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: 10031007
    Abstract: A gas, whose flow rate is adjusted by a flow rate controller as a measurement target, is supplied into a processing vessel in a state that a third valve of the gas supply system provided at an upstream side of the processing vessel is opened. While the gas is continuously supplied, the third valve is closed after a pressure measurement value of a pressure gauge within a flow rate controller for pressure measurement is stabilized. After the third valve is closed, an output flow rate of the flow rate controller as the measurement target is calculated from a previously known volume of the gas supply system in which the gas supplied through the flow rate controller as the measurement target is collected and a rise rate of the pressure measurement value of the pressure gauge within the flow rate controller for pressure measurement with respect to time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Risako Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20180180509
    Abstract: Leaks in valves provided in a plurality of pipes connected to a plurality of gas sources are inspected. In a method of an embodiment, a first valve provided in a first pipe connected to a gas source is closed, and a second valve provided in a first pipe on a downstream side of the first valve is opened. A pressure increase is detected by a pressure gauge on a downstream side of the first pipe. In addition, the first valve is opened, and the second valve is closed. A pressure increase is detected by a pressure gauge on a downstream side of the first pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Atsushi SAWACHI, Norihiko AMIKURA
  • Publication number: 20180122620
    Abstract: Processing gases respectively supplied from multiple gas supply lines into a processing vessel can be switched at a high speed in a uniform manner. A plasma processing apparatus includes the processing vessel configured to perform therein a plasma process to a target substrate; and a gas inlet member including first gas discharge holes and second gas discharge holes which are alternately arranged to be adjacent to each other and respectively communicate with a first gas supply line and a second gas supply line, which are switchable. Further, the first gas discharge holes and the second gas discharge holes independently and respectively introduce a first processing gas and a second processing gas, which are respectively supplied from the first gas supply line and the second gas supply line and used in the plasma process, into the processing vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Norikazu SASAKI, Atsushi SAWACHI
  • Publication number: 20180073911
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect includes a first step of connecting a reference device to the other end of a connecting pipe, a second step of supplying a gas from one flow controller into piping, a third step of acquiring measured values of a first pressure gauge and a first thermometer, a fourth step of supplying a portion of the gas in piping into a tank, a fifth step of acquiring measured values of the first pressure gauge and the first thermometer or measured values of a second pressure gauge and a second thermometer, and a sixth step of using a Boyle-Charles' law to calculate a volume of the piping on the basis of the measured values acquired in the third step, the measured values acquired in the fifth step, and a volume of a closed space including a space in the tank when the third valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Risako MIYOSHI
  • Patent number: 9904299
    Abstract: A gas supply control method uses a pressure control flowmeter and first and second valves provided upstream and downstream, respectively, of the pressure control flowmeter in a gas supply line. The pressure control flowmeter includes a control valve and an orifice. The gas supply control method includes maintaining a pressure P1 of a first gas supply pipe between the orifice and the control valve and a pressure P2 of a second gas supply pipe between the orifice and the second valve so as to satisfy P1>2×P2. The supply of gas is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the second valve with the first valve being open and the control valve being controlled. A volume V1 of the first gas supply pipe and a volume V2 of the second gas supply pipe have a relationship of V1/V2?9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kumiko Ono, Hiroshi Tsujimoto, Atsushi Sawachi, Norihiko Amikura, Norikazu Sasaki, Yoshitaka Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20180053637
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for inspecting a shower plate of a plasma processing apparatus. In the plasma processing apparatus, a gas ejection unit includes a shower plate. A plurality of gas ejection holes are formed on the shower plate. This method includes (i) setting a flow rate of gas output from a first flow rate controller, and (ii) acquiring a measurement value indicating a pressure in a flow path inside a second pressure control type flow rate controller by using a pressure gauge of the second flow rate controller in a state where the gas output from the first flow rate controller at the set flow rate is supplied to the gas ejection unit and branched between the first flow rate controller and the gas ejection unit so as to be supplied to the flow path inside the second flow rate controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Risako MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20180012735
    Abstract: A gas supply system includes: a first flow channel connecting a first gas source and a chamber; a second flow channel connecting a second gas source and the first flow channel; a control valve, provided in the second flow channel, configured to control a flow rate of the second gas; an orifice provided downstream of the control valve and at a terminus of the second flow channel; a switching valve, provided at a connection point between the first flow channel and the terminus of the second flow channel, configured to control a supply timing of the second gas; an exhaust mechanism, connected to a flow channel between the control valve and the orifice in the second flow channel, configured to exhaust the second gas; and a controller configured to bring the control valve, the switching valve and the exhaust mechanism into operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Atsushi SAWACHI, Norihiko AMIKURA, Kouji NISHINO, Yohei SAWADA, Yoshiharu KISHIDA
