using a brazing material, comprising: a surface-treater, said surface-treater including a discharger for generating discharge in a gas capable of discharge at or about atmospheric pressure thereby creating an atmospheric plasma with active species; at least a portion of a first component being exposed to said atmospheric plasma with active species.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus for bonding components together using a brazing material, comprising: a surface-treater, said surface-treater including a discharger for generating discharge in a gas capable of discharge at or about atmospheric pressure thereby creating an atmospheric plasma with active species; at least a portion of a first component being exposed to said atmospheric plasma with active species.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the gas capable of discharge contains at least an organic substance.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 39 further comprising: a coater for coating an organic substance on the portion prior to being exposed to the atmospheric plasma.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the portion is exposed to the atmospheric plasma at least one of before, during, and after bonding the first component to a second component.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the surface-treater further includes: a port shaped for selecting the portion from the entirety of a surface of the first component for exposure to the atmospheric plasma, thereby leaving areas of said surface not exposed to the atmospheric plasma.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the surface-treater further includes: a port shaped for selecting the portion from the entirety of a surface of the first component for exposure to the atmospheric plasma, thereby leaving areas of said surface not exposed to the atmospheric plasma.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the portion is grounded, and wherein the discharger further includes: an electrode coupleable to a power supply; and wherein the discharge is generated between said electrode and said grounded portion thereby directly exposing the portion to the discharge.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the coated portion is grounded, and wherein the discharger further includes: an electrode coupleable to a power supply; and wherein the discharge is generated between said electrode and said grounded coated portion thereby directly exposing the coated portion to the discharge.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the portion is grounded, and wherein the discharger further includes: an electrode coupleable to a power supply; and wherein the discharge is generated between said electrode and said grounded portion thereby directly exposing the portion to the discharge.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the discharger further includes: a continuous supply of gas capable of discharge forming gas flow, a first electrode coupleable to a power supply, and a second electrode that is grounded; and wherein discharge is generated in said gas flow thereby creating a reactive gas flow of the atmospheric plasma, and wherein the portion is directly exposed to said reactive gas flow.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the discharger further includes: a continuous supply of gas capable of discharge forming a gas flow, a first electrode coupleable to a power supply, and a second electrode that is grounded; and wherein discharge is generated in said gas flow thereby creating a reactive gas flow of the atmospheric plasma, and wherein the coated portion is directly exposed to said reactive gas flow.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the discharger further includes: a continuous supply of gas capable of discharge forming a gas flow, a first electrode coupleable to a power supply, and a second electrode that is grounded; and wherein discharge is generated in said gas flow thereby creating a reactive gas flow of the atmospheric plasma, and wherein the portion is directly exposed to said reactive gas flow.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the discharger further includes: a tube for directing the reactive gas flow, said tube having a nozzle for permitting the reactive gas flow to escape; and wherein the portion is directly exposed to the reactive gas flow escaping the discharger through said nozzle.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the discharger further includes: a tube for directing the reactive gas flow, said tube having a nozzle for permitting the reactive gas flow to escape; and wherein the portion is directly exposed to the reactive gas flow escaping the discharger through said nozzle.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the discharger further includes: a tube for directing the reactive gas flow, said tube having a nozzle for permitting the reactive gas flow to escape; and wherein the portion is directly exposed to the reactive gas flow escaping the discharger through said nozzle.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for integrally bonding two parts to each other with solder, comprising the steps of: providing two parts, each having respective surfaces; introducing a gas into a discharge generator at approximately atmospheric pressure to generate gas discharge and generate active species; transferring the active species generated in the discharge generator into a nozzle section of an atmospheric plasma generation apparatus through a tube in fluid communication with the discharge generator and the nozzle section; irradiating the surfaces with the active species; and then joining the surfaces with solder.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for integrally bonding two parts to each other with solder, comprising the steps of: providing two parts, each having respective surfaces; introducing a gas into a discharge generator at approximately atmospheric pressure to generate gas discharge and generate active species; transferring the active species generated in the discharge generator into a nozzle section of an atmospheric plasma generation apparatus through a tube in fluid communication with the discharge generator and the nozzle section; irradiating the surfaces with the active species; and then joining the surfaces with solder.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 54, wherein the active species include excited molecules and ions.
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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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |