Patents by Inventor Penchala N. Kankanala

Penchala N. Kankanala 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: 20220376225
    Abstract: An all-solid-state battery cell has a cathode on which a cathode current collector is attached, a solid electrolyte deposited on the cathode opposite the cathode current collector, an anode comprising lithium deposited onto the solid electrolyte opposite the cathode, and an anode current collector bonded to the anode opposite the solid electrolyte with a bonding layer of a metal alloyed with the lithium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Penchala N. Kankanala, Karl M. Brown, Alan A. Ritchie, Richard M. Mank, Ulrich A. Bonne, Korhan Demirkan
  • Patent number: 11087998
    Abstract: A transfer chamber configured to be used during semiconductor device manufacturing is described. Transfer chamber includes at least one first side of a first width configured to couple to one or more substrate transfer units (e.g., one or more load locks or one or more pass-through units), and at least a second set of sides of a second width that is different than the first width, the second set of sides configured to couple to one or more processing chambers. A total number of sides of the transfer chamber is at least seven. Transfers within the transfer chamber are serviceable by a single robot. Process tools and methods for processing substrates are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Michael Meyers, John J. Mazzocco, Dean C. Hruzek, Michael Kuchar, Sushant S. Koshti, Penchala N. Kankanala, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Publication number: 20210143034
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a factory interface, a transfer chamber, and a robot. The transfer chamber includes four first facets adapted for attachment to one or more first processing chambers and three second facets, wherein each of the three second facets has a width that is narrower than that of each of the four first facets. The system includes a second processing chamber having a first interface attached to a first of the three second facets and a load lock attached to a second of the three second facets and to the factory interface. The system also includes a robot attached to a bottom of the transfer chamber, the robot adapted to transfer substrates to and from the one or more first processing chambers, the second processing chamber, and the load lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Michael Meyers, John J. Mazzocco, Dean C. Hruzek, Michael Kuchar, Sushant S. Koshti, Penchala N. Kankanala, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Patent number: 10971381
    Abstract: A transfer chamber configured to be used during semiconductor device manufacturing is described. Transfer chamber includes at least one first side of a first width configured to couple to one or more substrate transfer units (e.g., one or more load locks or one or more pass-through units), and at least a second set of sides of a second width that is different than the first width, the second set of sides configured to couple to one or more processing chambers. A total number of sides of the transfer chamber is at least seven. Transfers within the transfer chamber are serviceable by a single robot. Process tools and methods for processing substrates are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Michael Meyers, John J. Mazzocco, Dean C. Hruzek, Michael Kuchar, Sushant S. Koshti, Penchala N. Kankanala, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Publication number: 20190214284
    Abstract: A transfer chamber configured to be used during semiconductor device manufacturing is described. Transfer chamber includes at least one first side of a first width configured to couple to one or more substrate transfer units (e.g., one or more load locks or one or more pass-through units), and at least a second set of sides of a second width that is different than the first width, the second set of sides configured to couple to one or more processing chambers. A total number of sides of the transfer chamber is at least seven. Transfers within the transfer chamber are serviceable by a single robot. Process tools and methods for processing substrates are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Michael Meyers, John J. Mazzocco, Dean C. Hruzek, Michael Kuchar, Sushant S. Koshti, Penchala N. Kankanala, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Patent number: 9429248
    Abstract: Process chamber gas flow control apparatus having a tiltable valve are disclosed. The gas flow apparatus includes a process chamber adapted to contain a substrate, an exit from the process chamber including a valve seat, and a tiltable valve configured and adapted to tilt relative to the valve seat to control flow non-uniformities within the process chamber. Systems and methods including the tiltable valve apparatus are disclosed, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nir Merry, Chandrakant M. Sapkale, Karuppasamy Muthukamtchi, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Penchala N. Kankanala
  • Publication number: 20160225646
    Abstract: A transfer chamber configured to be used during semiconductor device manufacturing is described. Transfer chamber includes at least one first side of a first width configured to couple to one or more substrate transfer units (e.g., one or more load locks or one or more pass-through units), and at least a second set of sides of a second width that is different than the first width, the second set of sides configured to couple to one or more processing chambers. A total number of sides of the transfer chamber is at least seven. Transfers within the transfer chamber are serviceable by a single robot. Process tools and methods for processing substrates are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Robert RICE, Michael MEYERS, John J. MAZZOCCO, Dean C. HRUZEK, Michael KUCHAR, Sushant S. KOSHTI, Penchala N. KANKANALA, Eric A. ENGLHARDT