  • Patent number: 9835195
    Abstract: A bolt-locking apparatus includes a plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 which are relatively non-rotatably fitted to heads of a plurality of bolts 5, and an engaging member 4 fitted to the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 such that the engaging member 4 straddles the fitting members 2 and 3. Outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the fitting members 2 and 3 are non-circular in shape. The engaging member 4 includes a plurality of engaging holes (non-circular engaging portions) 8a and 8b which correspond to the non-circular outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Satoshi Kagatsume, Masahiko Satoh, Yukio Naito, Satoshi Muto, Tomohiro Nakata, Tsutomu Shinohara, Michio Yamaji
  • Publication number: 20170261258
    Abstract: A method includes a step of increasing or decreasing a flow rate of a gas of the a second gas supply system, by a predetermined time from a start of a gas treatment step of the process recipe or a by a predetermined time before a start of the gas treatment step, by using apparatus information regarding a first gas supply system of the first substrate treatment apparatus and the second gas supply system of the second substrate treatment apparatus, and arranging the treatment process, and in this step, the treatment process of the second substrate treatment apparatus performed using the process recipe conforms to the treatment process of the first substrate treatment apparatus performed using the process recipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun HIROSE, Norihiko AMIKURA, Risako MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20170097034
    Abstract: A bolt-locking apparatus includes a plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 which are relatively non-rotatably fitted to heads of a plurality of bolts 5, and an engaging member 4 fitted to the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 such that the engaging member 4 straddles the fitting members 2 and 3. Outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the fitting members 2 and 3 are non-circular in shape. The engaging member 4 includes a plurality of engaging holes (non-circular engaging portions) 8a and 8b which correspond to the non-circular outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicants: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Satoshi Kagatsume, Masahiko Satoh, Yukio Naito, Satoshi Muto, Tomohiro Nakata, Tsutomu Shinohara, Michio Yamaji
  • Publication number: 20170074694
    Abstract: A gas, whose flow rate is adjusted by a flow rate controller as a measurement target, is supplied into a processing vessel in a state that a third valve of the gas supply system provided at an upstream side of the processing vessel is opened. While the gas is continuously supplied, the third valve is closed after a pressure measurement value of a pressure gauge within a flow rate controller for pressure measurement is stabilized. After the third valve is closed, an output flow rate of the flow rate controller as the measurement target is calculated from a previously known volume of the gas supply system in which the gas supplied through the flow rate controller as the measurement target is collected and a rise rate of the pressure measurement value of the pressure gauge within the flow rate controller for pressure measurement with respect to time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Risako Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20170075361
    Abstract: A flow rate of a gas supplied into a processing vessel of a substrate processing apparatus is controlled according to a set flow rate of a first flow rate controller. The gas is also supplied into a second flow rate controller. When an output flow rate of the first flow rate controller is in a steady state, a first pressure measurement value of a first pressure gauge and a second pressure measurement value of a second pressure gauge of the second flow rate controller are obtained. A difference absolute value between the first pressure measurement value and a reference pressure value and a difference absolute value between the second pressure measurement value and a reference pressure value are calculated, and then, an average value of the difference absolute values is calculated. The difference absolute values and the average value are respectively compared with a first to third threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Risako Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20160372348
    Abstract: Throughput of the processing can be improved. A gas supply system includes a plurality of element devices which constitute the gas supply system and a base 212 on which the plurality of element devices are disposed. Some of the element devices are disposed on a surface 212a of the base 212, and the others are disposed on a surface 212b of the base 212, which is opposite to the surface 212a of the base 212. The plurality of element devices may be implemented by, for example, a flow rate controller FD and a secondary valve FV2. The secondary valve FV2 is disposed on the surface 212b, which is opposite to the surface 212a of the base 212 where the flow rate controller FD is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Atsushi Sawachi, Norihiko Amikura, Yoshiyasu Sato
  • Patent number: 9494180
