Patents by Inventor Michael J. Foline

Michael J. Foline 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: 6221781
    Abstract: A process chamber within which a wafer can moved between a transfer position, an etch position and a liquid application position with a single motion system. The process chamber is a spin-type apparatus including a rotatable chuck driven by a spin motor combined with a movable pedestal. The pedestal is preferably movable along with the chuck and the spin motor with a wafer supporting portion of the chuck located in an internal chamber that is defined by a rinse bowl portion of a lower chamber assembly that is sealingly connected to the top cover member. The pedestal is displaceable between any and all of its positions as driven by a single linear motion driving device. In a first position, the pedestal itself can also form an effective seal with the top cover member to create an etching chamber. In a transfer position, the pedestal can be positioned to provide access through a wafer transfer gate, such as by a robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: FSI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Siefering, Scott W. Hamre, Michael J. Foline
  • Patent number: 5820692
    Abstract: A process module which can be integrated with a reduced pressure cluster tool system for semiconductor wafer processing to perform ambient or near ambient pressure reactions without requiring an intermediate buffer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: FSI Interntional
    Inventors: James J. Baecker, D. Scott Becker, Michael J. Foline, Todd K. Maciej