Patents by Inventor Norihiko Amikura

Norihiko Amikura 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: 11955356
    Abstract: There is provided a processing system. The processing system comprises: a chamber in which a consumable member is installed; a storage module configured to store the consumable member; a position detection sensor configured to detect a position of the consumable member; a vacuum transfer module connected to the chamber and the storage module, the vacuum transfer module having a transfer robot configured to transfer the consumable member between the chamber and the storage module; and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Masatomo Kita
  • Publication number: 20240047254
    Abstract: A substrate transfer system includes a load lock module, an atmospheric transfer module having a first sidewall adjacent to the load lock module and a second sidewall remote from the load lock module, the atmospheric transfer module being connected to the load lock module, and a substrate transfer robot disposed in the atmospheric transfer module. The substrate transfer robot includes a base configured to reciprocate along the first sidewall, a substrate transfer arm disposed on the base, and a flow rectifier surrounding the base, the flow rectifier being configured, upon movement of the base, to create an obliquely downward air flow in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Toshiaki Toyomaki
  • Publication number: 20240030011
    Abstract: This substrate transfer system is provided with: a load-lock module; an atmospheric transfer module having a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a third sidewall, the first sidewall extending along a first direction and connected to the load-lock module, the second sidewall extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the third sidewall being disposed on an opposite side of the second sidewall; a first load port extending outward from the second sidewall along the first direction; and a second load port extending outward from the third sidewall along the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Toshiaki TOYOMAKI, Norihiko AMIKURA, Seiichi KAISE, Masatomo KITA
  • Patent number: 11862506
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a substrate processing module, an atmospheric substrate transfer module, a first and a second vacuum substrate transfer module, a load lock module, and a vacuum substrate transfer robot. The first vacuum substrate transfer module having a first transfer space is disposed adjacent to the atmospheric substrate transfer module and the substrate processing module. The second vacuum substrate transfer module, having a second transfer space in communication with the first transfer space and external dimensions smaller than those of the first vacuum substrate transfer module in a plan view, is disposed on or under the first vacuum substrate transfer module. The load lock module is disposed between the atmospheric substrate transfer module and the second vacuum substrate transfer module. The vacuum substrate transfer robot is disposed in the first transfer space or the second transfer space to transfer a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Masatomo Kita
  • Publication number: 20230375371
    Abstract: A measuring system according to an exemplary embodiment acquires a measurement value indicating electrostatic capacitance between a measuring device and a transport fork for transporting the measuring device. The transport fork includes a target electrode. The measuring device includes a first sensor provided on a base board. The first sensor includes a central electrode and peripheral electrodes. The central electrode acquires electrostatic capacitance for reflecting a distance with the target electrode. The peripheral electrodes are disposed around the central electrode to acquire electrostatic capacitance for reflecting an amount of deviation in a horizontal direction with respect to the target electrode of the transport fork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takayuki HATANAKA, Kimihiro YOKOYAMA, Norihiko AMIKURA
  • Patent number: 11791180
    Abstract: A substrate transfer system includes an atmospheric substrate transfer module, a vacuum substrate transfer module, and a load lock module disposed on a side surface of the atmospheric substrate transfer module and disposed on an upper surface or a lower surface of the vacuum substrate transfer module. The load lock module includes a container having a first substrate transfer opening and a second substrate transfer opening, a first gate configured to open or close the first substrate transfer opening, a second gate configured to open or close the second substrate transfer opening, and a substrate actuator configured to vertically move a substrate through the second substrate transfer opening between a first position in the container and a second position in the vacuum substrate transfer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Masahiro Dogome, Masatomo Kita
  • Patent number: 11742188
    Abstract: A substrate processing method is provided. In the method, a process gas is supplied into a chamber. A pressure in the chamber is controlled to a first pressure by evacuating the chamber via a first exhaust line. Then, the pressure in the chamber is controlled to a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure by evacuating the chamber via a second exhaust line while closing the first exhaust line. Next, the pressure in the chamber is controlled to the first pressure by evacuating the chamber via the first exhaust line while closing the second exhaust line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Miura, Norihiko Amikura
