Patents by Inventor Joe G. Hoffman

Joe G. Hoffman 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: 6001223
    Abstract: Highly purified ammonia for use in semiconductor manufacturing is prepared on-site by drawing ammonia vapor from a liquid ammonia reservoir, passing the vapor through a filter capable of filtering out particles of less than 0.005 micron in size, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a high-pH aqueous scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Air Liquide America Corporation
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 5846387
    Abstract: Highly purified HCl for use in semiconductor manufacturing is prepared on-site by drawing HCl vapor from a liquid HCl reservoir, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a low-pH aqueous scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Air Liquide Electronics Chemicals & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 5846386
    Abstract: Highly purified ammonia for use in semiconductor manufacturing is prepared on-site by drawing ammonia vapor from a liquid ammonia reservoir, passing the vapor through a filter capable of filtering out particles of less than 0.005 micron in size, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a high-pH aqueous scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Startec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scott Clark
  • Patent number: 5785820
    Abstract: A system for purification and generation of hydrofluoric acid on-site at a semiconductor device fabrication facility. An evaporation stage (optionally with arsenic oxidation) is followed by a fractionating column to remove most other impurities, an Ionic Purifier column to suppress contaminants not removed by the fractionating column, and finally the HF Supplier (HFS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Startec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 5755934
    Abstract: Highly purified ammonia for use in processes for the production of high-precision electronic components is prepared on-site by drawing ammonia vapor from a liquid ammonia reservoir, passing the vapor through a filter capable of filtering out particles of less than 0.005 micron in size, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a high-pH aqueous scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Startec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 5722442
    Abstract: A process for preparing ultra-high-purity buffered hydrofluoric acid on-site at a semiconductor manufacturing facility (front end). Anhydrous ammonia is purified by scrubbing in a high-pH liquor, and then combined with high-purity aqueous HF which has been purified by a similar process. The generation is monitored by a density measurement to produce an acid whose pH and buffering are accurately controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Startec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 5496778
    Abstract: Highly purified ammonia for use in processes for the production of high-precision electronic components is prepared on-site by drawing ammonia vapor from a liquid ammonia reservoir, passing the vapor through a filter capable of filtering out particles of less than 0.005 micron in size, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a high-pH aqueous scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Startec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 5354428
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the distillation of liquids which is particularly suited for the removal of soluble impurities and insoluble and non-volatile particles of 10 microns to 0.2 micron or less in size. A substantially elongated distillation chamber having walls equipped with axially disposed concentric boiling rings spaced from the walls near the bottom, and a packing stop, packing redirector rings for condensed vapor, and a reflux condenser in the upper part of the distillation chamber provide, during distillation, a smooth convective upward flow of distilling liquid and vapor proximate the walls and boiling rings and a smooth convective downward flow of distilling liquid and vapor substantially centrally of the distillation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Athens Corp.
    Inventors: R. Scot Clark, Joe G. Hoffman, John B. Davison, David W. Persichini, Wallace I. Yuan, Bruce A. Lipisko, Alan H. Jones, Alan W. Jones
  • Patent number: 5242468
    Abstract: Semiconductor wafers and other electronic parts which similarly require ultra-high purity manufacturing environments are treated with ultra-high purity liquid cleaning and etching agents prepared at the site of use from gaseous raw materials which have been purified to a level compatible with semiconductor manufacturing standards, combined when appropriate with ultra-pure water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Startec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Scot Clark, Stephen S. Baird, Joe G. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5164049
    Abstract: Method for the production of ultrapure sulfuric acid including distillation of sulfuric acid material for the removal of soluble impurities and insoluble and non-volatile particles of 10 microns to 0.2 micron or less in size. Reprocessing is also provided. Distillation takes place in a distillation chamber having walls which are provided with means within the chamber to provide smooth convective upward flow of distilling liquid and vapor proximate the walls and means for smooth convective downward flow substantially centrally of the distillation chamber. Redirection means and packing together with reflux means insure the washing of rising vapor and direct the condensing vapor substantially centrally of the distillation chamber. Ultrapure sulfuric acid is also provided having 5 or less particles per cubic centimeter of a size of 0.5 micron and larger and less than 10 ppb of any specific trace impurity such as cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Athens Corporation
    Inventors: R. Scot Clark, John B. Davison, David W. Persichini, Wallace I. Yuan, Bruce A. Lipisko, Alan W. Jones, Allen H. Jones, Jr., Joe G. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4855023
    Abstract: An improved wafer cleaning process wherein a novel oxidant solution comprising ultrapure sulfuric acid, peroxydisulfuric acid, and ultrapure water used in a semiconductor wafer cleaning process is continuously withdrawn after use. The withdrawn oxidant is reprocessed continuously by contacting with alumina to remove fluoride ions. Water is continuously separated or stripped from the oxidant solution by heating the solution and bubbling an inert gas therethrough. The separated oxidant is continuously distilled and condensed to form a purified stream of sulfuric acid. The major portion of this stream is continuously returned to the wafer cleaning process. The remaining minor portion is continuously cooled, subjected to analysis for purity, and diluted with ultrapure water prior to electrochemical treatment in the anode compartment of an electrochemical cell. This converts at least a portion of the dilute sulfuric acid to peroxydisulfuric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Athens, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Scot Clark, Joe G. Hoffman, John B. Davison, Alan W. Jones, Allen H. Jones, Jr., David W. Persichini, Wallace I. Yuan, Bruce A. Lipisko
  • Patent number: 4828660
    Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for the repurification of ultrapure liquids. An oxidant solution comprising ultrapure sulfuric acid, peroxydisulfuric acid, and ultrapure water is continuously withdrawn from a process after use. The withdrawn oxidant is reprocessed continuously by contacting with alumina to remove fluoride ions. Water is continuously separated or stripped from the oxidant solution by heating the solution and bubbling an inert gas therethrough causing the water to vaporize from the solution. The separated oxidant is continuously distilled and condensed to form a purified stream of sulfuric acid. The major portion of this stream is continuously returned to the process. The remaining minor portion is continuously cooled, subjected to analysis for purity, and diluted with ultrapure water. The diluted sulfuric acid is further cooled prior to electrochemical treatment in the anode compartment of an electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Athens Corporation
    Inventors: R. Scot Clark, Joe G. Hoffman, John B. Davison, Alan W. Jones, Allen H. Jones, Jr., David W. Persichini, Wallace I. Yuan, Bruce A. Lipisko
  • Patent number: RE36290
    Abstract: Semiconductor wafers and other electronic parts which similarly require ultra-high purity manufacturing environments are treated with ultra-high purity liquid cleaning and etching agents prepared at the site of use from gaseous raw materials which have been purified to a level compatible with semiconductor manufacturing standards, combined when appropriate with ultra-pure water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Air Liquide Electronics Chemicals & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Scot Clark, Stephen S. Baird, Joe G. Hoffman