The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 13, 1999
Lu Fang, Whitehall, PA (US);
Brian Dale Potteiger, Reading, PA (US);
Shaun P. Scrak, Souderton, PA (US);
Frederick Arthur Yeagle, Leesport, PA (US);
Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for performing fluxless soldering includes an enclosure having a gas inlet through which an inert gas is introduced to create an inert gas-rich environment. Components are placed in the enclosure via an access port which also functions as a vent for allowing purge gases to vent from the enclosure. In one embodiment, a heating stage is provided in the enclosure which provides sufficient heat to reflow solder provided between two or more components. The inert gas is constantly flowing, or purging the enclosure in order to displace oxygen that would initially be present in the system. The presence of inert gas exclusive of other materials provides an oxygen-free environment, i.e., the inert gases provide a “shield” or environment around the parts to be soldered to inhibit the formation of additional oxides during soldering. The apparatus may also include an optics holder for transmitting light from an external light source into the enclosure, to permit visual alignment of component parts.