Closed-loop dual-cycle printed circuit board cleaning apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for cleaning electronic assemblies comprising:
- a tank for receiving the assemblies for cleaning,a first fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a first cleaning fluid to immerse the assemblies,a first fluid drain aperture defined in the tank for draining the first cleaning fluid from the tank,a second fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a second cleaning fluid to immerse the assemblies,a second fluid drain aperture separate from the first fluid drain aperture, and defined in the tank for draining the second cleaning fluid from the tank,a first fluid drain conduit in communication with the tank at the first fluid drain aperture,a second fluid drain conduit in communication with the tank at the second fluid drain aperture,shutoff means for preventing the first fluid from entering the second conduit and the second fluid from entering the first conduit, andan ultrasonic generator operably connected to the tank for transmitting ultrasonic energy through the fluid therein to facilitate cleaning the assemblies.
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Abstract
A cleaning apparatus and method for washing and rinsing electronic assemblies. The apparatus includes a single closable chamber for containing a single tank with attached ultrasonic transducers. Separate wash and rinse fluid circuits each are arranged to fill the tank, to drain fluid from the tank, and to recondition the fluid for reuse. To permit the safe use of combustible solvents, an inert gas purge system evacuates oxygen and combustible vapors from areas with potential electrical ignition sources.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. An apparatus for cleaning electronic assemblies comprising:
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a tank for receiving the assemblies for cleaning, a first fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a first cleaning fluid to immerse the assemblies, a first fluid drain aperture defined in the tank for draining the first cleaning fluid from the tank, a second fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a second cleaning fluid to immerse the assemblies, a second fluid drain aperture separate from the first fluid drain aperture, and defined in the tank for draining the second cleaning fluid from the tank, a first fluid drain conduit in communication with the tank at the first fluid drain aperture, a second fluid drain conduit in communication with the tank at the second fluid drain aperture, shutoff means for preventing the first fluid from entering the second conduit and the second fluid from entering the first conduit, and an ultrasonic generator operably connected to the tank for transmitting ultrasonic energy through the fluid therein to facilitate cleaning the assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for cleaning electronic assemblies comprising:
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a tank for receiving the assemblies for cleaning and defining a first fluid drain aperture and a separate second fluid drain aperture, a first fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a first cleaning fluid to immerse the assemblies, a first fluid drain in communication with the tank at the first aperture for draining the first cleaning fluid from the tank, a first fluid circuit communicating between the first fluid drain and the first fluid source for recycling the first fluid, a second fluid source separate from the first fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a second fluid to immerse the assemblies, a second fluid drain in communication with the tank at the second aperture for draining the second fluid from the tank, and a second fluid circuit communicating between the second fluid drain and the second fluid source for recycling the second fluid, and an ultrasonic generator operably connected to the tank for transmitting ultrasonic energy through the fluid therein to facilitate cleaning the assemblies such that each fluid drain, each circuit and each source is dedicated to a single fluid type whereby the tank is the only element that normally contacts both fluid types. - View Dependent Claims (24, 26)
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25. An apparatus for cleaning electronic assemblies comprising:
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a tank for receiving the assemblies for cleaning, a first fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a first cleaning fluid to immerse the assemblies, a first fluid drain in communication with the tank for draining the first cleaning fluid from the tank, a second fluid source in communication with the tank for filling the tank with a second cleaning fluid to immerse the assemblies, a second fluid drain separate from the first fluid drain in communication with the tank for draining the second cleaning fluid from the tank, a first fluid circuit communicating between the first fluid drain and the first fluid source for recycling the first fluid, a second fluid circuit independent of the first fluid circuit for communicating between the second fluid drain and the second fluid source for recycling the second fluid, and shutoff means for selectably closing each fluid drain such that the first fluid does not flow through the second drain, and the second fluid does not flow through the first drain. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An apparatus for cleaning electronic assemblies comprising:
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a tank having an interior suitable for receiving the assemblies, a pair of separate, selectably openable drains defined in the tank, each drain connected with a separate fluid circuit for recycling fluid drained from the tank, and a sparge positioned adjacent to the tank for blowing gas into the tank interior to blow fluid droplets toward the drains to minimize the quantity of fluid remaining on the assemblies and within the tank, such that when different fluids are alternately employed within the tank, cross contamination of subsequently employed fluid by remaining droplets is minimized.
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33. An apparatus for cleaning electronic assemblies comprising:
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a tank for receiving the assemblies, a jacket attached to the tank and defining therewith an enclosed space, and an ultrasonic transducer positioned within the jacket and connected to the tank for transmission of ultrasonic energy there to, such that flammable vapors may not enter the enclosed space to hazardously encounter the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A method of cleaning electronic assemblies comprising the steps:
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placing the assemblies in a tank, pumping a wash fluid into the tank from a wash fluid source, directing ultrasonic energy to the tank, opening a first drain for draining the wash fluid from the tank, pumping a rinse fluid into the tank from a rinse fluid source separate from the wash fluid source, and opening a second drain for draining the rinse fluid from the tank, such that the assemblies are fully washed and rinsed while in a single tank and the fluids employed may be separately recovered for reuse with minimal cross-contamination. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of cleaning electronic assemblies comprising the steps:
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placing the assemblies in a tank, pumping a wash fluid from a wash fluid reservoir into the tank, draining the wash fluid from the tank via a first drain to the wash fluid reservoir, pumping a rinse fluid from a rinse fluid reservoir separate from the wash fluid reservoir and into the tank, and draining the rinse fluid from the tank via a second drain separate from the first drain to the rinse fluid reservoir, such that the assemblies are cleaned while in a single tank, and the cleaning fluids are recycled. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. An apparatus for cleaning electronic assemblies comprising:
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a tank for receiving the assemblies, an ultrasonic transducer attached to the tank, a housing containing the transducer and connected to a source of inert gas such that the housing may be purged to safely permit use of flammable solvents in the tank, a pair of separate, closed-loop fluid circuits, each for circulating a separate volume of fluid, each in communication with the tank and including shutoff means for preventing fluid in the first circuit from entering the second circuit, and fluid in the second circuit from entering the first circuit, and a sparge having gas outlets directed into the tank for blowing excess fluid droplets from the tank and assemblies to reduce fluid waste and cross contamination.
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Specification