Closed-loop bubble elimination system and methods for applying a conformal coating material to a substrate
AssigneeNordson Corporation
InventorsPatrick Hogan, Gareth De Sanctis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for applying a conformal coating material to a substrate, such as an electronic component or circuit board. The systems and methods rely on a pressure-regulated fluid circulation loop connecting an outlet of a pump with an inlet of a pump and an applicator that is connected in fluid communication with the fluid circulation loop. Amounts of the conformal coating material dispensed by the applicator, which are diverted from the fluid circulation loop, may be replenished by fresh amounts supplied from a non-pressurized reservoir, which are siphoned by the pump into the fluid circulation loop.
Claims25
A system for applying a conformal coating material to a substrate, the system comprising:
- a pump having a first inlet and an outlet, said pump configured to pump the conformal coating material from said first inlet to said outlet;
- a fluid regulator having an inlet connected to said outlet of the pump and an outlet connected to said first inlet of said pump such that a fluid circulation loop is defined from said outlet of said pump through said fluid regulator to said first inlet of said pump;
- and
- an applicator connected in fluid communication with the fluid circulation loop to receive at least a portion of the conformal coating material, said applicator configured to dispense amounts of the conformal coating material received from the fluid circulation loop onto the substrate.
A system for applying a conformal coating material to a substrate, the system comprising:
- a pump having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet connected to said first inlet by a fluid circulation loop, said pump configured to pump the conformal coating material from said first inlet and said second inlet through the circulation loop to said outlet;
- an applicator connected in fluid communication with the fluid circulation loop to receive at least a portion of the conformal coating material, said applicator configured to dispense amounts of the conformal coating material received from the fluid circulation loop onto the substrate;
- and
- a non-pressurized reservoir configured to contain a bulk supply of the conformal coating material, said pump configured to siphon the conformal coating material from said non-pressurized reservoir into said second inlet to replace the amounts of the conformal coating material dispensed by said applicator.
A method of applying a conformal coating material to a substrate, the method comprising:
- circulating the conformal coating material in a fluid circulation loop connecting an outlet of a pump with a first inlet of a pump;
- regulating a pressure of the conformal coating material circulating in the fluid circulation loop;
- diverting at least a portion of the conformal coating material from the fluid circulation loop to an applicator;
- and
- dispensing amounts of the conformal coating material from the applicator onto the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.