  • Patent number: 11705355
    Abstract: A substrate transfer system includes a load lock module, an atmospheric transfer module having a first sidewall adjacent to the load lock module and a second sidewall remote from the load lock module, the atmospheric transfer module being connected to the load lock module, and a substrate transfer robot disposed in the atmospheric transfer module. The substrate transfer robot includes a base configured to reciprocate along the first sidewall, a substrate transfer arm disposed on the base, and a flow rectifier surrounding the base, the flow rectifier being configured, upon movement of the base, to create an obliquely downward air flow in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Toshiaki Toyomaki
  • Patent number: 11698648
    Abstract: A gas supply system includes a first flow channel connected to a first gas source of a first gas, formed inside a ceiling or a sidewall of the treatment container, and communicating with the treatment space through a plurality of first gas discharge holes, a second flow channel connected to a second gas source of a second gas, formed inside the ceiling or the sidewall of the treatment container, and communicating with the treatment space through a plurality of second gas discharge holes, and a plurality of first diaphragm valves, wherein each of the first diaphragm valves is provided between the first flow channel and the first gas discharge hole to correspond to the first gas discharge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Sawachi, Norihiko Amikura
  • Publication number: 20230215753
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a vacuum transfer module; a plasma process module; a transfer robot in the vacuum transfer module; a stage in the plasma process module; a first ring disposed on the stage and a second ring disposed on the first ring to surround a substrate that is placed on the stage, the second ring having an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first ring; actuators to move support pins vertically to raise the first and the second rings and a transfer jig; and a controller configured to selectively execute a simultaneous transfer mode in which the transfer robot is caused to simultaneously transfer the first ring and the second ring and a sole transfer mode in which the transfer robot is caused to transfer only the second ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Masatomo KITA, Toshiyuki MAKABE, Shin MATSUURA, Nobutaka SASAKI, Gyeong min PARK
  • Publication number: 20230160494
    Abstract: A gate valve opens and closes a first opening of a first chamber in a vacuum processing apparatus. The gate valve includes: a valve element configured to open and close the first opening; a drive configured to move the valve element so that the valve element takes at least a closing position, where the valve element closes the first opening, and an opening position, where the valve element opens the first opening; a first gas line and a second gas line; and a first switching valve that connects one of the first gas line and the second gas line to the drive. The drive moves the valve element from the opening position to the closing position by pressure of gas supplied from the first gas line or the second gas line, and holds the valve element at the closing position by pressure of gas supplied from the second gas line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Masatomo KITA
  • Patent number: 11644121
    Abstract: A gas inspection method includes: inputting a signal for opening a secondary valve; measuring, by a secondary pressure gauge, a pressure P on a downstream side of an orifice of a flow rate controller at a time point when a period t elapses from the input of the signal for opening the secondary valve; measuring, by the secondary pressure gauge, a standard deviation ? of the pressure P on the downstream side of the orifice of the flow rate controller at the time point when the period t elapses from the input of the signal for opening the secondary valve; and determining whether or not an open degree of the secondary valve is normal by comparing the pressure P and the standard deviation ? of the pressure P with a threshold value P0 of the pressure and a threshold value ?0 of the standard deviation of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Risako Matsuda, Norihiko Amikura
  • Patent number: 11585717
    Abstract: In a substrate processing system according to an exemplary embodiment, gas supply units are configured to supply gases to chambers through first gas flow channels thereof, respectively. Chamber pressure sensors are configured to measure pressures in the chambers. A second gas flow channel is connected to the first gas flow channel of each of the gas supply units. A reference pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure in the second gas flow channel. In a method according to an exemplary embodiment, each of the chamber pressure sensors is calibrated by using a measurement value thereof and a measurement value of the reference pressure sensor which are obtained in a state where pressures in a corresponding chamber, the first gas flow channel of a corresponding gas supply unit, and the second gas flow channel are maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Risako Matsuda, Norihiko Amikura, Kazuyuki Miura, Keita Shouji
  • Patent number: 11538665
    Abstract: A gas supply system includes first and second gas supply lines, first and second valves, and a controller. The first gas supply line is connected between a process gas source and a substrate processing chamber and has an intermediate node. The second gas supply line is connected between a purge gas source and the intermediate node. The first valve is disposed upstream of the intermediate node on the first gas supply line. The second valve is disposed upstream of the first valve on the first gas supply line. A controller controls the first and second valves to open the first and second valves in a first mode for supplying a process gas from the process gas source to the substrate processing chamber, and close the first and second valves in a second mode for supplying a purge gas from the purge gas source to the substrate processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Atsushi Sawachi, Norihiko Amikura
  • Patent number: 11513541
    Abstract: The method for inspecting the flow rate controller for controlling a flow rate of a fluid includes creating and recording a three-dimensional database in which a first pressure, a set flow rate or a second pressure, and a control value of a piezoelectric element are associated with each other, based on reference data, measuring, as target data, control values of the piezoelectric element corresponding to the first pressure detected by a first pressure detector and the set flow rate specified in a recipe of a substrate processing process or the second pressure detected by a second pressure detector, at the time of the execution of the substrate processing process, and determining whether or not there is a problem in a diaphragm valve, by comparing the target data with the reference data included in the three-dimensional database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Sawachi, Norihiko Amikura
  • Publication number: 20220277981
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a transfer system comprising a transfer robot configured to transfer a transfer target object by an end effector based on an operation instruction, and a controller configured to output the operation instruction to the transfer robot, wherein at least any one of the end effector and the transfer target object has at least any one of a sensor and a camera, the controller calculates a relative position between the end effector and the transfer target object based on at least any one of a detected result of the sensor and a captured result of the camera, and the controller determines a teaching position of the end effector with respect to the transfer target object based on the relative position, and outputs the operation instruction to the transfer robot such that the end effector is disposed at the teaching position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Toshiaki TOYOMAKI, Masatomo KITA
  • Publication number: 20220243336
    Abstract: A storage container for accommodating an annular member having a notch on at least one of an outer circumference and an inner circumference thereof is disclosed. The storage container comprises a base plate on which the annular member is placed. The base plate comprises a plurality of guide pins that protrude from the base plate and are configured to position the annular member. The plurality of guide pins include a pin engaged with the notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Masatomo KITA, Toshiyuki MAKABE
  • Publication number: 20220148858
    Abstract: A substrate processing system is disclosed. The system comprises a first chamber having a first substrate transfer port; a second chamber having a second substrate transfer port and configured to perform substrate processing; a connecting member that allows the first substrate transfer port and the second substrate transfer port to communicate with each other; a heat shield portion disposed along the second transfer port in cross-sectional view and configured to thermally block the first chamber and the second chamber from each other; and a protective member disposed between the heat shield portion and the second transfer port and configured to prevent deterioration of the heat shield portion during substrate processing in the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke Hayashi, Norihiko Amikura
  • Publication number: 20220148857
    Abstract: There is provided a detection device for detecting position misalignment of an object to be transferred with respect to a transfer mechanism. The detection device comprises: an image sensor configured to capture images including the transfer mechanism and the object to be transferred which is held by the transfer mechanism; and a calculation unit configured to calculate an amount of position misalignment including misalignment in a horizontal direction and a rotational direction of the object to be transferred based on the images captured by the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Masatomo KITA
  • Patent number: 11326914
    Abstract: The flow rate measurement method includes: measuring a first pressure of a gas filled in a first flow path connected to a flow rate controller and a second flow path connected to the first flow path; supplying a gas to the first and second flow paths via the flow rate controller and measuring a second pressure and a temperature of the gas filled in the first and second flow paths; after the gas is exhausted from the second flow path, measuring a third pressure of the gas filled in the second flow path; measuring a fourth pressure of the gas filled in the first and second flow paths; and calculating an amount of the gas supplied to the first and second flow paths via the flow rate controller, based on the first, second, third, and fourth pressures and the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Risako Matsuda, Kazuyuki Miura