Patents by Inventor Eric A. Hudson

Eric A. Hudson 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: 8956461
    Abstract: An apparatus used for rapid removal of polymer films from plasma confinement rings while minimizing erosion of other plasma etch chamber components is disclosed. The apparatus includes a center assembly, an electrode plate, a confinement ring stack, a first plasma source, and a second plasma source. The electrode plate is affixed to a surface of the center assembly with a channel defined along the external circumference therein. A first plasma source is disposed within the channel and along the external circumference of the center assembly, wherein the first plasma source is configured to direct a plasma to the inner circumferential surface of the confinement ring stack. A second plasma source located away from the first plasma source is configured to perform processing operations on a substrate within the etch chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Hudson, Andreas Fischer
  • Publication number: 20150037979
    Abstract: A method for etching features into an etch layer in a stack disposed below a patterned mask with mask features is provided. Coating providing molecules are provided. The coating providing molecules are pyrolyzed, which only produces a first set of byproducts and a second set of byproducts, wherein the first set of byproducts have a sticking coefficient between 10?6 to 5×10?3 and wherein the second set of byproducts includes all remaining byproducts from the pyrolysis wherein all remaining byproducts from the pyrolysis have sticking coefficients less than 10?6. The stack is exposed to the first set of byproducts, causing the first set of byproducts to deposit a coating. The etch layer is etched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Eric A. HUDSON
  • Publication number: 20150017809
    Abstract: A method for etching features into an etch layer disposed below a patterned mask is provided. At least three cycles are provided, where each cycle comprises providing an ion bombardment, by creating a plasma, of the etch layer to create activated sites of surface radicals in parts of the etch layer exposed by the patterned mask, extinguishing the plasma, exposing the etch layer to a plurality of fluorocarbon containing molecules, which causes the fluorocarbon containing molecules to selectively bind to the activated sites, wherein the selective binding is self limiting, and providing an ion bombardment of the etch layer to initiate an etch reaction between the fluorocarbon containing molecule and the etch layer, wherein the ion bombardment of the etch layer to initiate an etch reaction causes the formation of volatile etch products formed from the etch layer and the fluorocarbon containing molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Ranadeep BHOWMICK, Eric A. HUDSON
  • Patent number: 8932429
    Abstract: System and methods for plasma processing of a wafer include a chamber with an electrode having a support surface and an outer edge region defined thereon. A radio frequency power is communicated to the electrode via a conductive delivery connection and returned through a conductive return connection. A capacitance is applied to a first end that causes appropriate capacitive adjustment and opposite impedance adjustment at a second end of the conductive delivery connection that is coupled to a dielectric surround structure that surrounds the electrode. The dielectric surround structure presents the opposite impedance adjustment near an outer edge of the electrode, such that increasing the capacitance at the first end causes a corresponding increase of impedance at the second end and a corresponding increase in voltage distribution near the outer edge region of the electrode that decreases toward a center of the support surface of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhigang Chen, Eric Hudson
  • Publication number: 20150011097
    Abstract: A plasma processing system having a plasma processing chamber configured for processing a substrate is provided. The plasma processing system includes at least an upper electrode and a lower electrode for processing the substrate. The substrate is disposed on the lower electrode during plasma processing, where the upper electrode and the substrate forms a first gap. The plasma processing system also includes an upper electrode peripheral extension (UE-PE). The UE-PE is mechanically coupled to a periphery of the upper electrode, where the UE-PE is configured to be non-coplanar with the upper electrode. The plasma processing system further includes a cover ring. The cover ring is configured to concentrically surround the lower electrode, where the UE-PE and the cover ring forms a second gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Fischer, Eric Hudson
  • Patent number: 8924163
    Abstract: A vibration data collection and rotating machinery fault diagnostic instrument includes a machine setup engine, a measurement engine, a diagnostic engine, a measurement user interface module, a machine setup user interface module, and a diagnostic user interface module. The machine setup engine requests and receives parameters about the machinery through the machine setup user interface module. The measurement engine requests and receives sensor placement locations through the measurement user interface module and keeps track of locations that have been measured and locations that still need to be measured. The diagnostic engine diagnoses machinery faults and presents the information to the user through the diagnostic user interface module using an intuitive graphical severity scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Hudson, Demet Albuz, Rand Peterson, Joseph Ferrante