  • Publication number: 20150349374
    Abstract: Solid-state battery structures and methods of manufacturing solid-state batteries, such as thin-film batteries, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments relate to solid-state batteries that incorporate magnetic material in one or more layers. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Penchala N. Kankanala, Alan Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20140150878
    Abstract: Process chamber gas flow control apparatus having a tiltable valve are disclosed. The gas flow apparatus includes a process chamber adapted to contain a substrate, an exit from the process chamber including a valve seat, and a tiltable valve configured and adapted to tilt relative to the valve seat to control flow non-uniformities within the process chamber. Systems and methods including the tiltable valve apparatus are disclosed, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Nir Merry, Chandrakant M. Sapkale, Karuppasamy Muthukamtchi, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Penchala N. Kankanala
  • Patent number: 8322963
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an apparatus and method for transferring substrates in a processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, improved device yield performance, a more repeatable wafer processing history (or wafer history), and a reduced footprint when compared to conventional techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Jagan Rangarajan, Michael R. Rice, Penchala N. Kankanala
  • Patent number: 8225496
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system that can be used to form a photovoltaic device, or solar cell, using processing modules that are adapted to perform one or more steps in the solar cell formation process. The automated solar cell fab is generally an arrangement of automated processing modules and automation equipment that is used to form solar cell devices. The automated solar fab will thus generally comprise a substrate receiving module that is adapted to receive a substrate, one or more absorbing layer deposition cluster tools having at least one processing chamber that is adapted to deposit a silicon-containing layer on a surface of the substrate, one or more back contact deposition chambers, one or more material removal chambers, a solar cell encapsulation device, an autoclave module, an automated junction box attaching module, and one or more quality assurance modules that are adapted to test and qualify the completely formed solar cell device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Z. Bachrach, Yong-Kee Chae, Soo Young Choi, Nicholas G. J. De Vries, Yacov Elgar, Eric A. Englhardt, Michel R. Frei, Charles Gay, Parris Hawkins, Choi (Gene) Ho, James Craig Hunter, Penchala N. Kankanala, Liwei Li, Wing Hoo (Hendrick) Lo, Danny Cam Toan Lu, Fang Mei, Stephen P. Murphy, Srujal (Steve) Patel, Matthew J. B. Saunders, Asaf Schlezinger, Shuran Sheng, Tzay-Fa (Jeff) Su, Jeffrey S. Sullivan, David Tanner, Teresa Trowbridge, Brice Walker, John M. White, Tae K. Won
  • Publication number: 20090263215
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an apparatus and method for transferring substrates in a processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, improved device yield performance, a more repeatable wafer processing history (or wafer history), and a reduced footprint when compared to conventional techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: JEFFREY C. HUDGENS, JAGAN RANGARAJAN, MICHAEL R. RICE, PENCHALA N. KANKANALA
  • Publication number: 20090077805
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system that can be used to form a photovoltaic device, or solar cell, using processing modules that are adapted to perform one or more steps in the solar cell formation process. The automated solar cell fab is generally an arrangement of automated processing modules and automation equipment that is used to form solar cell devices. The automated solar fab will thus generally comprise a substrate receiving module that is adapted to receive a substrate, one or more absorbing layer deposition cluster tools having at least one processing chamber that is adapted to deposit a silicon-containing layer on a surface of the substrate, one or more back contact deposition chambers, one or more material removal chambers, a solar cell encapsulation device, an autoclave module, an automated junction box attaching module, and one or more quality assurance modules that are adapted to test and qualify the completely formed solar cell device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Z. BACHRACH, Yong-Kee Chae, Soo Young Choi, Nicholas G.J. De Vries, Yacov Elgar, Eric A. Englhardt, Michael R. Frei, Charles Gay, Parris Hawkins, Choi (Gene) Ho, James Craig Hunter, Penchala N. Kankanala, Liwei Li, Wing Hoo (Hendrick) Lo, Danny Cam Toan Lu, Fang Mei, Stephen P. Murphy, Srujal (Steve) Patel, Matthew J.B. Saunders, Asaf Schlezinger, Shuran Sheng, Tzay-Fa (Jeff) Su, Jeffrey S. Sullivan, David Tanner, Teresa Trowbridge, Brice Walker, John M. White, Tae K. Won
  • Publication number: 20090077804
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a sectioning module positioned within an automated solar cell device fabrication system. The solar cell device fabrication system is adapted to receive a single large substrate and form multiple silicon thin film solar cell devices from the single large substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Z. Bachrach, Yong-Kee Chae, Soo Young Choi, Nicholas G.J. De Vries, Yacov Elgar, Eric A. Englhardt, Michel R. Frei, Charles Gay, Parris Hawkins, Choi (Gene) Ho, James Craig Hunter, Penchala N. Kankanala, Liwei Li, Wing Hoo (Hendrick) Lo, Danny Cam Toan Lu, Fang Mei, Stephen P. Murphy, Srujal (Steve) Patel, Matthew J.B. Saunders, Asaf Schlezinger, Shuran Sheng, Tzay-Fa (Jeff) Su, Jeffrey S. Sullivan, David Tanner, Teresa Trowbridge, Brice Walker, John M. White, Tae K. Won