Chemical delivery systems and methods of delivery

• US 6,675,987 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Air Liquide Electronics US LP (Air Liquide SA)
• Original Assignee: BOC Group Pty Limited (Linde Plc)
• Inventors: Forshey, Randy, Soberunie, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomberg, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US09/968,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20020017534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 836 Days
• Field of Search: 137/403, 137/408, 222/1, 222/53, 222/56, 222/58, 222/145.1, 222/145.5, 222/145.6
• US Class Current: 222/53
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/2204 Mixing chemical components in generals in order to improve chemical treatment or reactions, independently from the specific application
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/58 Mixing semiconducting materials, e.g. during semiconductor or wafer manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/75 Discharge mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7543 using pneumatic pressure, overpressure or gas pressure in a closed receptacle or circuit system
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/881 by weighing, e.g. with automatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0238 utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on liquids in storage containers for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0272 specially adapted for transferring liquids of high purity
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0283 specially adapted for transferring liquids of high purity
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/74 Devices for mixing two or more different liquids to be transferred coin-freed apparatus G07F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 25/14 Feed and outlet means for the gases; Modifying the flow of the reactive gases

Abstract

The present invention relates to chemical delivery systems and methods for delivery of liquid chemicals. In one embodiment, the present invention relate to systems having multi-reservoir load cell assemblies for delivering chemicals used in the semiconductor industry. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a multi-reservoir load cell assembly, including a controller, a buffer reservoir, a main reservoir, one or more load cells, coupled to the assembly and to the controller, operable to weigh the liquid in the reservoir(s), a plurality of supply lines, each supply line having a valve and connecting one of the supply containers to the main reservoir, and a gas and vacuum sources for withdrawing the liquid from the assembly when demanded by the controller and for refilling the assembly from the supply containers.

Claims

1. A system for mixing a first liquid chemical with a second liquid chemical, comprising:

a main reservoir associated with a first liquid chemical valve, a second liquid chemical valve, a liquid chemical output valve, a gas input valve, a load cell generating a first signal indicating the amount of first liquid chemical in the main reservoir and generating a second signal indicating the amount of the second liquid chemical in the main reservoir, and a mixer assembly; and

a controller, coupled to the load cell, the first liquid chemical valve, the second liquid chemical valve, the liquid chemical output valve, and the gas input valve, wherein the controller actuates the first liquid chemical valve to supply the first liquid chemical to the main reservoir in accordance with the first signal, the second liquid chemical valve to supply the second liquid chemical to the main reservoir in accordance with the second signal, the gas input valve to supply pressurized gas to the main reservoir, the mixer assembly to mix the first liquid chemical and/or the second liquid chemical, and the liquid chemical output valve to deliver the liquid chemical(s) resulting from the first and second liquid chemicals mixing in the main reservoir.

2. A system for mixing a plurality of liquid chemicals, comprising:

a main reservoir with a load cell, a plurality of liquid chemical input valves, a liquid chemical output valve, a gas input valve, a mixer assembly, wherein the load cell generates signals indicating the weight of each of the plurality of liquid chemicals in the main reservoir; and

a controller, coupled to the load cell, the plurality of liquid chemical input valves, the liquid chemical output valve, the gas input valve, and the mixer assembly, wherein the controller adjusts the plurality of liquid chemical input valves to admit the plurality of liquid chemicals to the main reservoir, actuates the gas input valve to supply pressurized gas to the main reservoir, actuates the mixer assembly to mix the plurality of liquid chemicals, and adjusts the liquid chemical output valve to transfer the liquid chemical(s) derived from mixing the plurality of liquid chemicals from the main reservoir.

3. A liquid chemical delivery system, comprising:

a main reservoir with a first liquid chemical valve, a second liquid chemical valve, a liquid chemical output valve, a gas input valve, and a load cell generating a first signal indicating the amount of first liquid chemical in the main reservoir and a second signal indicating the amount of the second liquid chemical in the main reservoir; and

a controller, coupled to the first liquid chemical valve, the second liquid chemical valve, the liquid chemical output valve, the gas input valve, and the load cell, wherein the controller actuates the first liquid chemical valve to supply the first liquid chemical and the second liquid chemical valve to supply the second liquid chemical to the main reservoir in accordance with the first and second signals, respectively, the gas input valve to supply pressurized gas to the main reservoir, and actuates the liquid chemical output valve to deliver the liquid chemical(s) resulting from interacting the first and second liquid chemicals.

4. A liquid chemical delivery system, comprising:

a main reservoir with a load cell, a plurality of liquid chemical input valves, a liquid chemical output valve, a gas input valve, wherein the load cell generates signals indicating the weight of each of the plurality of liquid chemicals in the main reservoir; and

a controller, coupled to the load cell, the plurality of liquid chemical input valves, the liquid chemical output valve, the gas input valve, wherein the controller adjusts the plurality of liquid chemical input valves to admit the plurality of liquid chemicals to the main reservoir, adjusts the gas input valve to supply pressurized gas to the main reservoir, actuates the mixer assembly to mix the plurality of liquid chemicals, and adjusts the liquid chemical output valve to transfer the liquid chemical(s) derived from interaction of the plurality of liquid chemicals from the main reservoir.