Patents by Inventor Takami Satoh

Takami Satoh 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: 11433420
    Abstract: A solution supply apparatus is for supplying a treatment solution to a treatment solution discharger which discharges the treatment solution to a treatment object. The solution supply apparatus includes: a supply pipe line connected to the treatment solution discharger; a filter provided on the supply pipe line which filters the treatment solution to remove foreign substances; and a controller. The controller performs a determination of a state of the treatment solution to be supplied to a primary side of the filter and, when the state of the treatment solution is determined to be bad, outputs a control signal for restricting supply of the treatment solution to the primary side of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Ryouichirou Naitou, Masato Hayashi, Hideo Shite, Hiroyuki Ide, Yosuke Kameda, Seiya Totsuka, Atsumu Maita, Takami Satoh, Hirofumi Araki, Kentaro Yoshihara
  • Publication number: 20200290080
    Abstract: A solution supply apparatus for supplying a treatment solution to a treatment solution discharger configured to discharge the treatment solution to a treatment object, the solution supply apparatus includes: a supply pipe line connected to the treatment solution discharger; a filter provided on the supply pipe line and configured to filter the treatment solution to remove foreign substances; and a controller configured to perform a determination of a state of the treatment solution to be supplied to a primary side of the filter and, when the state of the treatment solution is determined to be bad, to output a control signal for restricting supply of the treatment solution to the primary side of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Ryouichirou NAITOU, Masato HAYASHI, Hideo SHITE, Hiroyuki IDE, Yosuke KAMEDA, Seiya TOTSUKA, Atsumu MAITA, Takami SATOH, Hirofumi ARAKI, Kentaro YOSHIHARA
  • Patent number: 10714365
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes a processing unit, a first supply route, a first device, a second supply route, a second device, a housing, and an external housing. The processing unit processes a substrate by using processing liquid including first and second processing liquids. The first supply route is for supplying the first processing liquid to the processing unit. The first device is for supplying the first processing liquid to the first supply route. The second supply route is for supplying the second processing liquid to the processing unit. The second processing liquid has higher temperature than the first processing liquid. The second device is for supplying the second processing liquid to the second supply route. The housing accommodates the processing unit. The external housing accommodates the first and second devices, and is adjacent to the housing. The external housing includes a partition wall between the first and second devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tetsurou Iriyama, Shinichi Umeno, Yasuhiro Takaki, Takami Satoh
  • Patent number: 10573539
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a transfer section, a processing section, a reservoir and a liquid sending mechanism. The transfer section includes a transfer device configured to transfer a substrate. The processing section is provided adjacent to the transfer section in a horizontal direction, and includes a liquid processing unit configured to process the substrate by using a processing liquid. The reservoir is configured to store the processing liquid therein. The liquid sending mechanism is configured to send out the processing liquid stored in the reservoir into the liquid processing unit. The reservoir is disposed directly under the transfer section. Further, the liquid sending mechanism is disposed directly under the processing section. Space saving of the substrate liquid processing apparatus can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroshi Komiya, Yasuhiro Takaki, Shinichi Umeno, Koji Tanaka, Takami Satoh, Atsushi Anamoto
  • Patent number: 10483137
    Abstract: The substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a processing bath that accommodates substrates, and a plurality of gas supply pipes provided in a processing bath. Ejection holes of one gas supply pipe and ejection holes of another adjacent gas supply pipe do not overlap each other in a direction parallel to the circuit-formed surfaces of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Masutomi, Toshiyuki Shiokawa, Koji Tanaka, Takami Satoh
  • Patent number: 10276408
    Abstract: A flow-rate regulator device for controlling a flow rate of a liquid includes a first flow-rate regulator component positioned on an upstream side of a liquid line, and a second flow-rate regulator component positioned on a downstream side of the liquid line and connected in series to the first flow-rate regulator component. The first flow-rate regulator component adjusts a degree of opening such that a flow rate of liquid flowing through the liquid line is set a specified number of times greater than a target flow rate when the second flow-rate regulator component has a full opening, and the second flow-rate regulator component adjusts a degree of opening such that the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the liquid line is to be at the target flow rate when the first flow-rate regulator component is adjusted to have the degree of opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Michitaka Amiya, Takami Satoh, Kazuyoshi Eshima, Akihiro Nakamura, Koji Tanaka, Kazuki Kosai
  • Publication number: 20180358240
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a transfer section, a processing section, a reservoir and a liquid sending mechanism. The transfer section includes a transfer device configured to transfer a substrate. The processing section is provided adjacent to the transfer section in a horizontal direction, and includes a liquid processing unit configured to process the substrate by using a processing liquid. The reservoir is configured to store the processing liquid therein. The liquid sending mechanism is configured to send out the processing liquid stored in the reservoir into the liquid processing unit. The reservoir is disposed directly under the transfer section. Further, the liquid sending mechanism is disposed directly under the processing section. Space saving of the substrate liquid processing apparatus can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroshi Komiya, Yasuhiro Takaki, Shinichi Umeno, Koji Tanaka, Takami Satoh, Atsushi Anamoto