  • Patent number: 8920113
    Abstract: An exemplary turbomachine securing apparatus includes a coupling member that couples a first component to a second component within a turbomachine. The first component and the second component are both non-rotating components during operation of the turbomachine. The coupling member limiting relative circumferential movement between the first component and the second component, and permitting relative radial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 8869741
    Abstract: A plasma processing system having a plasma processing chamber configured for processing a substrate is provided. The plasma processing system includes at least an upper electrode and a lower electrode for processing the substrate. The substrate is disposed on the lower electrode during plasma processing, where the upper electrode and the substrate forms a first gap. The plasma processing system also includes an upper electrode peripheral extension (UE-PE). The UE-PE is mechanically coupled to a periphery of the upper electrode, where the UE-PE is configured to be non-coplanar with the upper electrode. The plasma processing system further includes a cover ring. The cover ring is configured to concentrically surround the lower electrode, where the UE-PE and the cover ring forms a second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Fischer, Eric Hudson
  • Patent number: 8790067
    Abstract: An engine has a blade stage and a circumferential array of blade outer air seal segments. A support ring carries the blade outer air seal segments. The support ring has a low-CTE member and a high-CTE member intervening between the blade outer air seal segments and the low-CTE member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 8708652
    Abstract: A cover plate for use with a rotor disk in a gas turbine engine includes an enclosed chamber associated with a web on the rotor disk. The enclosed chamber ensures that adequate cooling air is delivered by rotation of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Caprario, Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 8677590
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes providing a movable plasma-facing structure configured to surround a plasma that is generated during processing of a substrate. The method also includes disposing a movable electrically conductive structure outside of the movable plasma-facing structure, wherein both structures configured to be deployed and retracted as a single unit to facilitate handling of the substrate. The movable electrically conductive structure is radio frequency (RF) grounded during the plasma processing. During processing, the RF current from the plasma flows to the movable electrically conductive structure through the movable plasma-facing structure during the plasma processing. The method further includes coupling a set of conductive straps to the movable electrically conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Hudson, Andreas Fischer
  • Publication number: 20140054268
    Abstract: System and methods for plasma processing of a wafer include a chamber with an electrode having a support surface and an outer edge region defined thereon. A radio frequency power is communicated to the electrode via a conductive delivery connection and returned through a conductive return connection. A capacitance is applied to a first end that causes appropriate capacitive adjustment and opposite impedance adjustment at a second end of the conductive delivery connection that is coupled to a dielectric surround structure that surrounds the electrode. The dielectric surround structure presents the opposite impedance adjustment near an outer edge of the electrode, such that increasing the capacitance at the first end causes a corresponding increase of impedance at the second end and a corresponding increase in voltage distribution near the outer edge region of the electrode that decreases toward a center of the support surface of the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhigang Chen, Eric Hudson
  • Publication number: 20140054269
    Abstract: Methods for etching a substrate in a plasma processing chamber having at least a primary plasma generating region and a secondary plasma generating region separated from said primary plasma generating region by a semi-barrier structure. The method includes generating a primary plasma from a primary feed gas in the primary plasma generating region. The method also includes generating a secondary plasma from a secondary feed gas in the secondary plasma generating region to enable at least some species from the secondary plasma to migrate into the primary plasma generating region. The method additionally includes etching the substrate with the primary plasma after the primary plasma has been augmented with migrated species from the secondary plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Andrew D. Bailey, III, Rajinder Dhindsa
  • Patent number: 8652298
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for semiconductor manufacturing are provided. One wafer processing apparatus includes: a top electrode; a bottom electrode; a first radio frequency (RF) power source; a second RF power source; a third RF power source; a fourth RF power source; and a switch. The first, second, and third power sources are coupled to the bottom electrode. Further, the switch is operable to be in one of a first position or a second position, where the first position causes the top electrode to be connected to ground, and the second position causes the top electrode to be connected to the fourth RF power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, Alexei Marakhtanov, Gerardo Delgadino, Eric Hudson, Bi Ming Yen, Andrew D. Bailey, III
