Work Holders, Or Handling Devices Patents (Class 118/500)
  • Patent number: 12163228
    Abstract: A substrate carrier and a mechanism for moving the substrate carrier through a chemical vapor deposition system are provided. The substrate carrier includes a cylindrical housing having an interior surface. A plurality of plurality of shelves fixed to the interior surface, each shelf configured to support at least one substrate. The substrate carrier may include a connector configured to engage the substrate carrier with the mechanism. The mechanism may include a moveable arm and a motor configured to actuate the moveable arm. The moveable arm may include an actuating member connected to the motor and configured to move the moveable arm between a retracted state and an extended state. The moveable arm may be configured to operate in a chamber having a first pressure and a first temperature and the motor may be configured to operate in an environment having a second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignees: MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY, RAMOT AT TEL-AVIV UNIVERSITY LTD., SIMTAL NANO-COATINGS LTD
    Inventors: Elad Mentovich, Yaniv Rotem, Yaakov Gridish, Doron Naveh, Chen Stern, Yosi Ben-Naim, Ariel Ismach, Eran Bar-Rabi, Tal Kaufman
  • Patent number: 12129064
    Abstract: A hanger can include an elongated body defining: a first end defining at least one aperture; and a second end, the first end and the second end defined at opposite ends of the hanger along a longitudinal direction, the hanger being configured to support a hanging object at the second end; and a UV indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Product Launch Advisors, LLC
    Inventor: Richard O. Gregory, II
  • Patent number: 12115550
    Abstract: A dual-valve automatic calibration system comprises a primary positioner, a first secondary positioner and a second secondary positioner: the first secondary positioner and the second secondary positioner are connected with a first fluid coating unit and a second fluid coating unit, respectively; the primary positioner comprises a primary X-axis positioner and a primary Y-axis positioner; both the first secondary positioner and the second secondary positioner are connected with the primary X-axis positioner. In contrast to the prior art that a secondary positioner is installed on a primary Z-axis positioner, a dual-valve automatic calibration system contributes to promotion of positioning precision on the Z-axis and reduction of a burden imposed on the Z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lu-Min Chen, Tsung-Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 12119211
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus capable of locally controlling a plasma intensity and improving thin film properties and thickness uniformity includes: a power supply unit, a processing unit electrically connected to the power supply unit, and a substrate support unit below the processing unit, wherein the substrate support unit includes a first ground electrode and a second ground electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventor: ChangMin Lee
  • Patent number: 12107000
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly arranged in a chamber includes: a support plate including a first surface on which a substrate is seated; a driver configured to tilt the support plate such that the first surface is inclined with respect to a reference surface by a lower inclination angle; and a controller configured to control the driver such that the lower inclination angle is adjusted based on an upper inclination angle formed by the inclination of the gas supplier coupled to the upper surface of the chamber with respect to the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: JaeMin Roh, JuIll Lee, GunYong Park
  • Patent number: 12100579
    Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for use in a process chamber includes: a deposition ring including a first portion having an first inner ledge and a second portion having a second inner ledge, wherein in a first position, the first portion is spaced from the second portion, and wherein in a second position, the second portion is configured to engage the first portion so that the first inner ledge is aligned with the second inner ledge along a common plane to form a clamping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Abhishek Chowdhury, Edwin C. Suarez, Harisha Sathyanarayana, Nataraj Bhaskar Rao, Siqing Lu
  • Patent number: 12094694
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber including a processing room; a heating unit that heats the processing chamber; a support including a base thermally isolated from the processing chamber and fixed to the processing chamber, and a stage inserted into an opening provided toward the processing room while being supported by the base at a position distant from a reference position in a horizontal direction, and holds the substrate in the processing room; a stage peripheral member provided in the processing chamber along a periphery of the stage in a state of being inserted into the opening; and a first positioning pin fixed to the processing chamber to position the stage peripheral member, and a second positioning pin fixed to a position farther than the first positioning pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sumi Tanaka, Tamihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 12068182
    Abstract: A device for recognizing wafer identification number with automatically turning on and off recognizing function comprises a base, a support frame, a light source, a plurality of image capturing units, an image recognition unit and a control unit. The base comprises a wafer boat placing portion and a first switch disposed on the wafer boat placing portion. The light source and the image capturing units are disposed on the support frame. The control unit is electrically connected to the first switch, the light source, the image capturing units and the image recognition unit. As such, the device for recognizing wafer identification number with automatically turning on and off recognizing function can automatically turn on and off the light source, the image capturing units, and the image recognition unit, therefore the operation is very easy and convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wei-Chang Yeh, Shi-Yi Tan, Yuan Tzu Lin
