CONNECTOR APPARATUS AND SYSTEM INCLUDING CONNECTOR APPARATUS
A connector apparatus is provided which is configured to replace a separation module in a system for dispensing a fluid. When it is desired to purge the system of a dispensed fluid, the connector apparatus, having the same configuration of an inlet and an outlet as the separation module, replaces the separation module and a purging fluid is passed through the system.
This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/440,459, filed May 16, 2003, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/079,360, filed Feb. 20, 2002 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,821), which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/113,837, filed Jul. 10, 1998 (U. S. Pat. No. 6,378,907), which is a Continuation-in-Part of 08/678,795, filed Jul. 12, 1996 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,770).
The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a connector apparatus for connecting elements of a fluid transfer system and to the system including the connector apparatus. Fluid separation devices having an easily replaceable and disposable fluid separation module have been used to control contamination in industrial processes for many years. Such devices are an integral part of the manufacture of many products including pharmaceuticals, food stuffs and beverages. However, nowhere is the need for effective contamination control greater than in the semiconductor fabrication industry. With circuit details in the submicron range and with further feature size reductions inevitable, the need for control of particulate, ionic, organic and other contaminants in semiconductor process fluids is essential. Also, because semiconductor devices are fabricated in clean rooms, it is important to minimize the potential of contaminating the manufacturing environment. For this reason, disposable fluid separation devices are preferable in semiconductor fabrication processes in order to minimize contamination of the process lines as well as the clean room.
Examples of semiconductor process fluids which are processed at the point of use (POU) include those chemicals used in photolithographic processing (photochemicals). Photochemicals include materials such as primers, adhesion promoters, photoresists, edge bead removers, antireflective coatings, developers, dielectrics, and the like. Such chemicals are commonly dispensed onto the silicon wafer by a specialized pump and subsequently dispersed into a uniform thin film using a process called spin coating. The purity of these chemicals at the POU is essential to producing acceptable product yields.
Fluid separation devices are in general of two types. In the first type, the separation element that includes a filter is a replaceable component, while the pressure vessel which houses the element, i.e., the housing, is reusable. The housing also contains appropriate fluid connections to the rest of the fluid processing system. Replacing the fluid separation element requires opening the housing, removing the separation element, installing the replacement separation element into the housing and closing the housing. There are many disadvantages to this type of fluid separation device. First, the replacement operation is time consuming, especially if access to the housing is restricted. Secondly, because the housing contains a quantity of the fluid being processed and because the fluid separation element is usually saturated with the fluid, spillage of the fluid usually occurs. In the case of hazardous fluids, spills can be a threat to the well-being of personnel in the area as well as potentially damaging to nearby equipment and facilities. Finally, the opening of the housing exposes the internal surfaces of the fluid processing system to unwanted contamination from the surrounding environment.
The second type of separation device is one in which the separation element is permanently attached to the housing, which also contains appropriate fluid connections to the rest of the fluid processing system, to form an integrated module. In this case, replacement involves disconnecting the entire separation module from the fluid processing system and reconnecting a replacement module to the system. In this manner replacement is easier, exposure of the operator to hazardous chemicals is minimized, the reliability of the connection is significantly improved, and contamination of the fluid processing system by the environment is reduced. The type of separation device is referred to as a disposable module, since the whole module is removed and disposed of whenever the separation element requires replacement regardless of what connector design is employed. Disposable modules usually require that multiple connections be made sequentially, a minimum of two connections, and more typically three or four. Threaded fasteners are cumbersome and sometimes difficult to engage; factors which involve the subsequent consumption of additional time and effort. Furthermore, the module has to be held in place while the connections are being made, which makes the connection event even more difficult since it requires performing two actions at the same time (i.e., holding the module in place and attaching each connector sequentially). Finally, in those applications in which the permanent connections to the fluid processing system are not rigid, as for example, when flexible tubing is used, liquid has a tendency to be discharged as the connections disengage. All of these problems exacerbate the time and effort required to replace a disposable module, in addition to still allowing for exposure of personnel to hazardous materials, and contamination of the manufacturing environment.
