Patents by Inventor Robert Knop

Robert Knop 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: 7780825
    Abstract: A substrate holding and transporting assembly is disclosed. The substrate holding and transporting assembly includes a base plate and a pair of clamps connected to the base plate in a spaced apart orientation, the spaced apart orientation of the pair of clamps enable support of a substrate with at least two independent points. The substrate holding and transporting assembly also includes an electrode assembly connected to the base plate at a location that is substantially between the pair of clamps. The electrode assembly defined to impart an electrical contact to the substrate when present and held by the pair of clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Aleksander Owczarz, Robert Knop, Mike Ravkin, Carl A. Woods
  • Publication number: 20080289967
    Abstract: A substrate holding and transporting assembly is disclosed. The substrate holding and transporting assembly includes a base plate and a pair of clamps connected to the base plate in a spaced apart orientation, the spaced apart orientation of the pair of clamps enable support of a substrate with at least two independent points. The substrate holding and transporting assembly also includes an electrode assembly connected to the base plate at a location that is substantially between the pair of clamps. The electrode assembly defined to impart an electrical contact to the substrate when present and held by the pair of clamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aleksander Owczarz, Robert Knop, Mike Ravkin, Carl A. Woods
  • Patent number: 7053000
    Abstract: A system and method of generating RF includes an RF generator, a variable DC power supply, and a comparator. The RF generator has an RF output coupled to an input of the transducer. The variable DC power supply has a control input and a DC output coupled to the RF generator. The comparator includes a first input coupled to a set point control signal, a second input coupled to the RF generator RF output, and a control signal output coupled to a voltage control input on the variable DC power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Anderson, Robert Knop
  • Patent number: 7033845
    Abstract: A system and method of providing RF to a transducer includes an oscillator, an RF generator, and a voltage phase detector. The oscillator has a frequency control input and an RF signal output. The RF generator has an input coupled to the oscillator RF signal output and an RF generator output coupled to the transducer. The voltage phase detector includes a first phase input coupled to the RF signal output of the oscillator, a second phase input coupled to the RF generator output, and a frequency control signal output coupled to the oscillator frequency control voltage input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Anderson, Robert Knop
  • Publication number: 20040174155
    Abstract: A system and method of generating RF includes an RF generator, a variable DC power supply, and a comparator. The RF generator has an RF output coupled to an input of the transducer. The variable DC power supply has a control input and a DC output coupled to the RF generator. The comparator includes a first input coupled to a set point control signal, a second input coupled to the RF generator RF output, and a control signal output coupled to a voltage control input on the variable DC power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas W. Anderson, Robert Knop
  • Publication number: 20040157349
    Abstract: A system and method of providing RF to a transducer includes an oscillator, an RF generator, and a voltage phase detector. The oscillator has a frequency control input and an RF signal output. The RF generator has an input coupled to the oscillator RF signal output and an RF generator output coupled to the transducer. The voltage phase detector includes a first phase input coupled to the RF signal output of the oscillator, a second phase input coupled to the RF generator output, and a frequency control signal output coupled to the oscillator frequency control voltage input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas W. Anderson, Robert Knop
  • Patent number: 6508913
    Abstract: A gas distribution system for processing a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of gas supplies, a mixing manifold wherein gas from the plurality of gas supplies is mixed together, a plurality of gas supply lines delivering the mixed gas to different zones in the chamber, and a control valve. The gas supply lines include a first gas supply line delivering the mixed gas to a first zone in the chamber and a second gas supply line delivering the mixed gas to a second zone in the chamber. The control valve controls a rate of flow of the mixed gas in the first and/or second gas supply line such that a desired ratio of flow rates of the mixed gas is achieved in the first and second gas supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. McMillin, Robert Knop
  • Publication number: 20020042205
    Abstract: A gas distribution system for processing a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of gas supplies, a mixing manifold wherein gas from the plurality of gas supplies is mixed together, a plurality of gas supply lines delivering the mixed gas to different zones in the chamber, and a control valve. The gas supply lines include a first gas supply line delivering the mixed gas to a first zone in the chamber and a second gas supply line delivering the mixed gas to a second zone in the chamber. The control valve controls a rate of flow of the mixed gas in the first and/or second gas supply line such that a desired ratio of flow rates of the mixed gas is achieved in the first and second gas supply lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Brian K. McMillin, Robert Knop
  • Patent number: 6333272
    Abstract: A gas distribution system for processing a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of gas supplies, a mixing manifold wherein gas from the plurality of gas supplies is mixed together, a plurality of gas supply lines delivering the mixed gas to different zones in the chamber, and a control valve. The gas supply lines include a first gas supply line delivering the mixed gas to a first zone in the chamber and a second gas supply line delivering the mixed gas to a second zone in the chamber. The control valve controls a rate of flow of the mixed gas in the first and/or second gas supply line such that a desired ratio of flow rates of the mixed gas is achieved in the first and second gas supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. McMillin, Robert Knop