  • Patent number: 12049038
    Abstract: An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Stratays, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Schmehl, Aljosa Kemperle, Stewart Schmehl
  • Patent number: 12020977
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lift pin assemblies for substrate processing chambers are provided. In some embodiments, a lift pin assembly includes a lift pin comprising a shaft, a head, and a coupling end, the head configured to rest against an electrostatic chuck; an upper guide comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a first opening extending from the top end to the bottom end, wherein the shaft is disposed and axially movable through the first opening; a lower guide comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a second opening and a third opening extending from the top end to the bottom end, wherein the third opening is larger than the second opening, and wherein the shaft is disposed and axially movable through the second opening and the third opening; and a biasing mechanism coupled to the shaft and configured to bias the lift pin against the electrostatic chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Sulyman, Anwar Husain, Timothy Joseph Franklin, Carlaton Wong, Xue Yang Chang
  • Patent number: 11984313
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer according to an embodiment includes a support region facing a support member, an outer circumferential region positioned on an outer side of the support region, and an inner circumferential region positioned on an inner side of the support region. The outer circumferential region has a convex portion with a thickness protruded upward with respect to the inner circumferential region or a concave portion with a thickness recessed downward with respect to the inner circumferential region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Koike, Manabu Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 11984344
    Abstract: A lift apparatus for moving an object up and down in a substrate processing apparatus, the lift apparatus including a body configured to support the object while a lift hole, included in the body, is overlapped by the object in a vertical direction; a lift pin configured to move the object up and down by moving up and down in the lift hole; a bellows including an upper flange, a lower flange, and a flexible pipe; a connector combined with a lower portion of the lift pin in the flexible pipe and configured to interfere with downward movement of the lift pin and to allow at least one from among rotation, sliding, and tilting of the lift pin; a load sensor configured to measure vertical load generated in accordance with movement of the lift pin; and an actuator configured to move the lift pin up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byeongsang Kim, Keonwoo Kim, Wooram Kim, Eungsu Kim, Heewon Min, Sangwook Park, Seungwon Shin, Dongyun Yeo, Geunsik Oh, Hyanjung Lee
  • Patent number: 11976363
    Abstract: Pedestal assemblies, purge rings for pedestal assemblies, and processing methods for increasing residence time of an edge purge gas in heated pedestal assemblies are described. Purge rings have an inner diameter face and an outer diameter face defining a thickness of the purge ring, a top surface and a bottom surface defining a height of the purge ring, and a thermal expansion feature. Purge rings comprise a plurality of apertures extending through the thickness and aligned circumferentially with a plurality of circumferentially spaced purge outlets in a substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhannad Mustafa, Mario D. Silvetti, Kevin Griffin
  • Patent number: 11961755
    Abstract: A substrate support includes a substrate support portion having an electrostatic chuck for adsorbing a substrate and a substrate heater electrode inside the electrostatic chuck; a ring support supporting an edge ring and having an edge ring heater electrode inside; a base having a central stage on which the substrate support portion is disposed, and an outer peripheral stage on which the ring support is disposed; a first power feeding terminal disposed immediately below the substrate support portion to supply a power to the substrate heater electrode; and a second power feeding terminal disposed immediately below the ring support to supply the power to the edge ring heater electrode. An upper surface of the outer peripheral stage is positioned lower than that of the central stage, and a thickness of the ring support is equal to or larger than 40% of a thickness of the substrate support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Shinya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11955362
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports and process chambers equipped with the same are provided. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes: a support body having a first surface; one or more receptacles extending through the first surface and into the support body; and one or more protrusions respectively disposed within corresponding ones of the one or more receptacles and projecting from the first surface, wherein the one or more protrusions at least partially define a substantially planar support surface above the first surface. Methods of eliminating backside wafer damage are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel M Huston, Cheng-Hsiung Tsai, Gwo-Chuan Tzu
  • Patent number: 11955321
    Abstract: An apparatus for plasma treatment of an implant prior to installing the implant in a live subject is provided. The apparatus comprises an activation device and a portable container detachable from the activation device. The portable container comprises a closed compartment containing the implant immersed in a fluid, and the activation device comprises a slot configured to receive the portable container. The activation device further comprises an electrical circuit configured to be electrically associated with at least one electrode and configured to provide to the at least one electrode electric power suitable for applying a plasma generating electric field in the closed compartment, when the portable container is disposed in the slot. A container suitable for providing plasma treatment to a silicone implant and a method for preparing an implant for implantation surgery are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NOVA PLASMA LTD.
