IP Library Granted Patent US 7,074,278
Granted Patent B2
US 7,074,278 · App. 10/617,928 · Granted Jul 11, 2006

Removable lid and floating pivot

Assignee: Tegal Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,074,278
App. No.
10/617,928
Granted
Jul 11, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor processing system includes a chamber adapted to process a wafer, the chamber having an opening to facilitate access to the interior of the chamber. The system has a lid coupled to the chamber opening, the lid having an open position and a closed position. An actuator is connected to the lid to move the lid between the closed position and the open position. The system may include a floating pivot coupled to the lid and the actuator to align the lid with the opening when the lid closes.

Claims (28)

1. A semiconductor processing system, comprising: a chamber adapted to process a wafer, the chamber having an opening to facilitate access to the interior of the chamber; a lid coupled to the chamber opening, the lid having an open position and a closed position; an actuator coupled to the lid to move the lid between the closed position and the open position; and a self-centering floating pivot coupled to the lid and the actuator to align the lid with the opening when the lid closes.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fixed pivot coupled to the lid and the actuator.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a guide link coupled to the fixed pivot.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a load link coupled to the floating pivot.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a guide shaft rotatably coupled to the load link.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a drive pivot positioned at one end of the load link.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a rod extending from the actuator coupled to the drive pivot to move the lid.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a support bracket coupled to the actuator and the chamber body.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is air actuated or hydraulically actuated.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is motorized.

11. A semiconductor processing system, comprising: a chamber adapted to process a wafer, the chamber having an opening to facilitate access to the interior of the chamber; and a lid coupled to the chamber opening, the lid having an open position and a closed position, the open and closed positions being moved translationally in a substantially parallel manner relative to the opening; and an actuator coupled to the lid to move the lid between the closed position and the open position.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a self-centering floating pivot to automatically align the lid to the body of the chamber.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the pivot further comprises: a load link having first and second portions; a bearing positioned between the first and second portions of the bearing; and a self-centering spring coupled to the perimeter of the bearing.

14. A semiconductor processing system, comprising;

a chamber adapted to process a wafer, the chamber having an opening to facilitate access to the interior of the chamber;

a lid coupled to the chamber opening, the lid having an opened position and a closed position;

an actuator coupled to the lid to move the lid between closed position and the opened position; and

a floating pivot coupled to the lid and the actuator to align the lid with the opening when the lid closes;

wherein the actuator is motorized.

15. A semiconductor processing system, comprising;

a chamber adapted to process a wafer, the chamber having an opening to facilitate access to the interior of the chamber; and

a lid coupled to the chamber opening, the lid having an open position and a closed position, the opened and the closed positions being moved horizontally in a substantially parallel manner relative to the opening; and

a actuator coupled to the lid to move the lid between the closed position and the opened position;

a floating pivot to automatically align the lid to the body of the chamber;

wherein the pivot further comprises:

a load link having first and second portions;

a bearing positioned between the first and second portions of the bearing; and

self-centering spring coupled to the perimeter of the bearing.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2012
From: TEGAL CORPORATION
To: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027579/0964 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2004
From: SIMPLUS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: TEGAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015083/0228 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2004
From: SIMPLUS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: TEGAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014327/0484 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2003
From: NGUYEN, TUE; BERCAW, CRAIG ALAN
To: SIMPLUS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014280/0784 →
Continuity (2)
Division 0976460500 · Jan 17, 2004
Related Publication 20040007581A1 · Jan 15, 2004