Patents by Inventor Yoshihiro Kai

Yoshihiro Kai 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: 12183613
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a loading/unloading part into/from which a cassette that accommodates a plurality of substrates is loaded/unloaded; a batch-type processing part configured to collectively process a lot including the plurality of substrates; a single-substrate-type processing part configured to the plurality of substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part configured to deliver the plurality of substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part, wherein the loading/unloading part, the single-substrate-type processing part, the interface part, and the batch-type processing part are arranged in this order, and wherein the interface part comprises a lot formation part configured to form the lot, and a transfer part configured to transfer the plurality of substrates from the single-substrate-type processing part to the lot formation part, and configured to transfer the plurality of substrates from the batch-type processing part to the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kouzou Kanagawa, Kotaro Tsurusaki, Keiji Onzuka, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Publication number: 20240242975
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a batch-type processing part that collectively processes a lot including substrates arranged at a first pitch; a single-substrate-type processing part that processes the substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part that delivers the substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part. The batch-type processing part includes a processing bath that stores a processing solution having a lump shape or a mist shape, a first holder that holds the substrates arranged at the first pitch, and a second holder that receives the substrates arranged at a second pitch from the first holder in the processing solution. The interface part includes a transfer part that transfers the substrates held separately by the first and second holders in the processing solution, from the batch-type processing part to the single-substrate-type processing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Kouzou KANAGAWA, Kotaro TSURUSAKI, Keiji ONZUKA, Yoshihiro KAI
  • Patent number: 11978644
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a batch-type processing part that collectively processes a lot including substrates arranged at a first pitch; a single-substrate-type processing part that processes the substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part that delivers the substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part. The batch-type processing part includes a processing bath that stores a processing solution having a lump shape or a mist shape, a first holder that holds the substrates arranged at the first pitch, and a second holder that receives the substrates arranged at a second pitch from the first holder in the processing solution. The interface part includes a transfer part that transfers the substrates held separately by the first and second holders in the processing solution, from the batch-type processing part to the single-substrate-type processing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kouzou Kanagawa, Kotaro Tsurusaki, Keiji Onzuka, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Patent number: 11887871
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing tub configured to store therein a processing liquid in which multiple substrates are to be immersed; multiple liquid supplies each of which includes a supply line through which the processing liquid is supplied to an inside of a water tank of the processing tub and a heating device configured to heat the processing liquid at a portion of the supply line; and multiple in-tank temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of the processing liquid at multiple positions within the water tank of the processing tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazushige Sano, Yuichi Tanaka, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Patent number: 11862486
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit 31 configured to hold a substrate W; an outer nozzle 45 configured to discharge a processing liquid toward a surface of the substrate from a position at an outside of an outer edge of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit such that at least a central portion of the surface of the substrate is covered with a liquid film of the discharged processing liquid; and an actuator 46 (90) configured to change a height position or a discharge angle of the outer nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuki Kosai, Yoshihiro Kai, Gentaro Goshi, Hiroshi Komiya, Seiya Fujimoto, Takahisa Otsuka
  • Patent number: 11742223
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises a processing tub and a fluid supply. In the processing tub, a processing is performed on multiple substrates by immersing the multiple substrates in a processing liquid. The fluid supply is disposed under the multiple substrates within the processing tub and configured to discharge a fluid to generate a liquid flow of the processing liquid within the processing tub. Further, the fluid supply includes multiple discharge paths configured to discharge the fluid to different regions in an arrangement direction of the multiple substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuji Kimura, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Patent number: 11574827