    Inventors: Amnon Lam, Aviad Harhol, Eliezer Fuchs, Chen Porat
  • Patent number: 11895742
    Abstract: A ceramic heater includes a ceramic plate in which inner circumferential side and outer circumferential side resistance heating elements are built in; and a cylindrical shaft joined to a rear surface of the ceramic plate. A long hole is provided along a direction deviated from the diameter direction of the ceramic plate, and extends from a start point of a shaft inside area to a terminal position of the outer circumferential portion of the ceramic plate. A portion of the long hole forms a long groove, the portion passing through the shaft inside area. Terminals of the resistance heating elements are collectively provided in one of two division areas which are in the shaft inside area and divided by an axial line of the long groove, the one being a first division area having a larger area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11894254
    Abstract: A substrate support includes an electrostatic chuck having an upper surface, and a cover positioned on the electrostatic chuck to cover the upper surface thereof. The cover includes a first face adjacent the upper surface of the electrostatic chuck, a second face for supporting a substrate, and one or more conduits extending through the cover to permit a cooling gas to flow from the second face to the first face. The cover is made from a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SPTS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicolas Launay
  • Patent number: 11878323
    Abstract: A powder-coating process of a brake caliper has in sequence the steps of: (a) preparing the brake caliper; (b) applying masking elements to at least one seat and/or duct of said brake caliper; (c) distributing the coating powder on at least one portion of said brake caliper; (d) removing the at least one masking element by automated de-masking means; (e) curing inside a curing oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianluigi Roncalli, Alessio Garghentini
  • Patent number: 11865759
    Abstract: A wood-plastic/lumber composite co-extrusion feeder includes a frame, wherein at least one group of toothed conveying units, a tooth mark milling unit for milling tooth marks on an outer surface of a lumber, and a lumber co-extrusion mold are arranged on the frame in sequence, each toothed conveying unit includes a lower toothed pressure roller installed on a first fixed bearing seat and an upper toothed pressure roller installed on a first movable bearing seat, and after the first fixed bearing seat and the first movable bearing seat are connected by an adjustment unit, a first conveying channel having an adjustable height is formed between the upper toothed pressure roller and the lower-toothed pressure roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SOUTH CHINA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rongxian Ou, Qingwen Wang, Xin Yi, Wei Tang, Lichao Sun, Junjie Xu
  • Patent number: 11867777
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for measuring the relative position and angles between two bodies to be measured (7, 77). The invention is characterized in that it comprises one or more permanent magnets (6) and in that the position to be measured is determined indirectly via a magnetic field. The magnetic field is detected by one or more magnetic field sensors (3) read by a microchip. A mathematical minimization method is used to calculate back to the position and angles of the permanent magnet system (6) in relation to the magnetic field sensors (3). The energy required to read out the sensors can be obtained from the excitation field of a readout device. The sensor can perform without energy supply and can be read out by means of standard readout devices, such as an NFC-capable mobile telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Roman Windl
  • Patent number: 11848218
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor chamber component cleaning systems may include a receptacle. The receptacle may include a bottom lid that may be an annulus. The annulus may be characterized by an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall. A plurality of recessed annular ledges may be defined between the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall. Each recessed annular ledge of the plurality of recessed annular ledges may be formed at a different radial position along the bottom lid. The cleaning systems may include a top lid removably coupled with the bottom lid about an exterior region of the top lid. The cleaning systems may include a tank defining a volume to receive the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Katty Guyomard, Chidambara A. Ramalingam, Shawyon Jafari, Palash Joshi, Moin Ahmed Khan, Kirubanandan Naina Shanmugam, Subhaschandra Shreepad Salkod, Avishek Ghosh, David W. Groechel, Li Wu, Dorothea Buechel-Rimmel
  • Patent number: 11829081
    Abstract: A lift pin assembly is provided. The lift pin assembly includes a level bolt mounted on a first frame lifted by a lifting device, a lift pin having a weight provided at a lower end of the lift pin, and supported by the level bolt, and a pressing bracket to forcibly move down the lift pin, when the lift pin is locked into a pin hole. The pressing bracket is adjusted in height to be set while maintaining a specific gap to a top surface of the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wan Ho Do
  • Patent number: 11817332
