Systems for Removing and Replacing Consumable Parts from a Semiconductor Process Module in Situ
First Claim
1. A cluster tool assembly, comprising:
- a vacuum transfer module;
a process module having a first side connected to the vacuum transfer module;
an isolation valve having a first side coupled to a second side of the process module; and
a replacement station coupled to a second side of the isolation valve, the replacement station including an exchange handler and a part buffer, the part buffer includes a plurality of compartments for holding new or used consumable parts;
the process module having a lift mechanism to enable placement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position, the raised position providing access to the exchange handler to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and storage to a compartment of the part buffer,the exchange handler of the replacement station enabled to install a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer back to the process module;
wherein the lift mechanism is configured to receive the consumable part provided for replacement by the exchange handler and lower the consumable part to an installed position;
wherein the replacement by the exchange handler and the process module is conducted while the process module and the replacement station are maintained in a vacuum state.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cluster tool assembly includes a vacuum transfer module, a process module having a first side connected to the vacuum transfer module. An isolation valve having a first side and a second side, the first side of the isolation valve coupled to a second side of the process module. A replacement station is coupled to the second side of the isolation valve. The replacement station includes an exchange handler and a part buffer. The part buffer includes a plurality of compartments to hold new or used consumable parts. The process module includes a lift mechanism to enable placement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position. The raised position provides access to the exchange handler to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and store in a compartment of the part buffer. The exchange handler of the replacement station is configured to provide a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer back to the process module. The lift mechanism is configured to receive the consumable part provided for replacement by the exchange handler and lower the consumable part to an installed position. The replacement by the exchange handler and the process module is conducted while the process module and the replacement station are maintained in a vacuum state.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A cluster tool assembly, comprising:
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a vacuum transfer module; a process module having a first side connected to the vacuum transfer module; an isolation valve having a first side coupled to a second side of the process module; and a replacement station coupled to a second side of the isolation valve, the replacement station including an exchange handler and a part buffer, the part buffer includes a plurality of compartments for holding new or used consumable parts; the process module having a lift mechanism to enable placement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position, the raised position providing access to the exchange handler to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and storage to a compartment of the part buffer, the exchange handler of the replacement station enabled to install a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer back to the process module; wherein the lift mechanism is configured to receive the consumable part provided for replacement by the exchange handler and lower the consumable part to an installed position; wherein the replacement by the exchange handler and the process module is conducted while the process module and the replacement station are maintained in a vacuum state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A cluster tool assembly, comprising:
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a vacuum transfer module having a first side and a second side, the vacuum transfer module including a robot; a first isolation valve with a first side and a second side, the first side of the first isolation valve coupled to the first side of the vacuum transfer module; a replacement station coupled to the second side of the first isolation valve, the replacement station having a part buffer, the part buffer includes a plurality of compartments for holding new or used consumable parts; a second isolation valve with a first side and a second side, the second side of the second isolation valve coupled to the second side of the vacuum transfer module; and a process module coupled to the first side of the second isolation valve; the process module having a lift mechanism to enable movement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position, the raised position providing access to the robot of the vacuum transfer module to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and store in the part buffer of the replacement station, the robot of the vacuum transfer module enabled to install a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer into the process module, wherein the lift mechanism is configured to receive the consumable part provided for replacement by the robot and lower the consumable part to an installed position, wherein the replacement by the robot and the lift mechanism of the process module is conducted while the replacement station, the vacuum transfer module and the process module are maintained in a vacuum state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A cluster tool assembly, comprising:
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an atmospheric transfer module having a first side and a second side, the atmospheric transfer module having a robot; a vacuum transfer module having a first side and a second side, the vacuum transfer module including a second robot; a loadlock chamber coupled to the first side of the atmospheric transfer module and a first side of the vacuum transfer module, the loadlock chamber providing an interface between the atmospheric transfer module and the vacuum transfer module; a process module coupled to the second side of the vacuum transfer module; and a replacement station coupled to the second side of the atmospheric transfer module, the replacement station having a part buffer, the part buffer includes a plurality of compartments for holding new or used consumable parts; the process module having a lift mechanism to enable movement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position, the raised position providing access to the second robot of the vacuum transfer module to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and transfer to the loadlock chamber, the robot of the atmospheric transfer module enabled to move the consumable part from the loadlock chamber to the part buffer of the replacement station, the robot of the atmospheric transfer module and the second robot of the vacuum transfer module enabled to move a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer into the process module, wherein the lift mechanism is configured to receive the consumable part provided for replacement by the second robot and lower the consumable part to an installed position, wherein the replacement by the second robot and the lift mechanism of the process module is conducted while the vacuum transfer module and the process module are maintained in a vacuum state. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification