Patents by Inventor Lowell E. Simmons

Lowell E. Simmons 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: 4657621
    Abstract: A low particulate vacuum chamber semiconductor wafer input/output valve minimizes the particulate generation by taking advantage of a camming motion at the instant of closing to insure that the valve closes normal to the reaction chamber wall. This eliminates any friction between a glandular seal in the vacuum chamber wall. As the valve closes, it strikes a stop which causes a 90 degree change in direction of the valve forcing it into tape cut. This change of direction is accomplished through a combination of an upper motion of a backing plate, and a spring-loaded linkage in stock. As the gate closes there is some particulte generated at the interface of the valve plate and the stop. This is handled by placing the area of contact outside the transportation path for the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Randall E. Johnson, Louis E. Peters, Lowell E. Simmons