IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,502,693
Granted Patent B2
US 12,502,693 · App. 18/471,190 · Granted Dec 23, 2025

Backflush seal cleaning apparatus

Inventors: Benjamin Clay Bradley (Whitefish, MT); Ryan Michael Thompson (Kila, MT)
Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
B08B1/10B08B3/08B08B9/021C25D17/004
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,502,693
App. No.
18/471,190
Granted
Dec 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Exemplary seal cleaning apparatuses may include at least one support that is configured to receive a seal. The apparatuses may include a tool arm that is positionable within an interior of the seal. The apparatuses may include a pad holder that is rotatably coupled with the tool arm. The pad holder may include a body having a first end and a second end. The first end may define a channel that is configured to receive a cleaning pad. The body may define an aperture that extends from the second end through the channel. The pad holder may include a fluid fitting coupled with the aperture at the second end of the body. The apparatuses may include a cleaning fluid source that is fluidly coupled with the fluid fitting.

Claims (24)

1 . A pad holder, comprising:

a body comprising a first end and a second end, wherein:

the first end defines a channel that is configured to receive a cleaning pad;

the body defines a fluid lumen having an inlet and an outlet; and

the outlet extends through the channel; and

a fluid fitting coupled with the inlet of the fluid lumen.

2 . The pad holder of claim 1 , wherein:

the inlet of the fluid lumen extends through the second end of the body.

3 . The pad holder of claim 1 , wherein:

the first end of the body comprises a first prong and a second prong that are spaced apart by the channel.

4 . The pad holder of claim 3 , wherein:

the channel extends across an entire width of the first end of the body.

5 . The pad holder of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mounting flange extending radially outward from the body.

6 . The pad holder of claim 5 , wherein:

the mounting flange defines a plurality of fastener apertures.

7 . The pad holder of claim 6 , wherein:

the mounting flange is disposed at the second end of the body.

8 . The pad holder of claim 1 , wherein:

a diameter of the fluid lumen is at least 2 mm.

9 . The pad holder of claim 1 , wherein:

the channel is generally U-shaped with at least one of rounded corners or angled corners.

10 . The pad holder of claim 1 , wherein:

a width of the channel is greater than a thickness of an inner edge of a seal to be inserted therein.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2024
From: BRADLEY, BENJAMIN CLAY; THOMPSON, RYAN MICHAEL
To: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067377/0183 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250091094A1 · Mar 20, 2025
References Cited (6)
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