Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting a process station from a processing module is described herein. The apparatus includes a lift assembly disposed on the processing module, a lift cage, and one or more guide pins. The lift assembly is disposed to be capable of reaching each of the process stations disposed within the processing module. The lift assembly is used for replacement and maintenance of the process stations and further enables the automated removal and placement of the process stations within the processing module. Maintenance methods enabled by the lift assembly are additionally disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus, systems and methods for substrate processing. A detachable substrate support is disposed within a processing volume of a processing chamber and the substrate support includes a substrate interfacing surface and a back surface. The pedestal hub has a supporting surface removably coupled to the substrate support. A hub volume of the pedestal hub includes temperature measuring assembly disposed therein positioned to receive electromagnetic energy emitted from the back surface of the substrate support. The temperature measuring assembly measures an intensity of the electromagnetic energy entering the assembly and generates intensity signals. An apparent temperature of the substrate is determined based on the intensity signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substrate processing and a cluster tool including a transfer chamber assembly and a plurality of processing assemblies. Processing chamber volumes are sealed from the transfer chamber volume using a support chuck on which a substrate is disposed. A seal ring assembly is coupled to the support chuck. The seal ring assembly includes an inner assembly, an assembly bellows circumscribing the inner assembly, and a bellows disposed between the inner and outer platform. An inner ring is disposed between inner assembly of the seal ring assembly and the bottom surface of the support chuck. An outer ring disposed between the seal ring assembly and the lower sealing surface of the process chamber wall. The support chuck is raised to form an isolation seal between the processing chamber volume and the transfer chamber volume using the bellows, the inner ring, and the outer ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting a process station from a processing module is described herein. The apparatus includes a lift assembly disposed on the processing module, a lift cage, and one or more guide pins. The lift assembly is disposed to be capable of reaching each of the process stations disposed within the processing module. The lift assembly is used for replacement and maintenance of the process stations and further enables the automated removal and placement of the process stations within the processing module. Maintenance methods enabled by the lift assembly are additionally disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to lift pins and to apparatus for controlling lift pin movement. In an embodiment, an apparatus for positioning a substrate in a chamber is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber component, a lift pin having a top surface for supporting the substrate and a lift pin shaft and a stopper. The apparatus further includes a compressible element positioned between the chamber component and the stopper, the compressible element further positioned around the lift pin shaft, the lift pin being moveable relative to a substrate transfer plane by movement of a substrate support in contact with the compressible element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substrate processing and a cluster tool including a transfer chamber assembly and a plurality of processing assemblies. Processing chamber volumes are sealed from the transfer chamber volume using a support chuck on which a substrate is disposed. A seal ring assembly is coupled to the support chuck. The seal ring assembly includes an inner assembly, an assembly bellows circumscribing the inner assembly, and a bellows disposed between the inner and outer platform. An inner ring is disposed between inner assembly of the seal ring assembly and the bottom surface of the support chuck. An outer ring disposed between the seal ring assembly and the lower sealing surface of the process chamber wall. The support chuck is raised to form an isolation seal between the processing chamber volume and the transfer chamber volume using the bellows, the inner ring, and the outer ring.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to lift pins and to apparatus for controlling lift pin movement. In an embodiment, an apparatus for positioning a substrate in a chamber is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber component, a lift pin having a top surface for supporting the substrate and a lift pin shaft and a stopper. The apparatus further includes a compressible element positioned between the chamber component and the stopper, the compressible element further positioned around the lift pin shaft, the lift pin being moveable relative to a substrate transfer plane by movement of a substrate support in contact with the compressible element.