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing unit including a holder that holds a substrate and rotates the substrate, a nozzle that ejects a processing liquid, and a conductive piping unit that supplies the processing liquid to the nozzle; a controller that causes the processing unit to execute a liquid processing in which the substrate is processed by supplying the processing liquid from the nozzle to the substrate that is held and rotated by the holder, and a measuring unit that measures a flowing current generated by the processing liquid flowing through the piping unit. The controller monitors the liquid processing based on a measurement result by the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadashi Iino, Yoshihiro Kai, Yoichi Tokunaga, Nobuhiro Ogata, Jiro Higashijima
  • Publication number: 20220392779
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a batch-type processing part that collectively processes a lot including substrates arranged at a first pitch; a single-substrate-type processing part that processes the substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part that delivers the substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part. The batch-type processing part includes a processing bath that stores a processing solution having a lump shape or a mist shape, a first holder that holds the substrates arranged at the first pitch, and a second holder that receives the substrates arranged at a second pitch from the first holder in the processing solution. The interface part includes a transfer part that transfers the substrates held separately by the first and second holders in the processing solution, from the batch-type processing part to the single-substrate-type processing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Kouzou KANAGAWA, Kotaro TSURUSAKI, Keiji ONZUKA, Yoshihiro KAI
  • Patent number: 11469114
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a batch-type processing part that collectively processes a lot including substrates arranged at a first pitch; a single-substrate-type processing part that processes the substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part that delivers the substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part. The batch-type processing part includes a processing bath that stores a processing solution having a lump shape or a mist shape, a first holder that holds the substrates arranged at the first pitch, and a second holder that receives the substrates arranged at a second pitch from the first holder in the processing solution. The interface part includes a transfer part that transfers the substrates held separately by the first and second holders in the processing solution, from the batch-type processing part to the single-substrate-type processing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kouzou Kanagawa, Kotaro Tsurusaki, Keiji Onzuka, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Publication number: 20210111038
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a batch-type processing part that collectively processes a lot including substrates arranged at a first pitch; a single-substrate-type processing part that processes the substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part that delivers the substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part. The batch-type processing part includes a processing bath that stores a processing solution having a lump shape or a mist shape, a first holder that holds the substrates arranged at the first pitch, and a second holder that receives the substrates arranged at a second pitch from the first holder in the processing solution. The interface part includes a transfer part that transfers the substrates held separately by the first and second holders in the processing solution, from the batch-type processing part to the single-substrate-type processing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kouzou KANAGAWA, Kotaro TSURUSAKI, Keiji ONZUKA, Yoshihiro KAI
  • Publication number: 20210111054
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a loading/unloading part into/from which a cassette that accommodates a plurality of substrates is loaded/unloaded; a batch-type processing part configured to collectively process a lot including the plurality of substrates; a single-substrate-type processing part configured to the plurality of substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part configured to deliver the plurality of substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part, wherein the loading/unloading part, the single-substrate-type processing part, the interface part, and the batch-type processing part are arranged in this order, and wherein the interface part comprises a lot formation part configured to form the lot, and a transfer part configured to transfer the plurality of substrates from the single-substrate-type processing part to the lot formation part, and configured to transfer the plurality of substrates from the batch-type processing part to the s
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kouzou KANAGAWA, Kotaro TSURUSAKI, Keiji ONZUKA, Yoshihiro KAI
  • Publication number: 20210035825
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing tub configured to store therein a processing liquid in which multiple substrates are to be immersed; multiple liquid supplies each of which includes a supply line through which the processing liquid is supplied to an inside of a water tank of the processing tub and a heating device configured to heat the processing liquid at a portion of the supply line; and multiple in-tank temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of the processing liquid at multiple positions within the water tank of the processing tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kazushige Sano, Yuichi Tanaka, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Patent number: 10851468
