Variable size segmented anode array for electroplating
US4828654A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 9, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K3/241
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An anode used in electroplating is formed by a plurality of individual anode segments. The anode segments are arranged in predetermined patterns. The segments of certain patterns are selectively energized to establish an effective anode size that relates to the size of the article to be electroplated, thereby establishing an electrical field of uniform characteristics to transfer ions from the anode to the article at a uniform deposition rate over the whole surface of the article. By adjusting the effective size of the anode to correspond or relate to the size of the article, the non-uniform deposition rates associated with concentrated localized field are avoided, and the physical size of the electroplating apparatus can be reduced. An electrophoretic ion filter is also placed between the cathode and the article. This ion filter is preferably formed of a plastic porex material, such as porous polypropylene or polyethylene.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.