Heating – Work chamber having heating means – Having means by which work is progressed or moved mechanically
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-14
2001-10-23
Wilson, Gregory (Department: 3749)
Heating
Work chamber having heating means
Having means by which work is progressed or moved mechanically
C432S128000, C414S153000, C034S209000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305930
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and method for heating components e.g., electronic components and the like.
More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and method for heating components in a series of steps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many instances, steps or methods of heating components or devices, such as the heating of electronic components during various fabrication processes, are included in assembly lines and the like. The heating process may include a relatively high heat for an extended period of time, a plurality of steps requiring different temperatures, etc. In the past, ovens for heating processes were generally horizontal and required large or extended areas of an assembly line. Also, because of the large horizontal area, it was difficult and expensive to maintain a desired temperature in these ovens.
To reduce the amount of area required by heating ovens in assembly lines and the like, some vertical ovens have been developed. A major problem with vertical ovens is that the heat generated within the oven tends to rise so that the upper portions of the oven are substantially hotter than the lower portions of the oven. Thus, it can be seen that temperatures within vertical ovens are very difficult to control.
A second problem with vertical ovens is the movement of components or devices through the oven. Conveyor belts and the like must be vertical to provide the vertical movement and include many moving parts which can generate particulates. Any dirt or particles worn from the conveyor system will generally fall directly into the components or devices being heated or contaminate the whole system. To overcome this problem, some vertical ovens have been devised with a system that steps the components or devices through the oven. However, these systems have a problem in that they generally must be included within the oven and are, therefore, heated as the oven is heated. As the systems are heated and cooled they expand and this expansion can dramatically change the length of steps that the components or devices are moved and can have a deleterious effect on the operation of the oven. Furthermore, these stepped systems still incorporate moving parts which are in contact and which can generate particulates within the oven. While superior to previous systems, it is desirable to eliminate anything which generates particulates.
Accordingly it is highly desirable to provide apparatus and a method of overcoming these problems and disadvantages.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vertical multiple stage oven.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vertical multiple stage oven with multiple heating stages which can be accurately controlled.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vertical multiple stage oven with a transport system that is clean and can be easily compensated for changing lengths.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vertical multiple stage oven incorporating a plurality of heating stages within a single housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a vertical multiple stage oven including a first plurality of ovens in a vertical arrangement, and a second plurality of ovens in a vertical arrangement positioned adjacent the first plurality of ovens. An access port is provided to the first plurality of ovens and an exit port is provided from the second plurality of ovens. A coupling port couples the first plurality of ovens to the second plurality of ovens. A continuous pathway is defined through the first plurality of ovens and through the second plurality of ovens from the access port, through the coupling port to the exit port. Each oven is sealed from adjacent ovens by trays moving along the pathway.
Also provided is a method of heating components in a plurality of stages including providing a vertical multiple stage oven including a first plurality of ovens in a vertical arrangement, a second plurality of ovens in a vertical arrangement positioned adjacent the first plurality of ovens, and a continuous pathway defined from an access port through the first plurality of ovens, through a coupling port to the second plurality of ovens, and through an exit port from the second plurality of ovens, each of the first plurality of ovens and the second plurality of ovens includes a tray input opening and a tray output opening delineating the pathway with each of the tray input openings and tray output openings having an approximately similar area. Positioning the components on trays, each tray having an area approximately similar to the area of the tray input openings and tray output openings. Each of the trays is then moved in steps along the continuous pathway from the access port to the exit port, at least one of the steps It positioning one of the plurality of trays in one of the tray input openings and tray output openings so as to seal corresponding vertically adjacent ovens in one of the first plurality of ovens and the second plurality of ovens from each other.
REFERENCES:
patent: 185922 (1877-01-01), Houdaille
patent: 270695 (1883-01-01), Phillips
patent: 390010 (1888-09-01), Dew
patent: 1601623 (1926-09-01), Harrison
patent: 2325889 (1943-08-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 2620918 (1952-12-01), Fallon
patent: 2661831 (1953-12-01), Kenney
patent: 2931524 (1960-04-01), Hallenius
patent: 3343656 (1967-09-01), Koepke, Jr. et al.
patent: 3790336 (1974-02-01), Brede, III et al.
patent: 4717339 (1988-01-01), Kersting
patent: 4794863 (1989-01-01), Gates et al.
patent: 5203256 (1993-04-01), Mueller
patent: 5816798 (1998-10-01), Strohmaier
patent: 5941680 (1999-08-01), Strohmaier
patent: 6164961 (2000-12-01), Luscher et al.
patent: 272 054 A1 (1989-09-01), None
patent: 0192 613 (1986-08-01), None
Goltry Michael W.
Parsons Robert A.
Parsons & Goltry
Wilson Gregory
LandOfFree
Vertical multiple stage oven does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vertical multiple stage oven, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vertical multiple stage oven will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2562116