For these reasons, some disposable separation modules have been designed with features that allow them to be connected quickly and easily to the fluid processing system in a “quick-connect” fashion. These types of quick-connect modules provide for a set of connectors that sealingly engage with a single, simple stroke or action, to a mating set of connectors attached to a reusable substrate. Different types of mechanisms have been designed to accomplish quick-connect retention, all of which heretofore have required some form of relative motion between the male connector and its female counterpart, most commonly a twisting action.
Periodically, the fluid delivery systems utilizing a disposable separation module must be flushed of the liquid composition being delivered in order to prepare the system for delivery of another liquid composition. Since the separation module contains retentate from the initially processed liquid composition, it must be replaced during the flushing procedure. Also, because a separation module is an integral part of the fluid delivery system, one must be included in the system during flushing. The separation module utilized during the flushing procedure must be replaced after flushing since it contains retentate from the initial liquid composition removed from the system during the flushing step. This procedure is undesirable since the separation module is expensive.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a means for flushing a liquid delivery system of processed liquid which does not require a separation module. In addition, it would be desirable to provide such a means which permits addition of a separation module to the system without otherwise changing the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a connector apparatus which can be substituted for a separation module in a system for dispensing a filtered fluid composition. The connector apparatus includes fluid inlet means configured in the same pattern as the fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means of the separation module. The connector apparatus is nonworking in that it performs no function other than transferring fluid therethrough.
The present invention also provides a system for purging a fluid from a fluid dispensing system which includes a feed pump, a dispensing pump and the connector apparatus of this invention.
This connector apparatus of this invention is useful for purging a fluid from a fluid dispensing system which includes a pump. The fluid dispensing system can include a single pump or a plurality of pumps such as a two pump system comprising a dispensing pump and a feed pump. Such a system, when dispensing a fluid includes a separation module having a separation element which separates unwanted components of the fluid from the fluid composition being dispensed. The connector apparatus of this invention replaces a separation module having a filter means by disconnecting the separation module from fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means of the module from conduits in the system which connect to the inlet means and the outlet means. The connector apparatus of this invention has the same configuration of inlets and outlets on its outer surface as on the outer surface of the separation module it replaces so that it is compatible with the remainder of the fluid dispensing system.
The present invention will be particularly described herein with reference to a two pump fluid dispensing system including a feed pump, a dispensing pump and a separation module having a particular configuration of inlet means and outlet means. However, it is to be understood that the present invention can be utilized in a fluid dispensing system having a separation module regardless of the outer surface configuration of inlet means and outlet means on the surface of the separation module. For example, the connector apparatus of this invention can be utilized to replace a filtration module including a filter and a filter housing as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,837 and 5,516,429 which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, it is to be understood that the connector apparatus of this invention also is useful in a fluid dispensing system utilizing a single pump or more than two pumps.
The connector apparatus of this invention provides the substantial advantages of avoiding the need for a separation module including a separation element, when purging a fluid dispensing system. In addition, the volume capacity of the connector apparatus can be minimized to the volume needed to transport fluid therethrough so that the purge fluid needed for the system can be substantially less than the interior volume of the separation module.
An example of the application of this invention is in the point of use (POU) purification of photochemicals used in the microelectronics manufacturing industry. Photochemical dispense pumps and POU fluid separation devices are typically found in a drawer mounted beneath the spin coating apparatus. There are sometimes as many as eight pumps per drawer, severely limiting access to POU fluid separation devices which may be close-coupled to the dispense pumps to eliminate extraneous external plumbing and potential fluid contamination. Particularly suitable dispense pump and separation devices are those in which the pump and separation device form an integrated system as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,068 whose disclosure is incorporated by reference. User-friendly separation modules capable of being connected in a quick-connect fashion would be preferable in this application.
A fluid dispensing apparatus useful with the connector apparatus of the present invention is shown in
The process of replacing disposable filtration module 2 is accomplished by pulling the handle 34a forward, i.e., in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion required for engaging the female connectors 21 to the male connectors 25. This unlocks latch 34 from retainer post 36 and permits the unhinged end of module receptor 5 to be freed from the pump 4, thereby allowing the entire module 2 to pivot downward on hinges 33 a distance sufficient to move connectors 21 on the module out of sealing engagement with mating connectors 25 on manifold block 3. With the module receptor 5 in this lowered position, module 2 may be removed from the dispense system by sliding it out of the slots 32. A replacement filtration module may then be inserted into the slots followed by pivoting module receptor 5 upward to engage connectors 21 into sealing engagement with mating connectors 25 on the manifold block. When replacement module 2 is in sealing engagement with mating connectors 25, cutout 34b automatically locks into notch 35 thereby retaining the filtration module in sealing engagement to the manifold block during fluid processing conditions.