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to load lock chambers and methods of using load lock chambers. The load lock chambers include a middle section, an upper section connected to the middle section and a lower section connected to the middle section. A slit valve in a facet on the outside of the middle section provides an opening to access the middle volume from outside the load lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Weaver, Andrew J. Constant, Shay Assaf, Jacob Newman
  • Patent number: 11810807
    Abstract: When processing of all the wafers accommodated in a first cassette mounted on a first cassette stage is ended, the last wafer is conveyed out from a holding surface of a chuck table, and the holding surface becomes vacant, the wafer accommodated in a second cassette mounted on a second cassette stage is immediately conveyed onto the holding surface, by control by a conveyance control section. When the wafer to be held by the holding surface is changed from the wafer conveyed out from the first cassette to the wafer conveyed out from the second cassette, processing conditions are changed over to the processing conditions corresponding to the second cassette stage, by changeover control by a changeover section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiko Kigawa, Nobuyuki Fukushi
  • Patent number: 11806737
    Abstract: The invention relates to a workpiece carrier device (1) comprising: a drive gear (3) for receiving workpiece arrangements (4), which is rotatable about a main axis (2), a number of drive bodies (6), which are arranged on the drive gear (3), are respectively rotatable about an axis of rotation (5) and each have a drive pinion (8) and a stationary internal input gear (9) with an inner toothing, which meshes with the drive pinions (8), wherein the axes of rotation (5) extend parallel to the main axis (2) and are arranged in an annular region of the drive gear (3) that runs concentrically in relation to the main axis (2), and so, when there is rotation of the drive gear (3) relative to the internal input gear (9), the drive bodies (6) rotate about their respective axes of rotation (5), wherein the internal input gear (9) and the drive bodies (6) with their drive pinions (8) are formed and arranged in relation to one another and a working clearance (S) is provided between the internal input gear (9) and the drive
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: OERLIKON SURFACE SOLUTIONS AG, Pfaffikon
    Inventor: Rudolf Meiler
  • Patent number: 11804364
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus capable of locally controlling a plasma intensity and improving thin film properties and thickness uniformity includes: a power supply unit, a processing unit electrically connected to the power supply unit, and a substrate support unit below the processing unit, wherein the substrate support unit includes a first ground electrode and a second ground electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventor: ChangMin Lee
  • Patent number: 11801537
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a substrate holder including a base member and configured to hold a substrate so as to be spaced apart upward from the base member; a rotary driver configured to rotationally drive the substrate holder; a processing liquid nozzle configured to supply a processing liquid to the substrate; a liquid receiving cup configured to receive the processing liquid scattered from the substrate; a cup exhaust passage configured to suction an atmosphere in the liquid receiving cup; a purge gas nozzle configured to discharge a purge gas into a space formed between the substrate and the base member; a purge gas flow rate controller configured to control a flow rate of the purge gas discharged from the purge gas nozzle; and a controller configured to control at least an operation of the purge gas flow rate controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takahito Nakashoya
  • Patent number: 11786929
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a spray coater including a spray nozzle unit having at least one spray nozzle and configured to spray a coating material, a spray nozzle transfer unit configured to control a position of the spray nozzle unit by operating a transfer block, on which the spray nozzle unit is mounted, at least in a planar direction, a substrate seating unit positioned below the spray nozzle unit and configured such that a substrate, which is subjected to coating, is seated thereon, a substrate carrier configured to accommodate the substrate before the substrate is coated and accommodate the substrate after the substrate is coated, and a robot arm configured to unload the substrate from the substrate carrier and provide the substrate to the substrate seating unit before the substrate is coated or unload the substrate from the substrate seating unit and load the substrate on the substrate carrier after the substrate is coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ADRC. CO. KR
    Inventor: Jin Jang
  • Patent number: 11749543
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of sets of sensor data associated with a processing chamber of a substrate processing system. Each of the plurality of sets of sensor data comprises a corresponding sensor value of the processing chamber mapped to a corresponding spacing value of the processing chamber. The method further includes providing the plurality of sets of sensor data as input to a trained machine learning model. The method further includes obtaining, from the trained machine learning model, one or more outputs indicative of a health of the processing chamber. The method further includes causing, based on the one or more outputs, performance of one or more corrective actions associated with the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuesong Lu, Yu Lei, Anup Phatak, Hyman W. H. Lam, Chong Jiang, Malcolm Emil Delaney, Yufei Hu
