Semiconductor wafer clamp device and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus, comprising:
- a removable clamp finger adapted to clamp a semiconductor wafer during use;
a connecting block comprising a clamp finger opening, a clamp shaft opening, a finger connector opening, and a shaft connector opening, the clamp finger opening being sized to receive a portion of the removable clamp finger;
an adjustable finger connector sized to fit within the connector opening and adapted to couple the removable clamp finger to the connecting block during use;
a clamp conduit comprising a top end having a flange disposed thereon to attach the clamp conduit to the connecting block, thereby forming a removable engagement between the clamp conduit and the connecting block to allow the clamp conduit to be accessed through the top end during use;
a clamp shaft adapted to move longitudinally within the clamp conduit during use; and
an adjustable shaft connector adapted to couple the clamp shaft to the connecting block during use, the adjustable shaft connector being sized to fit within the shaft connector opening.
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Abstract
Semiconductor wafer clamp device includes at least one clamp apparatus, the clamp apparatus including a removable clamp finger coupled to a connecting block by a connector. The device allows access to clamp apparatus from a top surface of a substrate holder, eliminating the need to remove the substrate holder in order to perform maintenance or repair operations on clamp apparatus. Tempered springs in the clamp apparatus reduce resilience losses experienced with non-tempered springs. Plastic clamp shaft bushings and spring retainers extend the useful life of clamp apparatus components by eliminating wear caused by metal-to-metal contact of moving parts.
26 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus, comprising:
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a removable clamp finger adapted to clamp a semiconductor wafer during use;
a connecting block comprising a clamp finger opening, a clamp shaft opening, a finger connector opening, and a shaft connector opening, the clamp finger opening being sized to receive a portion of the removable clamp finger;an adjustable finger connector sized to fit within the connector opening and adapted to couple the removable clamp finger to the connecting block during use; a clamp conduit comprising a top end having a flange disposed thereon to attach the clamp conduit to the connecting block, thereby forming a removable engagement between the clamp conduit and the connecting block to allow the clamp conduit to be accessed through the top end during use; a clamp shaft adapted to move longitudinally within the clamp conduit during use; and an adjustable shaft connector adapted to couple the clamp shaft to the connecting block during use, the adjustable shaft connector being sized to fit within the shaft connector opening.
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2. A semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus, comprising:
- a removable clamp finger adapted to clamp a semiconductor wafer during use;
a connecting block comprising a clamp finger opening, a clamp shaft opening, a finger connector opening, and a shaft connector opening, the clamp finger opening being sized to receive a portion of the removable clamp finger; an adjustable finger connector adapted to couple the removable clamp finger to the connecting block during use, the adjustable finger connector being sized to fit within the finger connector opening; a clamp conduit having a connecting member at one end, the connecting member being adapted to be attached to the connecting block; a clamp shaft adapted to move longitudinally within the clamp conduit during use; and an adjustable shaft connector adapted to couple the clamp shaft to the connecting block during use, the adjustable shaft connector being sized to fit within the shaft connector opening. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
- a removable clamp finger adapted to clamp a semiconductor wafer during use;
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7. A semiconductor wafer clamp device, comprising:
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a substrate holder with a first face opposite a second face; and a semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus, comprising; a removable clamp finger adapted to clamp a semiconductor wafer during use; a connecting block comprising a clamp finger opening, a clamp shaft opening, a finger connector opening, and a shaft connector opening, the clamp finger opening being sized to receive a portion of the removable clamp finger; an adjustable finger connector adapted to couple the removable clamp finger to the connecting block during use, the adjustable finger connector being sized to fit within the finger connector opening; a clamp conduit having a connecting member at one end adapted to be attached to the connecting block; a clamp shaft adapted to move longitudinally within the clamp conduit during use; an adjustable shaft connector adapted to couple the clamp shaft to the connecting block during use, the adjustable shaft connector being sized to fit within the shaft connector opening; and a clamp shaft bushing comprising an inner opening, the clamp shaft bushing being positionable within the clamp conduit such that the clamp shaft moves within an inner opening of the clamp shaft bushing during use; and wherein the first face of the substrate holder is adapted to receive a substrate, and wherein the second face of the substrate holder is adapted to receive the semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 19)
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10. A semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus, comprising:
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a clamp member, comprising; a body; and at least two projecting members extending outwardly from the body, wherein each of the projecting members is adapted to clamp a semiconductor wafer during use; a clamp conduit having a connecting member at one end adapted to engage the body of the clamp member; a clamp shaft adapted to move longitudinally within the clamp conduit during use; and an adjustable clamp member connector adapted to couple the clamp member to the clamp shaft during use. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A semiconductor wafer clamp device, comprising:
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a substrate holder with a first face opposite a second face; and a semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus, comprising; a clamp member, comprising; a body; and at least two projecting members extending outwardly from the body, wherein each of the projecting members is adapted to clamp a semiconductor wafer during use; a clamp conduit having a connecting member at one end; a clamp shaft adapted to move longitudinally within the clamp conduit during use; an adjustable clamp member connector adapted to couple the clamp member to the clamp shaft during use; and a clamp shaft bushing comprising plastic, the clamp shaft bushing adapted to fit within the clamp conduit such that the clamp shaft moves within an inner opening of the clamp shaft bushing during use; wherein the first face of the substrate holder is adapted to receive a substrate, and wherein the second face of the substrate holder is adapted to receive the semiconductor wafer clamp apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification