Patents by Inventor Chris Melcer

Chris Melcer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7459003
    Abstract: A space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The invention pertains to a diffusion bonded integrated fluid flow network architecture, which includes, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, an in-line filter and may include various fluid handling and monitoring components. The integrated fluid delivery system that is formed from a layered substrate is diffusion bonded, and the various fluid handling and monitoring components may be partially integrated or fully integrated into the substrate, depending on design and material requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John W. Lane, Micahel DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe N. Mohammed
  • Patent number: 7448276
    Abstract: A diffusion bonded space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The disclosure includes an integrated fluid flow network architecture, which may include, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, various fluid handling and monitoring components. A capacitive dual electrode pressure sensor which is integrated into a multilayered substrate is described. The pressure sensor may be used as a gage relative to atmospheric pressure if desired for a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John W. Lane, Micahel DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe N. Mohammed
  • Patent number: 7437944
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for controlling mix ratio of gas supplied to a processing chamber integrated with chamber pressure. In one embodiment, an integrated controller is used to adjust mix ratio and chamber pressure. In one embodiment, the mix ratio and chamber pressure may be adjusted using a flow sensor and a control valve disposed in each gas supply line. In one embodiment, the flow sensor used in each gas supply line is insensitive to upstream pressure perturbations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Melcer, John Lane
  • Publication number: 20070226973
    Abstract: A space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The fluid delivery system includes an integrated fluid flow network architecture, which may include, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, various fluid handling and monitoring components. The layered substrate is diffusion bonded, and the various fluid handling and monitoring components may be partially integrated or fully integrated into the substrate, depending on design and material requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John Lane, Michael DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20070204702
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for controlling mix ratio of gas supplied to a processing chamber integrated with chamber pressure. In one embodiment, an integrated controller is used to adjust mix ratio and chamber pressure. In one embodiment, the mix ratio and chamber pressure may be adjusted using a flow sensor and a control valve disposed in each gas supply line. In one embodiment, the flow sensor used in each gas supply line is insensitive to upstream pressure perturbations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Chris Melcer, John Lane
  • Publication number: 20070200082
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The present invention also pertains to an integrated fluid flow network architecture, which may include, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, various fluid handling and monitoring components. The layered substrate is diffusion bonded, and the various fluid handling and monitoring components may be partially integrated or fully integrated into the substrate, depending on design and material requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John Lane, Michael DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20070113663
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The present invention also pertains to an integrated fluid flow network architecture, which may include, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, various fluid handling and monitoring components. The layered substrate is diffusion bonded, and the various fluid handling and monitoring components may be partially integrated or fully integrated into the substrate, depending on design and material requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John Lane, Michael DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe Mohammed
  • Patent number: 7204155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gas control is provided. The apparatus may be used for controlling gases delivered to a chamber, controlling the chamber pressure, controlling the delivery of backside gas between a substrate and substrate support and the like. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling gas control includes at least a first flow sensor having a control valve, a first pressure sensor and at least a second pressure sensor. An inlet of the first flow sensor is adapted for coupling to a gas supply. A control valve is coupled to an outlet of the flow sensor. The first pressure sensor is adapted to sense a metric indicative of the pressure upstream of the first flow sensor. The second pressure sensor is adapted to sense a metric indicative of the pressure downstream of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lane, Ralph H. M. Straube, Chris Melcer
  • Publication number: 20070062021
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The present invention also pertains to an integrated fluid flow network architecture, which may include, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, various fluid handling and monitoring components. The layered substrate is diffusion bonded, and the various fluid handling and monitoring components may be partially integrated or fully integrated into the substrate, depending on design and material requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John Lane, Micahel DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20070062909
    Abstract: Described is a space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The system includes integrated fluid flow network architecture, and may include, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, various fluid handling and monitoring components. The layered substrate is diffusion bonded. Subsequent to diffusion bonding, a stainless steel diffusion bonded part may advantageously be treated to enhance corrosion resistance using a series of steps designed to bring more chromium to the surface of the steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John Lane, Michael DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20070051080
    Abstract: A space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The invention pertains to a diffusion bonded integrated fluid flow network architecture, which includes, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, an in-line filter and may include various fluid handling and monitoring components. The integrated fluid delivery system that is formed from a layered substrate is diffusion bonded, and the various fluid handling and monitoring components may be partially integrated or fully integrated into the substrate, depending on design and material requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John Lane, Michael DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20060243060
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gas control is provided. The apparatus may be used for controlling gases delivered to a chamber, controlling the chamber pressure, controlling the delivery of backside gas between a substrate and substrate support and the like. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling gas control includes at least a first flow sensor having a control valve, a first pressure sensor and at least a second pressure sensor. An inlet of the first flow sensor is adapted for coupling to a gas supply. A control valve is coupled to an outlet of the flow sensor. The first pressure sensor is adapted to sense a metric indicative of the pressure upstream of the first flow sensor. The second pressure sensor is adapted to sense a metric indicative of the pressure downstream of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: John Lane, Ralph Straube, Chris Melcer
  • Patent number: 7089134
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for analyzing gas flow in a gas transmission unit of a gas panel that includes: (a) monitoring a measure of gas flow output from a mass flow controller included in the gas transmission unit; (b) monitoring a measure of gas pressure output from a pressure regulator included in the gas transmission unit; and (c) analyzing the measure of gas flow and the measure of gas pressure to determine whether gas flow is stable in the gas transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. Barros, Raul A. Martin, Russell T. Norman, Chris Melcer
  • Publication number: 20050120805
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gas control is provided. The apparatus may be used for controlling gases delivered to a chamber, controlling the chamber pressure, controlling the delivery of backside gas between a substrate and substrate support and the like. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling gas control includes at least a first flow sensor having a control valve, a first pressure sensor and at least a second pressure sensor. An inlet of the first flow sensor is adapted for coupling to a gas supply. A control valve is coupled to an outlet of the flow sensor. The first pressure sensor is adapted to sense a metric indicative of the pressure upstream of the first flow sensor. The second pressure sensor is adapted to sense a metric indicative of the pressure downstream of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: John Lane, Ralph Straube, Chris Melcer
  • Patent number: 6878037
    Abstract: A CMP slurry pumping system and method which uses the slurry pump inlet pressure as input to the pump controller, and the controller adjusts pump speed to account for variations in inlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Strasbaugh
    Inventor: Chris Melcer
  • Publication number: 20040142636
    Abstract: A CMP slurry pumping system and method which uses the slurry pump inlet pressure as input to the pump controller, and the controller adjusts pump speed to account for variations in inlet pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Strasbaugh
    Inventor: Chris Melcer
  • Publication number: 20040143404
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for analyzing gas flow in a gas transmission unit of a gas panel that includes: (a) monitoring a measure of gas flow output from a mass flow controller included in the gas transmission unit; (b) monitoring a measure of gas pressure output from a pressure regulator included in the gas transmission unit; and (c) analyzing the measure of gas flow and the measure of gas pressure to determine whether gas flow is stable in the gas transmission unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. Barros, Raul A. Martin, Russell T. Norman, Chris Melcer
  • Publication number: 20040119038
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a space-conserving integrated fluid delivery system which is particularly useful for gas distribution in semiconductor processing equipment. The present invention also pertains to an integrated fluid flow network architecture, which may include, in addition to a layered substrate containing fluid flow channels, various fluid handling and monitoring components. The layered substrate is diffusion bonded, and the various fluid handling and monitoring components may be partially integrated or fully integrated into the substrate, depending on design and material requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Crockett, John W. Lane, Michael J. DeChellis, Chris Melcer, Erica R. Porras, Aneesh Khullar, Balarabe N. Mohammed
  • Patent number: 6595829
    Abstract: A CMP slurry pumping system and method which uses the slurry pump inlet pressure as input to the pump controller, and the controller adjusts pump speed to account for variations in inlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Stragbaugh
    Inventor: Chris Melcer
  • Patent number: 6183341
    Abstract: A CMP slurry pumping system which uses the slurry pump inlet pressure as input to the pump controller, and adjusts pump speed to account for variations in inlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Strasbaugh, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Melcer