Abstract Soldering apparatus comprising a sump for receiving molten solder covered with a layer of oil compound. A fountain is disposed centrally in the sump and forms a chamber having an inlet disposed in the molten solder and an upwardly opening outlet disposed centrally in the sump and elevated above the surface of the oil compound. A pump is provided for pulling molten solder in through the inlet and discharging it out the outlet to form a wave over which, for example, printed circuit boards may be passed to solder a plurality of components thereto and form electrical leads between the components. The pump circulates the molten solder through the fountain and out the outlet at a rate sufficient to cause it to spill downwardly around the fountain to pass through the layer of oil compound and carry a sufficient quantity of such oil compound therewith and into the inlet of the fountain to provide a desired ratio of oil compound to solder in the wave.
Soldering apparatus for producing a standing wave formed by a mixture of a selected ratio of oil compound and molten solder, said apparatus comprising: a sump; molten solder in said sump; a layer of oil compound floating on said solder; fountain means in said sump including a passage having an inlet disposed in said molten solder and an upwardly opening outlet disposed above the surface of said oil compound, said inlet being disposed a sufficient distance below the surface of said oil compound such that pumping of said molten solder and oil compound out said outlet at a predetermined rate will cause the stream of molten solder pouring downwardly from said outlet to agitate said oil compound and intermix therewith sufficiently to produce a mixture of said selected ratio at said inlet; and a pump for pumping said mixture through said passage at said predetermined rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
Soldering apparatus for producing a standing wave formed by a mixture of a selected ratio of oil compound and molten solder, said apparatus comprising: a sump; molten solder in said sump; a layer of oil compound floating on said solder; fountain means in said sump including a passage having an inlet disposed in said molten solder and an upwardly opening outlet disposed above the surface of said oil compound, said inlet being disposed a sufficient distance below the surface of said oil compound such that pumping of said molten solder and oil compound out said outlet at a predetermined rate will cause the stream of molten solder pouring downwardly from said outlet to agitate said oil compound and intermix therewith sufficiently to produce a mixture of said selected ratio at said inlet; and a pump for pumping said mixture through said passage at said predetermined rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Soldering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 that includes: baffles arranged in said outlet to interrupt flow of said mixture and provide a uniform wave above said outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Soldering apparatus as set forth in claim 1, that includes: a heater disposed in heat exchange relationship with said sump for heating said molten solder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Soldering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 that includes: a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal walls, said walls including perforations for passage of said solder-and-oil compound to interrupt flow thereof and provide a uniform wave above said outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Soldering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said pump includes a variable-speed drive means for varying the flow rate of said pump to adjust the ratio of solder to oil compound.