  • Patent number: 11728782
    Abstract: A resonator device includes: a base including a semiconductor substrate; a resonator element; and a lid to be bonded to the base, the lid and the base forming a cavity for accommodating the resonator element. An integrated circuit is disposed at the semiconductor substrate, the integrated circuit including an oscillation circuit electrically coupled to the resonator element, a memory circuit configured to store a reference value of an output characteristic of the resonator element, and a determination circuit configured to compare a detection value of the output characteristic of the resonator element with the reference value and determine an airtight state inside the cavity based on a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujii, Koji Kitahara
  • Patent number: 11715665
    Abstract: A height adjustable semiconductor wafer support is provided. The height adjustable semiconductor wafer support includes a chuck for supporting a semiconductor wafer, an adjustment mechanism having a top surface for supporting the chuck, and a stage coupled to the adjustment mechanism such that movement of the top surface of the adjustment mechanism relative to the stage changes a distance between the top surface of the adjustment mechanism and a top surface of the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Ming Shing, Yichi Yen, Chun Liang Chen, Kuo Lun Lo
  • Patent number: 11710619
    Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus that can excellently perform uniform processing and can efficiently perform regular maintenance and occasional maintenance even in the case where the diameter of a workpiece is increased. A vacuum processing apparatus having a vacuum transport chamber includes: a lower container in a cylindrical shape; a sample stage unit including a sample stage and a ring-shaped sample stage base having a support beam disposed in axial symmetry with respect to the center axis of the sample stage; an upper container in a cylindrical shape; and a moving unit that is fixed to the sample stage base and moves the sample stage unit in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Sato, Akitaka Makino, Kazuumi Tanaka, Yusaku Sakka
  • Patent number: 11700859
    Abstract: A pizza saucer having a housing in which components may be mounted. The housing includes a base having an upwardly facing deck, a neck that extends from the base to a head, and a manifold mounted to the head facing the deck. The housing contains at least one pump to convey pizza sauce from a source to the manifold, and a computer that controls a rotary prime mover in the base with a driveshaft extending through the deck to a tray drivingly linked to the driveshaft. An input, such as a touchscreen, is mounted to the head and faces the user during operation. With the touchscreen, the user may input the crust size. The computer actuates the pumps and the rotary prime mover, simultaneously causing the crust to rotate 360-370 degrees and the manifold to dispense sauce onto the crust until the crust is coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Edge Exponential LLC
    Inventors: Hayden Frea, James E. Grote
  • Patent number: 11694920
    Abstract: A substrate support device relating to technology disclosed in the description of the present application includes: a holding plate for opposing a substrate bowable by being heated by irradiation with flash light; and a plurality of substrate support pins provided on the holding plate and being for supporting the substrate, wherein the plurality of substrate support pins are arranged at locations where a volume of a space between the holding plate and the substrate in an unbowed state and a volume of a space between the holding plate and the substrate in a bowed state are equal to each other. Breakage of the substrate can be suppressed in a case where the substrate is bowed by flash light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Scott Prengle
  • Patent number: 11680316
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus including a chamber having a deposition area and a non-deposition area, a gas intake device communicated with the chamber, a gas annulus disposed in the chamber and surrounding the gas intake device, a carrier disposed in the deposition area and a retaining annulus disposed in chamber and surrounding the carrier. The gas intake device is disposed corresponding to the deposition area and configured to draw a process gas into the deposition area. The gas annulus is configured to generate an annular gas curtain in the deposition area. The carrier carries a deposited object, wherein the gas annulus is located between the gas intake device and the carrier. The deposited object is surrounded by the annular gas curtain. The retaining annulus has a plurality of through holes. The retaining annulus is located between the gas annulus and the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuan-Chou Chen, Ching-Chiun Wang, Chih-Yung Huang, Muh-Wang Liang, Yi-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 11675264
