Patents by Inventor Mark Dix

Mark Dix 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: 7002698
    Abstract: A lift/tilt assembly for use in a semiconductor wafer processing device is set forth. The lift/tilt assembly includes a linear way comprising a fixed frame and a moveable frame. A nest for accepting a plurality of semiconductor wafers is rotatably connected to the moveable frame. The nest rotates between a wafer-horizontal orientation and a wafer-vertical orientation as it is driven with the movable frame by a motor that is coupled to the linear way. A lever connected to the nest provides an offset from true vertical for the nest when the nest is in the wafer-vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Hanson, Mark Dix, Vlad Zila, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20040226510
    Abstract: A lift/tilt assembly for use in a semiconductor wafer processing device is set forth. The lift/tilt assembly includes a linear way comprising a fixed frame and a moveable frame. A nest for accepting a plurality of semiconductor wafers is rotatably connected to the moveable frame. The nest rotates between a wafer-horizontal orientation and a wafer-vertical orientation as it is driven with the movable frame by a motor that is coupled to the linear way. A lever connected to the nest provides an offset from true vertical for the nest when the nest is in the wafer-vertical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Semitool. Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Hanson, Mark Dix, Vladimir Zila, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6672820
    Abstract: A transport system for manipulating a semiconductor wafer in a processing tool is set forth. The system includes a transport unit guide disposed within the processing tool for supporting a wafer transfer unit as the unit moves between a first position and a second position. The transport unit guide comprises a frame, a lateral guide rail mounted on the frame, and a series of magnetic segments arranged upon the transport unit guide proximate the lateral guide rail. The wafer transfer unit includes a tram translatably attached to the lateral guide rail and a wafer transfer arm assembly for manipulating the semiconductor wafer. An electromagnet is mounted on the tram in cooperative relation with the magnetic segments for moving the transfer unit along the guide rail. Actuators are used for controlling the position of the transfer unit and transfer arm assembly, and sensors are used for determining the position of the transfer unit and the transfer arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Hanson, Mark Dix, Daniel J. Woodruff, Wayne J. Schmidt, Kevin W. Coyle
  • Patent number: 6654122
    Abstract: A lift/tilt assembly for use in a semiconductor wafer processing device is set forth. The lift/tilt assembly includes a linear guide comprising a fixed frame and a moveable frame. A nest for accepting a plurality of semiconductor wafers is rotatably connected to the moveable frame. The nest rotates between a wafer-horizontal orientation and a wafer-vertical orientation as it is driven with the movable frame by a motor that is coupled to the linear way. A lever connected to the nest provides an offset from true vertical for the nest when the nest is in the wafer-vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Hanson, Mark Dix, Vladimir Zila, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6645355
    Abstract: A lift/tilt assembly for use in a semiconductor wafer processing device is set forth. The lift/tilt assembly includes a linear guide comprising a fixed frame and a moveable frame. A nest for accepting a plurality of semiconductor wafers is rotatably connected to the moveable frame. The nest rotates between a wafer-horizontal orientation and a wafer-vertical orientation as it is driven with the movable frame by a motor that is coupled to the linear way. A lever connected to the nest provides an offset from true vertical for the nest when the nest is in the wafer-vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Hanson, Mark Dix, Vlad Zila, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20020009357
    Abstract: A lift/tilt assembly for use in a semiconductor wafer processing device is set forth. The lift/tilt assembly includes a linear way comprising a fixed frame and a moveable frame. A nest for accepting a plurality of semiconductor wafers is rotatably connected to the moveable frame. The nest rotates between a wafer-horizontal orientation and a wafer-vertical orientation as it is driven with the movable frame by a motor that is coupled to the linear way. A lever connected to the nest provides an offset from true vertical for the nest when the nest is in the wafer-vertical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kyle Hanson, Mark Dix, Vladimir Zila, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6091498
    Abstract: A lift/tilt assembly for use in a semiconductor wafer processing device is set forth. The lift/tilt assembly includes a linear guide/actuator comprising a fixed frame and a movable frame. A nest for accepting a plurality of semiconductor wafers is rotatably connected to the movable frame. The nest rotates between a wafer-horizontal orientation and a wafer-vertical orientation as it is driven with the movable frame by a motor that is coupled to the linear way. A lever connected to the nest provides an offset from true vertical for the nest when the nest is in the wafer-vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Hanson, Mark Dix, Vladimir Zila, Daniel J. Woodruff