IP Library Granted Patent US 8,336,188
Granted Patent B2
US 8,336,188 · App. 12/175,359 · Granted Dec 25, 2012

Thin wafer chuck

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,336,188
App. No.
12/175,359
Granted
Dec 25, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems, in one embodiment, are described related to a chuck with a plurality of vacuum grooves on a surface. Each single vacuum groove of the plurality of vacuum grooves has a single port connected with a single vacuum line coupled to a vacuum source. The single vacuum line is not shared with another groove and a restriction is applied to the single vacuum line in order to isolate each single vacuum groove.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a chuck with a plurality of vacuum grooves on a surface, each single vacuum groove of the plurality of vacuum grooves having a single port connected with a single vacuum line coupled to a vacuum source, the single vacuum line not being shared with another groove, wherein a restriction is applied to the single vacuum line in order to isolate each single vacuum groove;

at least one sensor connected with the single vacuum line, the at least one sensor configured to determine when a pressurized vacuum region is created within the single vacuum groove that is associated with the single vacuum line; and

a blower system configured to activate a blower to create a downward pressure in response to the at least one sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the single port is within the single vacuum groove, the single vacuum groove being configured to be separate from other grooves to allow a pressurized vacuum region to be created when a vacuum suction is applied to engage a warped object to the surface of the chuck.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the single port of each single vacuum groove is arranged along a radial line extending from a center of the chuck to an outer radius of the chuck.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the restriction that is applied to the single vacuum line is a single hose having a hose length configured to isolate a sealed groove from a leaking groove within the plurality of vacuum grooves and wherein the single port is the only port to the vacuum source for its respective groove.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the single hose has a length of about 42 inches and an inner hose diameter of about 0.0625 inches to create a restriction between the plurality of vacuum grooves.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each single vacuum groove is capable of maintaining a sealed vacuum suction of at least 80% of a maximum vacuum suction within a groove.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the restriction that is applied to the single vacuum line is a needle valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vacuum grooves are arranged in a plurality of concentric circular grooves across the surface of the chuck.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of concentric grooves are spaced about 1 inch in diameter apart from one another.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a first ring has a diameter of about 1 inch and a seventh ring has a diameter of about 7.2 inches.

11. A system comprising:

a base supported by a frame;

a stage supported by the base and configured to be moveable relative to the frame;

a chuck coupled to the stage and configured to support an object, the chuck having a plurality of vacuum grooves on a surface, each single vacuum groove of the plurality of vacuum grooves having a single port connected with a single vacuum line coupled to a vacuum source, the single vacuum line not being shared with another groove, wherein a restriction is applied to the single vacuum line in order to isolate each single vacuum groove;

at least one sensor coupled with the single vacuum line, the at least one sensor configured to determine when a pressurized vacuum region is created within the single vacuum groove that is associated with the single vacuum line; and

a blower system configured to activate a blower to create a downward pressure on the object supported by the chuck in response to the at least one sensor.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the restriction that is applied to the single vacuum line is a single hose having a hose length configured to isolate a sealed vacuum groove from a leaking groove within the plurality of vacuum grooves.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2025
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: FORMFACTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 072853/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS Recorded Jul 12, 2016
From: FORMFACTOR, INC.; ASTRIA SEMICONDUCTOR HOLDINGS, INC.; CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.; MICRO-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039184/0280 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2012
From: SENECA MERGER SUB, INC.
To: FORMFACTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 029347/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2012
From: ELECTROGLAS, INC.
To: SENECA MERGER SUB, INC.
Reel/Frame 029339/0422 →