  • Patent number: 8635971
    Abstract: A method of tuning the uniformity of a plasma with a large sheath potential by locally affecting the density of a plasma is provided. The method comprises illuminating a body exposed to the plasma with electromagnetic radiation from a source, wherein the body and the source are cooperatively configured such that the body will generate photoelectrons upon exposure to the radiation from the source. An example of such electromagnetic radiation is vacuum ultraviolet light, and an example of such a body is the edge ring surrounding a semiconductor substrate. Photoelectrons emitted from the edge ring, captured by the plasma, and accelerated into the plasma with sufficient energy to cause ionization, locally increase plasma density. The source of radiation can be a plurality of discrete sources or one or more extended sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Hudson
  • Publication number: 20140010666
    Abstract: An airfoil includes leading and trailing edges; first and second sides extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, each side having an exterior surface; a core passage located between the first and second sides and the leading and trailing edges; and a wall structure located between the core passage and the exterior surface of the first side. The wall structure includes a plurality of cooling fluid inlets communicating with the core passage for receiving cooling fluid from the core passage, a plurality of cooling fluid outlets on the exterior surface of the first side for expelling cooling fluid and forming a cooling film along the exterior surface of the first side, and a plurality of cooling passages communicating with the plurality of cooling fluid inlets and the plurality of cooling fluid outlets. At least a portion of one cooling passage extends between adjacent cooling fluid outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, San Quach, Matthew A. Devore
  • Publication number: 20140007413
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes providing a movable plasma-facing structure configured to surround a plasma that is generated during processing of a substrate. The method also includes disposing a movable electrically conductive structure outside of the movable plasma-facing structure, wherein both structures configured to be deployed and retracted as a single unit to facilitate handling of the substrate. The movable electrically conductive structure is radio frequency (RF) grounded during the plasma processing. During processing, the RF current from the plasmas flows to the movable electrically conductive structure through the movable plasma-facing structure during the plasma processing. The method further includes coupling a set of conductive straps to the movable electrically conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Hudson, Andreas Fischer
  • Publication number: 20130340966
    Abstract: A hybrid sacrificial core for forming an impingement space and an internal cooling passageway network separate from the impingement space of a part may comprise a ceramic core having a first surface portion for forming the impingement space, and a refractory metal core that forms a plurality of passages of the internal cooling passageway network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susan M. Tholen, Dominic J. Mongillo, Paul M. Lutjen, James N. Knapp, Virginia L. Ross, Jonathan J. Earl, Eric A. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20130282335
    Abstract: A vibration data collection and rotating machinery fault diagnostic instrument includes a machine setup engine, a measurement engine, a diagnostic engine, a measurement user interface module, a machine setup user interface module, and a diagnostic user interface module. The machine setup engine requests and receives parameters about the machinery through the machine setup user interface module. The measurement engine requests and receives sensor placement locations through the measurement user interface module and keeps track of locations that have been measured and locations that still need to be measured. The diagnostic engine diagnoses machinery faults and presents the information to the user through the diagnostic user interface module using an intuitive graphical severity scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Eric Hudson, Demet Namli, Rand Peterson, Joseph Ferrante
  • Patent number: 8540844
    Abstract: A movable plasma confinement structure configured for confining plasma in a plasma processing chamber during plasma processing of a substrate is provided. The movable plasma confinement structure includes a movable plasma-facing structure configured to surround the plasma. The movable plasma confinement structure also includes a movable electrically conductive structure disposed outside of the movable plasma-facing structure and configured to be deployed and retracted with the movable plasma-facing structure as a single unit to facilitate handling of the substrate. The movable electrically conductive structure is radio frequency (RF) grounded during the plasma processing. The movable plasma-facing structure is disposed between the plasma and the movable electrically conductive structure during the plasma processing such that RF current from the plasma flows to the movable electrically conductive structure through the movable plasma-facing structure during the plasma processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Hudson, Andreas Fischer