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a holding device that includes a conductive member and holds a substrate, a conduction path structure that includes a conductive material and positioned such that the conduction path structure is in contact with the holding device, a supply device that supplies a processing liquid to the substrate held by the holding device, and a grounding structure including a variable resistance device that changes a resistance such that the grounding structure has a first end portion connected the conduction path structure and a second end portion connected to a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadashi Iino, Toru Ihara, Yoshihiro Kai, Yoichi Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20200365424
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit 31 configured to hold a substrate W; an outer nozzle 45 configured to discharge a processing liquid toward a surface of the substrate from a position at an outside of an outer edge of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit such that at least a central portion of the surface of the substrate is covered with a liquid film of the discharged processing liquid; and an actuator 46 (90) configured to change a height position or a discharge angle of the outer nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kazuki Kosai, Yoshihiro Kai, Gentaro Goshi, Hiroshi Komiya, Seiya Fujimoto, Takahisa Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20200357667
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing unit including a holder that holds a substrate and rotates the substrate, a nozzle that ejects a processing liquid, and a conductive piping unit that supplies the processing liquid to the nozzle; a controller that causes the processing unit to execute a liquid processing in which the substrate is processed by supplying the processing liquid from the nozzle to the substrate that is held and rotated by the holder, and a measuring unit that measures a flowing current generated by the processing liquid flowing through the piping unit. The controller monitors the liquid processing based on a measurement result by the measuring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Tadashi IINO, Yoshihiro Kai, Yoichi Tokunaga, Nobuhiro Ogata, Jiro Higashijima
  • Patent number: 10770316
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit 31 configured to hold a substrate W; an outer nozzle 45 configured to discharge a processing liquid toward a surface of the substrate from a position at an outside of an outer edge of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit such that at least a central portion of the surface of the substrate is covered with a liquid film of the discharged processing liquid; and an actuator 46 (90) configured to change a height position or a discharge angle of the outer nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuki Kosai, Yoshihiro Kai, Gentaro Goshi, Hiroshi Komiya, Seiya Fujimoto, Takahisa Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20200227290
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises a processing tub and a fluid supply. In the processing tub, a processing is performed on multiple substrates by immersing the multiple substrates in a processing liquid. The fluid supply is disposed under the multiple substrates within the processing tub and configured to discharge a fluid to generate a liquid flow of the processing liquid within the processing tub. Further, the fluid supply includes multiple discharge paths configured to discharge the fluid to different regions in an arrangement direction of the multiple substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Yuji Kimura, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Patent number: 10700166
    Abstract: A nozzle cleaning device is capable of uniformly cleaning a nozzle from a front end of the nozzle to an upper part thereof. The nozzle cleaning device includes a storage tank, a liquid discharging portion and an overflow discharging portion. The storage tank has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and is configured to store therein a cleaning liquid that cleans a nozzle used in a substrate process. The liquid discharging portion is configured to discharge the cleaning liquid into the storage tank toward a position eccentric with respect to a central axis of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface to store the cleaning liquid within the storage tank and configured to form a vortex flow of the cleaning liquid revolving within the storage tank. The overflow discharging portion is configured to discharge the cleaning liquid that overflows the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kai, Shinya Ishikawa, Yuji Kamikawa, Shuichi Nagamine, Naoki Shindo
  • Publication number: 20190279884
    Abstract: A drying fluid can be uniformly supplied to a substrate. A substrate drying apparatus includes a processing chamber and a cover unit. The processing chamber is provided with an opening through which the substrate is carried in and out. The cover unit is configured to open or close the opening. Further, the cover unit includes a diffusion space and a rectifying member. The diffusion space is configured to diffuse a drying fluid therein. The rectifying member is configured to rectify a flow of the drying fluid diffused in the diffusion space and allow the rectified drying fluid to be flown out into the processing chamber from the diffusion space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Publication number: 20180337067
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit 31 configured to hold a substrate W; an outer nozzle 45 configured to discharge a processing liquid toward a surface of the substrate from a position at an outside of an outer edge of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit such that at least a central portion of the surface of the substrate is covered with a liquid film of the discharged processing liquid; and an actuator 46 (90) configured to change a height position or a discharge angle of the outer nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kazuki Kosai, Yoshihiro Kai, Gentaro Goshi, Hiroshi Komiya, Seiya Fujimoto, Takahisa Otsuka