    Abstract: A reticle cleaning system includes a casing, a reticle holder, and a static charge reducing device. The reticle holder is in the casing and configured to hold a reticle. The static charge reducing device is above the reticle holder and includes a fluid generator, an ionizer, and a static charge sensor. The fluid generator is configured to control a humidity condition in the casing. The ionizer is configured to provide ionized air molecules to the reticle. The static charge sensor is configured to detect a static charge value on the reticle, wherein the ionizer is between the fluid generator and the static charge sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Chang Cheng, Chi-Hung Liao
  • Patent number: 11670535
    Abstract: A carrier plate for receiving a wafer includes a pocket defined in a middle section on a top surface of the carrier plate and has a surface diameter. The pocket defines a substrate support region. A retaining feature of the carrier plate is defined at an outer edge of the pocket. A tapered portion of the carrier plate extends from the retaining feature to an outer diameter. The tapered portion is configured to receive a focus ring. A bottom surface of the carrier plate is configured to sit over a pedestal that is used in a process chamber. A plurality of wafer supports is disposed on a top surface of the substrate support region to support the wafer, when received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Karl Leeser
  • Patent number: 11664203
    Abstract: An electrostatic-chuck heater is a Johnsen-Rahbek electrostatic-chuck heater and is used in a process of forming a conductive film on a wafer. The electrostatic-chuck heater includes a disc-shaped ceramic base including an electrostatic electrode and a heating resistor, and a hollow shaft attached to a side of the ceramic base that is opposite a wafer-mounting surface. A protruding ring is provided on the wafer-mounting surface and having an outside diameter smaller than a diameter of the wafer. A through-hole extends in a peripheral wall of the hollow shaft from a lower end through to an area of the wafer-mounting surface that is on an inner side with respect to the protruding ring. The through-hole allows gas to be supplied from the lower end of the hollow shaft into a below-wafer space enclosed by the wafer-mounting surface, the protruding ring, and the wafer mounted on the wafer-mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Unno, Reo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11664267
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly arranged in a chamber includes: a support plate including a first surface on which a substrate is seated; a driver configured to tilt the support plate such that the first surface is inclined with respect to a reference surface by a lower inclination angle; and a controller configured to control the driver such that the lower inclination angle is adjusted based on an upper inclination angle formed by the inclination of the gas supplier coupled to the upper surface of the chamber with respect to the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: JaeMin Roh, Julll Lee, GunYong Park
  • Patent number: 11651990
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus may include a chuck including a plurality of pin holes and a plurality of lift pins positioned to rise and fall through the plurality of pin holes. The substrate processing apparatus may include a lift plate configured to raise and lower the lift pins. The plurality of lift pins may include a lift pin having a rod shape configured to move up and down in a pin hole of the plurality of pin holes, a flexure coupled to a lower portion of the lift pin, a weight body positioned underneath the lift plate, and a weight string connecting the flexure and the weight body. The lift plate may include a string hole through which the weight string passes through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ilyoung Han, Hunyong Park, Sohee Han, Nohsung Kwak
  • Patent number: 11642836
    Abstract: A removable window cassette (100) for a bottom-up stereolithography apparatus includes (a) a light-transmissive window (110) having a rigid bottom portion (112), a semipermeable top portion (114), and a fluid flow region therebetween; (b) a circumferential frame (120) surrounding said window and into which said window is recessed, said frame having a top portion, a bottom portion, and an internal wall portion (120C), said frame internal wall portion defining with said window semipermeable top portion a well into which a polymerizable liquid may be received; and (c) a plurality of clamp draw-in pins (140) connected to said frame bottom portion and extending downward therefrom; and (d) at least a first and second port (150A, 150B) connected to said frame bottom portion, with said first port in fluid communication with said second port through said window fluid flow region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventor: James Michael Ian Bennett
  • Patent number: 11618946
    Abstract: A method includes providing thermal energy to a component, determining a thermal response of the component in response to providing the thermal energy, and determining a thermal characteristic of the component based on a reference thermal response and the thermal response. The method includes predicting a surface condition of the component based on the thermal characteristic and a predictive analytic model, where the predictive analytic model correlates the thermal characteristic of the component to an estimated surface condition of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jacob Lindley, Philip Schmidt, Miranda Pizzella, Mark D. Everly
  • Patent number: 11613432