  • Publication number: 20180330974
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes a processing unit, a first supply route, a first device, a second supply route, a second device, a housing, and an external housing. The processing unit processes a substrate by using processing liquid including first and second processing liquids. The first supply route is for supplying the first processing liquid to the processing unit. The first device is for supplying the first processing liquid to the first supply route. The second supply route is for supplying the second processing liquid to the processing unit. The second processing liquid has higher temperature than the first processing liquid. The second device is for supplying the second processing liquid to the second supply route. The housing accommodates the processing unit. The external housing accommodates the first and second devices, and is adjacent to the housing. The external housing includes a partition wall between the first and second devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Tetsurou Iriyama, Shinichi Umeno, Yasuhiro Takaki, Takami Satoh
  • Patent number: 10067514
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a mixing tank, a first opening/closing valve, a second opening/closing valve, a first flow rate measuring unit, a second flow rate measuring unit, a control unit, and a substrate processing unit. A first liquid and a second liquid are mixed such that the second liquid is mixed in an amount more than that of the first liquid. The first and second opening/closing valves open/close a first flow path and a second flow path, respectively. The first and second flow rate measuring units measure flow rates of the first and second liquids flowing through the first and second flow paths, respectively. The control unit controls opening/closing of the first opening/closing valve and the second opening/closing valve. The substrate processing unit processes a substrate by supplying a mixed liquid of the first and second liquids to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuo Kiyohara, Ikuo Sunaka, Koji Tanaka, Takami Satoh, Kazuyoshi Mizumoto, Takashi Uno, Hirotaka Maruyama, Hidetomo Uemukai, Tomiyasu Maezono
  • Patent number: 9887092
    Abstract: Provided is an etching method including: an etching step of performing an etching processing using an etching liquid on a workpiece accommodated in an etching processing unit; and an interval step between the etching step on the workpiece and a next etching step on another workpiece. The etching step includes a first partial replacement pattern including discharging the etching liquid in the etching processing unit provided for the etching processing by a first set amount, and supplying a new etching liquid into the etching processing unit by a second set amount, and the interval step includes a second partial replacement pattern including discharging the etching liquid in the etching processing unit provided for the etching processing by a third set amount, and supplying a new etching liquid into the etching processing unit by a fourth set amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Furukawa, Yusuke Futamata, Hideaki Sato, Hiromi Hara, Takahiro Kawazu, Toshiyuki Shiokawa, Takami Satoh
  • Patent number: 9881799
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing apparatus including a processing liquid storage unit that stores a processing liquid; a processing liquid supply unit that supplies the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid circulation unit that circulates the processing liquid inside the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid discharge unit that discharges the processing liquid; a concentration sensor that measures a concentration in the processing liquid; and a controller that controls the processing liquid supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki Sato, Takami Satoh
  • Publication number: 20180025927
    Abstract: The substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a processing bath that accommodates substrates, and a plurality of gas supply pipes provided in a processing bath. Ejection holes of one gas supply pipe and ejection holes of another adjacent gas supply pipe do not overlap each other in a direction parallel to the circuit-formed surfaces of the substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Masutomi, Toshiyuki Shiokawa, Koji Tanaka, Takami Satoh
  • Patent number: 9631963
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to perform a solution process by supplying a processing solution from a processing solution supply source to the substrate held on a substrate holder via a flow path member and a nozzle at a flow rate equal to or less than 1 mL/sec. The apparatus includes a solution transfer unit configured to transfer the processing solution to the nozzle, and connected to the flow path member, and an ultrasonic flowmeter connected to the flow path member at an outlet side from the solution transfer unit. In this embodiment, a lower limit of a flow rate range which is measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter is equal to or less than 1 mL/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryoji Ando, Takami Satoh
  • Publication number: 20160233106