Abstract: An appliance includes at least one chamber accessible via an opening and a cover member for providing selective access to the opening. The cover member includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The flexible portion includes a plurality of elongated rib members and a flexible skin covering surrounding the plurality of elongated rib members. The plurality of elongated rib members aligned in a side-by-side configuration and secured together in a spatially consecutive arrangement. Thus, the flexible portion is movable with respect to the rigid portion between a flat, closed position that covers a portion of the opening and a curved, open position that exposes the portion of the opening.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that cabinet defines a food storage chamber therein. The refrigerator appliance also includes a shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface along the vertical direction. A flexible telescopic storage container mounted to the shelf. A top flange of the flexible storage container may be flush with the upper surface of the shelf. The shelf may include an aperture extending through the shelf from the upper surface to the lower surface and the flexible telescopic storage container may be mounted to the shelf through the aperture.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A substrate process station includes a housing including a transport region and process region. The process station further includes a magnetic levitation assembly disposed in the transport region configured to levitate and propel a substrate carrier. The magnetic levitation assembly includes a first track segment including first rails disposed in the transport region and below the process region, wherein the first rails each include a first plurality of magnets. The process station further includes a pedestal assembly comprising a pedestal disposed within the housing. The pedestal is moveable between a pedestal transfer position and a process position, wherein the pedestal is disposed between the first rails in the pedestal transfer position to receive a substrate from the substrate carrier, and wherein the pedestal is moveable between the first rails to position the received substrate in the process region in the process position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substrate processing and a cluster tool including a transfer chamber assembly and a plurality of processing assemblies. Processing chamber volumes are sealed from the transfer chamber volume using a support chuck on which a substrate is disposed. A seal ring assembly is coupled to the support chuck. The seal ring assembly includes an inner assembly, an assembly bellows circumscribing the inner assembly, and a bellows disposed between the inner and outer platform. An inner ring is disposed between inner assembly of the seal ring assembly and the bottom surface of the support chuck. An outer ring disposed between the seal ring assembly and the lower sealing surface of the process chamber wall. The support chuck is raised to form an isolation seal between the processing chamber volume and the transfer chamber volume using the bellows, the inner ring, and the outer ring.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes an infuser into which users may insert a dissolvable treatment material, such as detergent pods of scented pellets. The diffuser may be removably inserted into a receptacle at least partially contained within the cabinet of the laundry appliance. One or more of a moveable cap or lid may be configured to cover an opening at the top of the receptacle, thereby sealing the receptacle. Water or air may be introduced into the receptacle through a fluid inlet line. The water or air may pass through openings in the infuser and interact with the dissolvable treatment material to produce a treatment mixture of treatment material and water or air. The treatment material may then exit the receptacle through a fluid output line, where it may be delivered to a fluid distribution element extending into the laundering chamber of the laundry appliance. The fluid distribution may then distribute the treatment solution into the chamber and onto the articles of laundry.

Abstract: A shipping spacer assembly is configured to be removably attached to a wash tub of a washing machine for fixing a distance between a wash tub and a cabinet of a washing machine appliance in an installed position. The shipping spacer assembly includes a bolt, a cord retention mechanism, and a grommet. The bolt includes a shaft extending along an axial direction, a head located at one end of the shaft, and a threaded portion located opposite the head in the axial direction. The cord retention mechanism is configured for receipt of a power cord. The cord retention mechanism is positioned between the head of the bolt and the rear panel in the installed position. The grommet defines a grommet cavity. The shaft is removably positioned through the grommet cavity.

Abstract: A shutter disc for use in a cluster tool assembly having a processing chamber and a transfer arm includes an inner disc and an outer disc configured to be disposed on the inner disc. The inner disc includes a plurality of locating features configured to mate with locating pins of a transfer arm of a cluster tool assembly and a plurality of centering features configured to mate with alignment elements of a substrate support disposed in the processing chamber of the cluster tool assembly.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes an infuser into which users may insert a dissolvable treatment material, such as detergent pods of scented pellets. The diffuser may be removably inserted into a receptacle at least partially contained within the cabinet of the laundry appliance. One or more of a moveable cap or lid may be configured to cover an opening at the top of the receptacle, thereby sealing the receptacle. Water or air may be introduced into the receptacle through a fluid inlet line. The water or air may pass through openings in the infuser and interact with the dissolvable treatment material to produce a treatment mixture of treatment material and water or air. The treatment material may then exit the receptacle through a fluid output line, where it may be delivered to a fluid distribution element extending into the laundering chamber of the laundry appliance. The fluid distribution may then distribute the treatment solution into the chamber and onto the articles of laundry.