Patents by Inventor Richard Blank

Richard Blank 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: 20240136161
    Abstract: A system comprises a pedestal and a controller. The pedestal is arranged below a showerhead in a processing chamber and includes at least three electrodes to clamp a substrate to the pedestal during processing. The controller is configured to measure a pedestal-to-showerhead gap and at least one of a magnitude and a direction of a relative tilt between the pedestal and the showerhead by sensing impedances between the at least three electrodes and the showerhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Karl Frederick LEESER, Richard BLANK, Jacob L. HIESTER
  • Patent number: 11908714
    Abstract: A transfer robot assembly arranged within an ATV transfer module includes a transfer robot that includes an end effector and one or more arm segments connected between the end effector and a transfer robot platform. A first robot alignment arm is connected to the transfer robot platform. A second robot alignment arm is connected to the first robot alignment arm and to a mounting chassis of the ATV transfer module. The transfer robot assembly is configured to actuate the first robot alignment arm and the second robot alignment arm to raise and lower the transfer robot to adjust a position of the transfer robot in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction. The transfer robot is configured to fold into a folded configuration having a narrow profile occupying less than 50% of an overall depth of the ATV transfer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Gould, Richard Blank
  • Publication number: 20230395410
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Patent number: 11742229
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20230062737
    Abstract: A transfer robot assembly arranged within an ATV transfer module includes a transfer robot that includes an end effector and one or more arm segments connected between the end effector and a transfer robot platform. A first robot alignment arm is connected to the transfer robot platform. A second robot alignment arm is connected to the first robot alignment arm and to a mounting chassis of the ATV transfer module. The transfer robot assembly is configured to actuate the first robot alignment arm and the second robot alignment arm to raise and lower the transfer robot to adjust a position of the transfer robot in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction. The transfer robot is configured to fold into a folded configuration having a narrow profile occupying less than 50% of an overall depth of the ATV transfer module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Richard H. GOULD, Richard Blank
  • Publication number: 20220411396
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are trioxolane compounds and methods of using the same for treatment and detection of diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Adam Robert Renslo, Brian Richard Blank, Ryan Keith Muir, Michael John Evans, Poulami Talukder
  • Patent number: 11521869
    Abstract: An atmosphere-to-vacuum (ATV) transfer module for a substrate processing tool includes a first side configured to interface with at least one loading station, a transfer robot assembly arranged within the ATV transfer module, and a second side opposite the first side. The transfer robot assembly is configured to transfer substrates between the at least one loading station and at least one load lock arranged between the ATV transfer module and a vacuum transfer module (VTM). The second side is configured to interface with the at least one load lock. The transfer robot assembly is arranged adjacent to the second side, and the at least one load lock extends through the second side into an interior volume of the ATV transfer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Gould, Richard Blank
  • Publication number: 20220134568
    Abstract: A robot calibration system includes a calibration fixture configured to be mounted on a substrate processing chamber. The calibration fixture includes at least one camera arranged to capture an image including an outer edge of a test substrate and an edge ring surrounding the test substrate. A controller is configured to receive the captured image, analyze the captured image to measure a distance between the outer edge of the test substrate and the edge ring, calculate a center of the test substrate based on the measured distance, and calibrate a robot configured to transfer substrate to and from the substrate processing chamber based on the calculated center of the test substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Richard BLANK, Aravind ALWAN, Behnam BEHZIZ, Peter THAULAD, Mark E. EMERSON
  • Publication number: 20220108902
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Patent number: 11239100
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20210320029
    Abstract: A process module for a substrate processing tool includes a plurality of processing stations each configured to perform a process on a substrate and a mechanical indexer arranged within the process module. The mechanical indexer includes a plurality of end effectors including at least a first end effector, a second end effector, and a third end effector. Each of the plurality of end effectors extends in a radial direction from a central axis of the mechanical indexer and is configured to rotate about the central axis within the process module. The mechanical indexer is configured to position each of the plurality of end effectors at any one of the plurality of processing stations within the process module. The mechanical indexer is configured to position more than one of the plurality of end effectors at a same one of the plurality of processing stations at a same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Michael NORDIN, Karl Frederick LEESER, Richard BLANK, Robert SCULAC, Damien Martin SLEVIN
  • Patent number: 11072594
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are trioxolane compounds and methods of using the same for treatment and detection of diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Adam Robert Renslo, Brian Richard Blank, Ryan Keith Muir, Michael John Evans, Poulami Talukder
  • Patent number: 11024531
    Abstract: A mechanical indexer for a substrate processing tool includes first and second arms each having first and second end effectors. The first arm is configured to rotate on a first spindle to selectively position the first end effector of the first arm at a plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool and selectively position the second end effector of the first arm at the plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool. The second arm is configured to rotate on a second spindle to selectively position the first end effector of the second arm at the plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool and selectively position the second end effector of the second arm at the plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool. The first arm is configured to rotate independently of the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Nordin, Karl Leeser, Richard Blank, Robert Sculac
  • Publication number: 20200273731
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Patent number: 10651065
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20200140406
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are trioxolane compounds and methods of using the same for treatment and detection of diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Adam Robert Renslo, Brian Richard Blank, Ryan Keith Muir, Michael John Evans, Poulami Talukder
  • Publication number: 20200083071
    Abstract: An atmosphere-to-vacuum (ATV) transfer module for a substrate processing tool includes a first side configured to interface with at least one loading station, a transfer robot assembly arranged within the ATV transfer module, and a second side opposite the first side. The transfer robot assembly is configured to transfer substrates between the at least one loading station and at least one load lock arranged between the ATV transfer module and a vacuum transfer module (VTM). The second side is configured to interface with the at least one load lock. The transfer robot assembly is arranged adjacent to the second side, and the at least one load lock extends through the second side into an interior volume of the ATV transfer module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Richard H. GOULD, Richard BLANK
  • Publication number: 20190172738
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20180211864
    Abstract: A mechanical indexer for a substrate processing tool includes first and second arms each having first and second end effectors. The first arm is configured to rotate on a first spindle to selectively position the first end effector of the first arm at a plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool and selectively position the second end effector of the first arm at the plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool. The second arm is configured to rotate on a second spindle to selectively position the first end effector of the second arm at the plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool and selectively position the second end effector of the second arm at the plurality of processing stations of the substrate processing tool. The first arm is configured to rotate independently of the second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Nordin, Karl Leeser, Richard Blank, Robert Sculac
  • Patent number: 9576833
    Abstract: A robot for a substrate processing system includes a first arm and a second arm each including a first arm portion connected to a base, a second arm portion connected to the first arm portion, and an end effector connected to the second arm portion. The first arm and the second arm are each configured to actuate between a fully retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. The end effector of the first arm is configured to support a first substrate and the end effector of the second arm is configured to support a second substrate. When the first arm and the second arm are in the respective fully retracted positions, the first substrate is spaced apart from and does not overlap the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Blank, Matt McLellan