    Abstract: [Problem] To perform precise etching treatment on a wafer by maintaining in a given range the concentration of leached components in an etching solution leaching from a wafer, without completely replacing the etching solution. [Solution] This etching method comprises a plurality of etching steps, and an interval step between each of the etching steps. Each etching step contains a first partial replacement pattern wherein only a first set amount of the etching solution supplied for the etching treatment is discharged, and only a second set amount of fresh etching solution is supplied. The interval step contains a second partial replacement pattern wherein only a third set amount of the etching solution supplied for the etching treatment is discharged, and only a fourth set amount of the fresh etching solution is supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Takahiro Furukawa, Yusuke Futamata, Hideaki Sato, Hiromi Hara, Takahiro Kawazu, Toshiyuki Shiokawa, Takami Satoh
  • Publication number: 20160225683
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing apparatus including a processing liquid storage unit that stores a processing liquid; a processing liquid supply unit that supplies the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid circulation unit that circulates the processing liquid inside the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid discharge unit that discharges the processing liquid; a concentration sensor that measures a concentration in the processing liquid; and a controller that controls the processing liquid supply unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Hideaki Sato, Takami Satoh
  • Publication number: 20150380280
    Abstract: A flow-rate regulator device for controlling a flow rate of a liquid includes a first flow-rate regulator component positioned on an upstream side of a liquid line, and a second flow-rate regulator component positioned on a downstream side of the liquid line and connected in series to the first flow-rate regulator component. The first flow-rate regulator component adjusts a degree of opening such that a flow rate of liquid flowing through the liquid line is set a specified number of times greater than a target flow rate when the second flow-rate regulator component has a full opening, and the second flow-rate regulator component adjusts a degree of opening such that the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the liquid line is to be at the target flow rate when the first flow-rate regulator component is adjusted to have the degree of opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Michitaka AMIYA, Takami SATOH, Kazuyoshi ESHIMA, Akihiro NAKAMURA, Koji TANAKA, Kazuki KOSAI
  • Publication number: 20150300853
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is configured to perform a solution process by supplying a processing solution from a processing solution supply source to the substrate held on a substrate holder via a flow path member and a nozzle at a flow rate equal to or less than 1 mL/sec. The apparatus includes a solution transfer unit configured to transfer the processing solution to the nozzle, and mounted to the flow path member, and an ultrasonic flowmeter mounted to the flow path member at a downstream side from the solution transfer unit. In this embodiment, a lower limit of a flow rate range which is measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter is equal to or less than 1 mL/sec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ryoji ANDO, Takami SATOH
  • Patent number: 9109934
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is configured to perform a solution process by supplying a processing solution from a processing solution supply source to the substrate held on a substrate holder via a flow path member and a nozzle at a flow rate equal to or less than 1 mL/sec. The apparatus includes a solution transfer unit configured to transfer the processing solution to the nozzle, and mounted to the flow path member, and an ultrasonic flowmeter mounted to the flow path member at a downstream side from the solution transfer unit. In this embodiment, a lower limit of a flow rate range which is measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter is equal to or less than 1 mL/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryoji Ando, Takami Satoh
  • Publication number: 20150146498
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a mixing tank, a first opening/closing valve, a second opening/closing valve, a first flow rate measuring unit, a second flow rate measuring unit, a control unit, and a substrate processing unit. A first liquid and a second liquid are mixed such that the second liquid is mixed in an amount more than that of the first liquid. The first and second opening/closing valves open/close a first flow path and a second flow path, respectively. The first and second flow rate measuring units measure flow rates of the first and second liquids flowing through the first and second flow paths, respectively. The control unit controls opening/closing of the first opening/closing valve and the second opening/closing valve. The substrate processing unit processes a substrate by supplying a mixed liquid of the first and second liquids to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuo Kiyohara, Ikuo Sunaka, Koji Tanaka, Takami Satoh, Kazuyoshi Mizumoto, Takashi Uno, Hirotaka Maruyama, Hidetomo Uemukai, Tomiyasu Maezono
  • Publication number: 20130345996
    Abstract: A flowmeter of the present invention is adapted to measure a flow velocity of a process liquid flowing through a supply pipe, and includes: a pair of ultrasonic oscillators located with a spacing therebetween of a predetermined distance along a flow direction of the supply pipe; a flow velocity calculating part calculating a flow velocity of the process liquid based on a first arrival time elapsed for an ultrasonic wave generated from one of the pair of ultrasonic oscillators to arrive at the other of the pair of ultrasonic oscillators and a second arrival time elapsed for an ultrasonic wave generated from the other of the pair of ultrasonic oscillators to arrive at the one of the pair of ultrasonic oscillators; and a bubble inclusion determining part determining, based on a time-varying amount of the calculated process liquid flow velocity, whether air bubbles are included in the process liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicants: HORIBA ADVANCED TECHNO, CO., LTD., TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takami Satoh, Ryoji Ando, Koji Uchimura