As seen from the foregoing description of the removal and installation of filtration module 2, the engagement and sealing of mating connections 21 and 25 is effected by a first substantially linear motion which is parallel to the axis defining the body of the connectors. The interlocking of the matable elements and consequent retention of the module is then accomplished without relative motion between the mating connectors by a second substantially linear motion which is perpendicular to the first motion corresponding to engagement and sealing of the connectors. Also, it is clear that the present quick-connect arrangement provides simultaneous connection and sealing of all the connectors on the top of the disposable filtration module 2. However, it is apparent that the benefits so derived apply equally even if the module receptor 5 were swung in a greater arc and even if the mating connectors were engaged somewhat sequentially so long as the engagement and retention is effected rapidly and easily enough to be considered a “quick-connect”.
As shown in
As shown in
The operation of the fluid dispensing system including the disposable filtration module 2 will be described with reference to
In a third step, barrier valve 54 is closed and vent valve 62 is opened. The feed pump 50 is activated to push a small amount of liquid and any microbubbles therein out of module 2 through conduit 64.
In a fourth step, the barrier valve 54 is closed and the purge valve 66 is opened and dispense pump 60 pushes a small amount of liquid from the dispense chamber in pump 60 and back to the inlet source 68 through conduit 70. This step ensures that the dispense fluid is free of potential microbubbles.
In a fifth step, purge valve 66 is closed and isolate valve 53 is opened and the feed pump 50 and system are allowed to reach ambient pressure. At this point, the system is ready to dispense liquids.
In a sixth step, the outlet valve 72 is opened and the dispenser pump 60 is activated to dispense liquid therefrom through outlet conduit 74 onto wafer 76. In this fluid dispensing process, the feed pump 50 and dispenser pump 60 can be operated independently of each other.
When the dispense system is ready to be purged of the liquid composition being dispensed such as when it is desired to dispense a second liquid composition, module 2 is replaced with connector apparatus 40. The six steps described above for dispensing a liquid then are repeated with a purging liquid in order to purge the entire system of the dispense liquid. It is to be understood that any alternative sequence of steps which assures that purging liquid is passed through the entire system to assure purging of the dispense liquid can be utilized.
After the system is purged, the connector apparatus of this invention is replaced with a fresh module 2 and the above-described dispersing process is repeated to purge the system of the purging fluid and to effect dispensing of a second dispense liquid composition.
Referring to
Release of the arm 90 from the flange 84 is effected by pulling on arm 88 which then permits the arms 82 to be pivoted about connection 86 as shown in
Claims
1. A system for purging a dispensed fluid within a fluid dispensing system which comprises:
- a pump means for use in a fluid dispensing system;
- a connector apparatus positioned within said fluid dispensing system;
- said pump means and said connector apparatus being in fluid communication;
- said connector apparatus having a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on its outer surface that is the same as a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on the outer surface of a separation module resulting in the connector apparatus being interchangeable in said fluid dispensing system with the separation module having a filter, the connector apparatus including at least three connectors including the inlet means and outlet means; and
- said connector apparatus being free of a filter.
2. A system for purging a dispensed fluid within a fluid dispensing system which comprises:
- a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from a fluid dispensing system;
- a feed pump for introducing fluid into said fluid dispensing system;
- a connector apparatus positioned between said feed pump and said dispenser pump;
- said feed pump, dispenser pump and connector apparatus being in fluid communication;
- means for introducing fluid into said feed pump;
- means for removing fluid from said dispenser pump;
- said connector apparatus having a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on its outer surface that is the same as a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on the outer surface of a separation module used in the fluid dispensing system, resulting in the connector apparatus being interchangeable in said fluid dispensing system with the separation module having a separation element, and the connector apparatus including at least three connectors including the inlet means and outlet means; and
- said connector apparatus being free of a separation element.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said three connectors effect fluid communication among said feed pump, said dispenser and said connector apparatus.
