Patent ID: 8579182
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: B23K,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method for providing an inerting gas atmosphere during wave soldering of a work piece, the method comprising: providing a wave soldering machine comprising: a solder reservoir having molten solder contained therein, at least one nozzle, and at least one pump to generate at least one solder wave from the molten solder bath upwardly through the nozzle; placing an apparatus atop at least one edge of the solder reservoir wherein the apparatus comprises at least one opening on a top surface, at least one groove that rests atop the at least one edge of the solder reservoir, and at least one tube comprising one or more openings in fluid communication with an inerting gas source, wherein the work piece and the top surface of the molten solder define an area that contains an atmosphere; passing the work piece along a path so that at least a portion of the work piece contacts the at least one solder wave emitting through the opening of the apparatus; and introducing an inerting gas through the at least one tube into the atmosphere, wherein the at least one tube resides in an enclosure; wherein the enclosure comprises a base comprising an interior volume in fluid communication with an inerting gas source, a neck comprising an interior volume and an neck opening in fluid communication with the base, and a cap proximal to the neck opening, wherein the at least one tube residing in the enclosure is housed within the base; wherein the inerting gas travels through the at least one tube into the interior volume of the base, through the neck and is directed into the atmosphere by the cap; wherein the neck has a top surface; wherein the cap has a bottom surface; and wherein the bottom surface is facing the top surface and the bottom surface has a larger surface area than the top surface.