Microwave technique for brazing materials
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsMartin Barmatz, Henry W. Jackson, Robert P. Radtke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method enabling controlled selective heating of workpiece components during microwave brazing. Two workpiece components are joined by melting an adhesion interlayer material between the two components. An indication of when the interlayer has melted is provided. The temperature difference across the braze assembly is monitored and adjusted via a feedback loop to reduce stresses in the braze joint resulting in a stronger braze joint.
Claims37
A microwave heating method, comprising:
- aligning an adhesion layer between a first component and a second component;
- selectively microwave heating one of the first component or the second component to a higher temperature than the adhesion layer to melt the adhesion layer while a temperature difference exists across the adhesion layer between the first component and the second component.
A microwave processing method, comprising:
- positioning a diamond component, an interlayer, and a support component such that the interlayer is between the diamond component and the support component;
- selectively heating the interlayer and melting the interlayer, such that the interlayer wets and diffuses into the diamond component and the support component;
- cooling the interlayer to form a braze joint between the diamond component and the support component.
A method of joining a first material to a second material comprising:
- obtaining a first component, an interlayer, and a second component, wherein the interlayer is positioned between the first component and the second component forming a component assembly;
- placing the component assembly in an evacuated environment inside a processing chamber;
- placing a microwave source such that the microwave source produces electric field intensity inside the processing chamber;
- positioning and orienting the component assembly in the precessing chamber to enhance a selective heating of one of the first component or the second component to a higher temperature than the other component;
- using a microwave energy to selectively heat the component assembly in such a way that the interlayer melts forming a braze joint between the second component and the first component;
- obtaining a temperature measurement of a specific portion of the component assembly;
- adjusting the microwave energy to allow gradual controlled cooling of the braze joint.
A microwave heating method, comprising:
- positioning a first component, an interlayer, and a second component such that the interlayer is between the first component and the second component in a quartz tube;
- selectively heating the first component by microwave energy;
- measuring temperature of said first and second components;
- selectively heating the interlayer and melting the interlayer, such that the point when the interlayer partially melts is indicated by a drop in temperature of the first component;
- adjusting the microwave power to gradually heat and cool the first component, the interlayer, and the second component.
A method of indicating onset of melting, comprising:
- heating a multi-component assembly;
- applying a constant pressure to said assembly during heating;
- measuring a strain of the component assembly during heating;
- melting a component in the assembly;
- detecting a change in the strain of the component assembly indicative of the onset of melting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.