4. A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, said system including pump for pumping said fluid and a separation module including a separation element, said separation module comprising an outer surface having a configuration comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet for delivering fluid into said separation module and removing fluid from said separation module, the configuration allowing the separation module to connect to a fluid connector member of said fluid dispensing system, the process comprising:
- substituting a connector apparatus for said separation module, the connector apparatus comprising an outer surface comprising a configuration of at least one inlet and at least one outlet that is the same as the configuration of the outer surface of said separation module;
- said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the at least one inlet and at least one outlet;
- and activating said pump to pass a fluid throughout said system to purge said system.
5. A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, said system including a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from said system, a feed pump for introducing said fluid into said system and for delivering said fluid to said dispenser pump and a separation module including a separation element interposed between said dispenser pump and said feed pump for separating fluid delivered by said feed pump to said dispenser pump, said separation module comprising an outer surface comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet for delivering fluid into said separation module and removing fluid from said separation module, the configuration allowing the separation module to connect to a fluid connector member of said fluid dispensing system, the process comprising:
- substituting a connector apparatus for said separation module, the connector apparatus comprising an outer surface comprising a-configuration of at least one inlet and at least one outlet that is the same-as the configuration of the outer surface of said separation module;
- said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the at least one inlet and at least one outlet;
- and activating said feed pump and said dispenser pump to pass a fluid throughout said system to purge said system.
6. The process of claim 4 wherein the connector apparatus comprises a flange that is configured to be received in a slot of the dispensing system.
7. The process of claim 5 wherein the connector apparatus comprises a flange that is configured to be received in a slot of the dispensing system.
8. A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, said system including a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from said system, a feed pump for introducing said fluid into said system and for delivering said fluid to said dispenser pump and a separation module including a filter interposed between said dispenser pump and said feed pump for separating fluid delivered by said feed pump to said dispenser pump, said separation module having a configuration of connectors for delivering fluid into said separation module and removing fluid from said separation module on the outer surface of said separation module, the process comprising:
- disconnecting said separation module from a location in the fluid dispensing system;
- connecting a connector apparatus to the fluid dispensing system at the location previously occupied by said separation module, the connector apparatus having a configuration on its outer surface of connectors substantially similar to the configuration of connectors on the outer surface of said removed separation module, said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the connectors on its outer surface; and
- activating said feed pump and said dispenser pump to pass a fluid throughout said system, including through said connector apparatus, to purge said system.
9. A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, comprising:
- providing a connector apparatus that includes a body defining an internal volume that is substantially filter-free, an outer surface of the body having at least one inlet connector and at least one outlet connector that are in fluid communication through the substantially filter-free internal volume;
- engaging the at least one inlet connector and the at least one outlet connector with a receiving member of the fluid dispensing system; and
- passing a purging fluid throughout the system including the connector apparatus, resulting in the fluid dispensing system being purged in a manner free of a separation module.
10. The process of claim 1 wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system.
11. The process of claim 5 wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system.
12. The process of claim 8 wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system.
13. The process of claim 9 wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system.
14. A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, comprising:
- providing a fluid dispensing system including a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from the system, a feed pump for introducing a fluid into the system and for delivering the fluid to the dispenser pump, and a separation module including a separation means interposed between the dispenser pump and the feed pump for separating fluid delivered by the feed pump to the dispenser pump, the separation module having a configuration of inlet means and outlet means for delivering fluid into the separation module and removing fluid from the separation module on the outer surface of the separation module;
- substituting a connector apparatus for the separation module, the connector apparatus having the same configuration on its outer surface of inlet means and outlet means as the configuration of inlet means and outlet means on the outer surface of the separation module;
- said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the inlet means and outlet means on its outer surface;
- and activating the feed pump and the dispenser pump to pass a fluid throughout said system to purge said system.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 23, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 25, 2011
Inventors: J. Karl Niermeyer (Tyngsboro, MA), Jeffrey M. Campbell (Foxboro, MA)
Application Number: 12/861,516
International Classification: B67D 1/08 (20060101);