    Abstract: A method includes estimating a replacement time of a consumable part of a processing device, specifying a timing after substrate processing of the processing device is completed in a period before the replacement time as a replaceable timing of the consumable part, estimating a movement time period required for the part transporting device to move to a position of the processing device requiring the replacement, and estimating a preparation time period required for preparation until the part transporting device moved to the position of the processing device requiring the replacement becomes a state in which the consumable part is replaceable. The method further includes transmitting a replacement instruction to the part transporting device at a timing before a timing that is earlier than the replaceable timing by a total time of the movement time period and the preparation time period, and instructing the replacement of the consumable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuki Moyama, Kazuya Nagaseki, Toshiya Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11597236
    Abstract: A method of applying an air barrier material to an inner surface of a tire includes steps of: (a) performing a post-cure inflation of the tire; (b) placing the tire onto a dump gate platform after finishing the post-cure inflation of the tire; and (c) spraying the air barrier material onto the inner surface of the tire while the tire is on the dump gate platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph D. Deering
  • Patent number: 11575335
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrostatic chuck device capable of uniformly cooling or heating a fixedly adsorbed substrate. The electrostatic chuck device includes an electrostatic chuck plate, a bonding layer, and a base. The bonding layer has a bonding agent bonded to a rear surface of the electrostatic chuck plate. The base has a bonding surface bonded to the bonding layer and a plurality of protrusions radially extending from a central part toward an outer circumferential surface of the bonding surface. The ends of the respective protrusions on the central part may be arranged at intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Moriya
  • Patent number: 11569071
    Abstract: A processing chamber includes a ground shield and a cover ring. The ground shield includes an annular body, and at least one guide pin extending from the annular body. The cover ring is positioned on the ground shield, and includes an annular body including at least one recess. At least a part of the at least one guide pin is receivable in the at least one recess, an inner cylindrical ring extends from the annular body, and an outer cylindrical ring extends from the annular body and is radially separated from the inner cylindrical ring by a horizontally extending portion of the annular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Cheng Wu, Sheng-Ying Wu, Ming-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 11538715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stage which comprises: a plate-shaped member having a mounting surface on which a workpiece to be processed is mounted and a rear surface facing the mounting surface, said plate-shaped member being provided with a through hole that penetrates through the mounting surface and the rear surface; and an embedded member disposed inside the through hole. This stage is configured such that the surface of the embedded member is provided with at least one of a concave portion and a convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryo Chiba, Yasuharu Sasaki, Akira Nagayama
  • Patent number: 11538683
    Abstract: A method deposits an epitaxial layer on a front side of a semiconductor wafer having monocrystalline material. The method includes: providing the semiconductor wafer; arranging the semiconductor wafer on a susceptor; heating the semiconductor wafer to a deposition temperature using thermal radiation directed to the front side and to the rear side of the semiconductor wafer; conducting a deposition gas over the front side of the semiconductor wafer; and selectively reducing an intensity of a portion of the thermal radiation that is directed to the rear side of the semiconductor wafer, as a result of which first partial regions at an edge of the semiconductor wafer, in the first partial regions a growth rate of the epitaxial layer is greater than in adjacent second partial regions given uniform temperature of the semiconductor wafer owing to an orientation of the monocrystalline material, are heated more weakly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SILTRONIC AG
    Inventors: Joerg Haberecht, Rene Stein, Stephan Heinrich
  • Patent number: 11535949
    Abstract: There is provided the substrate holder for holding a substrate comprising a first holding member, a second holding member, a sealing member, a pin, a ring, and a moving mechanism. The sealing member forms a sealed space inside the substrate holder. The pin is fixed to one of the first holding member and the second holding member. The ring is disposed on another of the first holding member and the second holding member. The ring engages with the pin. The moving mechanism circumferentially moves the ring. The pin and the ring are engaged with one another to fix the first holding member and the second holding member to one another. The pin and the ring are disposed inside the sealed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Seki, Hideki Takayanagi, Kiyoshi Suzuki, Masayuki Satake, Jumpei Fujikata