    Abstract: A bolt-locking apparatus includes a plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 which are relatively non-rotatably fitted to heads of a plurality of bolts 5, and an engaging member 4 fitted to the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 such that the engaging member 4 straddles the fitting members 2 and 3. Outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the fitting members 2 and 3 are non-circular in shape. The engaging member 4 includes a plurality of engaging holes (non-circular engaging portions) 8a and 8b which correspond to the non-circular outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Satoshi Kagatsume, Masahiko Satoh, Yukio Naito, Satoshi Muto, Tomohiro Nakata, Tsutomu Shinohara, Michio Yamaji
  • Publication number: 20160299514
    Abstract: A gas supply control method uses a pressure control flowmeter and first and second valves provided upstream and downstream, respectively, of the pressure control flowmeter in a gas supply line. The pressure control flowmeter includes a control valve and an orifice. The gas supply control method includes maintaining a pressure P1 of a first gas supply pipe between the orifice and the control valve and a pressure P2 of a second gas supply pipe between the orifice and the second valve so as to satisfy P1>2×P2. The supply of gas is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the second valve with the first valve being open and the control valve being controlled. A volume V1 of the first gas supply pipe and a volume V2 of the second gas supply pipe have a relationship of V1/V2?9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Kumiko ONO, Hiroshi TSUJIMOTO, Atsushi SAWACHI, Norihiko AMIKURA, Norikazu SASAKI, Yoshitaka KAWAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9240307
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma processing apparatus including a mounting table within a processing container. The mounting table includes a lower electrode. A shower head constituting an upper electrode is provided above the mounting table. A gas inlet tube is provided above the shower head. The shower head includes a plurality of downwardly opened gas ejection holes, and first and second separate gas diffusion chambers on the gas ejection holes. The first gas diffusion chamber extends along a central axis that passes through a center of the mounting table. The second gas diffusion chamber extends circumferentially around the first gas diffusion chamber. The gas inlet tube includes a cylindrical first tube wall and a cylindrical second tube wall provided outside the first tube wall, and defines a first gas inlet path inside the first tube wall, and a second gas inlet path between the first and second tube walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Risako Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9236230
    Abstract: It is possible to prevent processing gases from being mixed when alternately supplying the processing gases while alternately switching the processing gases and to suppressed a transient phenomenon more efficiently as compared to conventional cases. When supplying at least two kinds of processing gases (e.g., a C4F6 gas and a C4F8 gas) into a processing chamber while alternately switching the at least two kinds of processing gases during a plasma process on a wafer, the supply of each processing gas can be alternately turned on and off by alternately setting an instruction flow rate of a mass flow controller to be a predetermined flow rate and a zero flow rate while a downstream opening/closing valve provided at a downstream side of the mass flow controller is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kato, Norihiko Amikura, Risako Miyoshi, Kimihiro Fukasawa
  • Publication number: 20150330631
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma processing apparatus in which a main control unit is capable of managing the processing situation of an exhaust gas in an exhaust gas processing unit through a dilution controller. The exhaust gas processing unit includes a detoxifying device connected to the outlet of a vacuum pump through an exhaust pipe, a dilution gas source connected to the exhaust pipe near the outlet of the vacuum pump through a dilution gas supply pipe, an MFC and an opening/closing valve installed at the middle of the dilution gas supply pipe, a gas sensor attached to the exhaust pipe on the downstream side of an end (node N) of the dilution gas supply pipe, and a dilution controller configured to control the MFC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Norikazu SASAKI, Risako MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20150233412
    Abstract: A bolt-locking apparatus includes a plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 which are relatively non-rotatably fitted to heads of a plurality of bolts 5, and an engaging member 4 fitted to the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 such that the engaging member 4 straddles the fitting members 2 and 3. Outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the fitting members 2 and 3 are non-circular in shape. The engaging member 4 includes a plurality of engaging holes (non-circular engaging portions) 8a and 8b which correspond to the non-circular outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicants: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norihiko AMIKURA, Satoshi KAGATSUME, Masahiko SATOH, Yukio NAITO, Satoshi MUTO, Tomohiro NAKATA, Tsutomu SHINOHARA, Michio YAMAJI
  • Patent number: 9103366
    Abstract: A bolt-locking apparatus includes a plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 which are relatively non-rotatably fitted to heads of a plurality of bolts 5, and an engaging member 4 fitted to the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 such that the engaging member 4 straddles the fitting members 2 and 3. Outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the fitting members 2 and 3 are non-circular in shape. The engaging member 4 includes a plurality of engaging holes (non-circular engaging portions) 8a and 8b which correspond to the non-circular outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norihiko Amikura, Satoshi Kagatsume, Masahiko Satoh, Yukio Naito, Satoshi Muto, Tomohiro Nakata, Tsutomu Shinohara, Michio Yamaji