METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SHUTTER DISK ASSEMBLY DETECTION
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting a shutter disk assembly in a process chamber, comprising:
- receiving first sensor detection information from a first sensor located in a shutter housing of the process chamber, the first sensor positioned to detect a shutter arm;
receiving second sensor detection information from a second sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the second sensor positioned to detect a shutter disk;
receiving third sensor detection information from a third sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the third sensor positioned to detect the shutter disk;
receiving process information from a process controller;
determining an operational status of the shutter disk assembly based, at least in part, on at least one of the first sensor detection information, the second sensor detection information, the third sensor detection information, and the process information; and
altering at least one process of the process chamber, if necessary, based on the operational status of the shutter disk assembly.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for detecting a shutter disk assembly in a process chamber using a number of sensors. A first, second, and third sensor in a shutter housing for a shutter disk assembly provide indications of a status of the shutter disk assembly. The indications are used in part to determine the operational status of the shutter disk assembly along with process information from a process controller. The operational status is then used to alter a process of the process chamber when necessary.
4 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a shutter disk assembly in a process chamber, comprising:
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receiving first sensor detection information from a first sensor located in a shutter housing of the process chamber, the first sensor positioned to detect a shutter arm; receiving second sensor detection information from a second sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the second sensor positioned to detect a shutter disk; receiving third sensor detection information from a third sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the third sensor positioned to detect the shutter disk; receiving process information from a process controller; determining an operational status of the shutter disk assembly based, at least in part, on at least one of the first sensor detection information, the second sensor detection information, the third sensor detection information, and the process information; and altering at least one process of the process chamber, if necessary, based on the operational status of the shutter disk assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of detecting a shutter disk assembly in a process chamber, comprising:
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storing the shutter disk assembly in a shutter housing appended to the process chamber; receiving first sensor detection information from a first sensor located in a shutter housing of the process chamber, the first sensor positioned to detect a shutter arm; setting a first sensor detection level based on the first sensor detection information, the first sensor detection level indicating that a shutter disk arm is correctly stored; receiving second sensor detection information from a second sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the second sensor positioned to detect a shutter disk; setting a second sensor detection level based on the second sensor detection information, the second sensor detection level indicating that a shutter disk is correctly stored; receiving a third sensor detection information from a third sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the third sensor positioned to detect the shutter disk; setting a third sensor detection level based on the third sensor detection information, the third sensor detection level indicating that the shutter disk is correctly stored; storing the first sensor detection level, the second sensor detection level, and the third sensor detection level; and retrieving the first sensor detection level, the second sensor detection level, or the third sensor detection level during a process to determine an operational status of the shutter disk assembly. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for detecting a shutter disk assembly for a process chamber, comprising;
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a shutter housing appended to the process chamber; a first sensor attached to the shutter housing such that the first sensor is capable of detecting a shutter arm when the shutter arm is in the shutter housing; a second sensor attached to the shutter housing such that the second sensor is capable of detecting a shutter disk when the shutter disk is in the shutter housing; a third sensor attached to the shutter housing such that the third sensor is capable of detecting the shutter disk when the shutter disk is in the shutter housing; and a process controller that interacts with the first sensor, second sensor, and the third sensor to detect fault conditions of the shutter disk assembly during a process by using a method of detecting the shutter disk assembly in a process chamber, comprising; receiving first sensor detection information from a first sensor located in a shutter housing of the process chamber, the first sensor positioned to detect a shutter arm; receiving second sensor detection information from a second sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the second sensor positioned to detect a shutter disk; receiving third sensor detection information from a third sensor located in the shutter housing of the process chamber, the third sensor positioned to detect the shutter disk; receiving process information from a process controller; and determining an operational status of the shutter disk assembly based, at least in part, on at least one of the first sensor detection information, the second sensor detection information, the third sensor detection information, and the process information. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification