Patent US4011982A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4011982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Surface joining by bonding of metal and deposited metal
Assignee: Airco Inc
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Filing: 1975-09-15
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Granted: 1977-03-15
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Expires: 1995-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A method is described for joining first and second surfaces by depositing a layer of metal on the first surface, preparing the second surface to expose fresh metal, placing the deposited metal and the exposed metal in contact, and applying sufficient pressure to join the surfaces, all done in a protective environment, such as vacuum. Also described is a related apparatus comprising an evacuable chamber, an electron-beam heated vapor source, and a pair of rollers for contacting and applying pressure to join the surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Marancik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:25
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K15/00; B23K15/0046; B23K20/00; B23K20/04; B23K20/14; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/16; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/02; B23K2103/04; B23K2103/05; B23K2103/08; B23K2103/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of joining a first surface of a first continuous strip and a second surface of a second continuous strip, comprising: placing the first surface and the second surface in a vacuum environment; vacuum vapor depositing a metal layer on the first surface; preparing the second surface in vacuum to expose fresh metal; continuously placing the deposited metal and the exposed metal in contact in vacuum; and, still in vacuum, applying pressure to the contacted metal sufficient to join the surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of joining a first surface of a first continuous strip and a second surface of a second continuous strip, comprising: placing the first surface and the second surface in a vacuum environment; vacuum vapor depositing a metal layer on the first surface; preparing the second surface in vacuum to expose fresh metal; continuously placing the deposited metal and the exposed metal in contact in vacuum; and, still in vacuum, applying pressure to the contacted metal sufficient to join the surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 in which the protective environment is a vacuum of pressure less than 10.sup. -4 Torr.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 in which the metal layer on the first surface is vapor deposited by electron-beam heated evaporation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 in which the second surface is prepared by vapor depositing a metal layer by electron-beam heated evaporation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which the protective environment is a vacuum of pressure less than 10.sup. -2 Torr and the metal layer is deposited by sputtering.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of joining two continuous strips, comprising the following steps in the order stated: placing the strips in a vacuum of pressure less than 10.sup. -4 Torr; vacuum vapor depositing a metal layer on each strip by electron-beam heated evaporation; placing the deposited layers in contact in vacuum; and, still in vacuum, passing the strips between two rollers which apply pressure sufficient to join the strips.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of joining two continuous strips, comprising the following steps in the order stated: placing the strips in a vacuum of pressure less than 10.sup. -4 Torr; vacuum vapor depositing a metal layer on each strip by electron-beam heated evaporation; placing the deposited layers in contact in vacuum; and, still in vacuum, passing the strips between two rollers which apply pressure sufficient to join the strips.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 in which the metal deposited is aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein each of the two continuous strips is a metal strip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 in which one of the strips is aluminum, further comprising: heating the aluminum strip to a temperature above about 205° C before depositing the aluminum layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8 in which one of the strips is stainless steel, further comprising, heating the stainless steel strip to a temperature greater than about 260° C before depositing the aluminum layer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for joining a first surface of a first continuous strip and a second surface of a second continuous strip, comprising: a chamber for providing a vacuum environment; metal deposition means inside the chamber for depositing a metal layer on the first surface; means inside the chamber for preparing the second surface to expose fresh metal; and means inside the chamber for continuously placing the deposited metal and the exposed metal in contact and applying pressure sufficient to join the surfaces.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for joining a first surface of a first continuous strip and a second surface of a second continuous strip, comprising: a chamber for providing a vacuum environment; metal deposition means inside the chamber for depositing a metal layer on the first surface; means inside the chamber for preparing the second surface to expose fresh metal; and means inside the chamber for continuously placing the deposited metal and the exposed metal in contact and applying pressure sufficient to join the surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 11; the metal deposition means comprises an electron-beam heated vapor source, and the second surface preparation means comprises an electron-beam heated vapor source for depositing a metal layer on the second surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: means for heating the first surface and the second surface prior to the deposition of the metal layers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising: means for heating the first surface prior to the deposition of the metal layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-14 | 1980-09-13 | 1981-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-14 | 1984-09-13 | 1985-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-14 | 1988-09-13 | 1989-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |