US6539286B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid level sensor
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1998-01-26
•
Granted: 2003-03-25
•
Expires: 2018-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A fluid level sensor is used in a container in a system for dispensing adhesive used in the formation of electronic devices. The sensor includes a pair of electrical conductors positioned inside the container. A voltage is applied across the conductors to cause a current flow through the fluid in the container. The magnitude of the current flow represents the amount of fluid remaining in the container. If an empty container is detected, the system is shut off.
Inventors
- 👤 Tongbi Jiang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; A; A61; A61M; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/33; A61M2205/3379; A61M2205/3389; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16831; A61M5/1684; H; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/851; H10W72/874; H10W72/884; H10W74/00; H10W90/00; H10W90/701; H10W90/731; H10W90/736; H10W90/751; H10W90/756
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of applying an adhesive onto an electronic device, the method comprising: storing the adhesive in a container having electrical conductors positioned inside the container; applying a voltage across the conductors; measuring current flow through the adhesive to determine the adhesive level in the container; and supplying the adhesive to the electronic device until the adhesive level drops below a predetermined amount.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of applying an adhesive onto an electronic device, the method comprising: storing the adhesive in a container having electrical conductors positioned inside the container; applying a voltage across the conductors; measuring current flow through the adhesive to determine the adhesive level in the container; and supplying the adhesive to the electronic device until the adhesive level drops below a predetermined amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the adhesive comprises storing an electrically conductive adhesive in the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the adhesive in the container having electrical conductors positioned inside the container comprises storing the adhesive in the container having electrical conductors, wherein each of the conductors contains a material selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, and tungsten.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the adhesive comprises storing the adhesive comprising electronically conductive fillers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein storing the adhesive comprises storing the adhesive comprising filler material containing nickel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein storing the adhesive comprises storing the adhesive comprising filler material containing gold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein storing the adhesive comprises storing the adhesive comprising filler material containing silver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein applying a voltage across the conductors comprises applying a varying voltage across the conductors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a resistance value based on the applied voltage and measured current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising: comparing the determined resistance to a threshold resistance to determine if the container is empty.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the voltage comprises applying a voltage based on a conductivity of the adhesive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein storing comprises storing the adhesive in the container having the electrical conductors coated on an inside wall of the container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising supplying the adhesive until the adhesive level drops below the predetermined amount, wherein the predetermined amount is based on the measured current.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for dispensing an adhesive onto an electronic device, comprising: a container adapted to store the adhesive and a port through which the adhesive can flow; electrical conductors positioned inside the container; and a controller adapted to apply a voltage across the electrical conductors, wherein a current is induced through the adhesive, the current being measured to determine a level of the adhesive in the container and to supply the adhesive to the electronic device based on the measured current.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for dispensing an adhesive onto an electronic device, comprising: a container adapted to store the adhesive and a port through which the adhesive can flow; electrical conductors positioned inside the container; and a controller adapted to apply a voltage across the electrical conductors, wherein a current is induced through the adhesive, the current being measured to determine a level of the adhesive in the container and to supply the adhesive to the electronic device based on the measured current.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the current decreases with the amount of adhesive adapted to be stored in the container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein a voltage is applied across the electrical conductors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein each of the conductors contains a material selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, and tungsten.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the electrical conductors comprise a first conductor and a second conductor, and wherein the first and second conductors are of substantially same length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the adhesive is dispensed onto a leadframe in the electronic device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the adhesive flow is stopped when the detected adhesive level drops below a predetermined level.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the controller compares a determined resistance to a threshold resistance to determine if more adhesive is desired.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for detecting a level of an adhesive inside a container, comprising: electrical conductors positioned inside the container; a controller electrically coupled to the electrical conductors to apply a voltage to the conductors; a measurement device configured to measure current flow through the adhesive capable of being stored inside the container to determine the adhesive level and a port to provide the adhesive to a device until the measured current is a preselected value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for detecting a level of an adhesive inside a container, comprising: electrical conductors positioned inside the container; a controller electrically coupled to the electrical conductors to apply a voltage to the conductors; a measurement device configured to measure current flow through the adhesive capable of being stored inside the container to determine the adhesive level and a port to provide the adhesive to a device until the measured current is a preselected value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein each of the electrical conductors is coated to a corresponding inner wall of the container.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the electrical conductors include probes placed inside the container.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the adhesive is electrically conductive.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the adhesive contains an electronically conductive filler.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the adhesive includes a material selected from a group consisting of a thermoset compound, a thermoplastic compound, and a mixture of thermoset and thermoplastic compounds.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the controller applies the voltage based on a conductivity of the adhesive.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the controller determines a resistance value based on the applied voltage and measured current.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
54 words
A method, comprising: allowing application of a voltage across electrical conductors positioned inside a container capable of storing an adhesive; enabling measuring current flow through the adhesive to determine a adhesive level in the container; and enabling supplying the adhesive to an electronic device in response to measuring the current flow through the adhesive.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
54 words
A method, comprising: allowing application of a voltage across electrical conductors positioned inside a container capable of storing an adhesive; enabling measuring current flow through the adhesive to determine a adhesive level in the container; and enabling supplying the adhesive to an electronic device in response to measuring the current flow through the adhesive.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein enabling supplying the adhesive to the electronic device in response to measuring the current flow comprises enabling supplying the adhesive to the electronic device until the adhesive level drops below a predetermined amount.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30 , further comprising enabling determining a resistance value based on the applied voltage and measured current.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 32 , further comprising enabling comparison of the determined resistance to a threshold resistance to determine if the container is empty.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus comprising: conductors positioned inside a container; a controller communicatively coupled to the conductors to apply a voltage to the conductor; and a device to detect presence of current through an adhesive inside the container to determine a level of the adhesive and to supply the adhesive to a device based on the determined adhesive level.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus comprising: conductors positioned inside a container; a controller communicatively coupled to the conductors to apply a voltage to the conductor; and a device to detect presence of current through an adhesive inside the container to determine a level of the adhesive and to supply the adhesive to a device based on the determined adhesive level.
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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) | 2006-03-24 | 2006-09-23 | 2007-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-24 | 2010-09-23 | 2011-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-24 | 2014-09-23 | 2015-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |