Patents by Inventor Paul Z. Wirth

Paul Z. Wirth 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).

  • Publication number: 20020083960
    Abstract: A system for processing a workpiece includes a head attached to a head lifter. A workpiece is supported in the head between an upper rotor and a lower rotor. A base has a bowl for containing a liquid. The head is movable by the head lifter from a first position vertically above the bowl, to a second position where the workpiece is at least partially positioned in the bowl. The bowl has a contour section with a sidewall having a radius of curvature which increases adjacent to a drain outlet in the bowl, to help rapid draining of liquid from the bowl. The head has a load position, where the rotors are spaced apart by a first amount, and a process position, where the rotors are engaged and sealed against each other. For rapid evacuation of fluid, the head also has a fast drain position, where the rotors are moved apart sufficiently to create an annular drain gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Z. Wirth, Steven L. Peace, Erik Lund
  • Publication number: 20020066471
    Abstract: A system for processing a workpiece includes a base having a bowl or recess for holding a liquid. A process reactor or head holds a workpiece between an upper rotor and a lower rotor. A head lifter lowers the head holding the workpiece into contact with the liquid. Sonic energy is introduced into the liquid and acts on the workpiece to improve processing. The head spins the workpiece during or after contact with the liquid. The upper and lower rotors have side openings for loading and unloading a workpiece into the head. The rotors are axially moveable to align the side openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Steven L. Peace, Paul Z. Wirth, Eric Lund
  • Publication number: 20020020430
    Abstract: A system for processing a workpiece includes a base having a bowl or recess for holding a liquid. A sonic energy source, such as a megasonic transducer, provides sonic energy into a liquid in the bowl. A process reactor or head holds a workpiece between an upper rotor and a lower rotor. A head lifter lowers the head holding the workpiece into the liquid. Sonic energy is provided to the workpiece through the liquid, optionally while the head spins the workpiece. The liquid may include de-ionized water and an etchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Z. Wirth, Steven L. Peace
  • Publication number: 20020017237
    Abstract: A system for processing a workpiece includes a base having a bowl or recess for holding a liquid. A process reactor or head holds a workpiece between an upper rotor and a lower rotor. A head lifter lowers the head holding the workpiece into contact with the liquid. The head spins the workpiece during or after contact with the liquid. The upper and lower rotors have side openings for loading and unloading a workpiece into the head. The rotors are axially moveable to align the side openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Z. Wirth, Steven L. Peace