Methods and apparatus for sealing a chamber
First Claim
1. A load lock chamber comprising:
- a body having;
at least one sealing surface wall including a sealing surface, the sealing surface wall having an opening adjacent the sealing surface adapted to input or output a substrate; and
a plurality of side walls;
a top member coupled to the body, wherein the top member includes one or more elongated slots that extend through an entire thickness of the top member and divide the top member into a first portion and a second portion;
one or more top sealing members adapted to cover each elongated slot in the top member, wherein each top sealing member absorbs a lateral movement of the first portion of the top member along a longitudinal dimension of the top member relative to the second portion of the top member; and
a load lock door adapted to close and seal the opening in the sealing surface wall of the body,wherein the load lock door includes a sealing member adapted to contact and seal against the sealing surface of the sealing surface wall, andwherein the first portion of the top member contacts the sealing surface wall.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In certain aspects, a load lock chamber is provided that includes a body having at least one sealing surface wall including a sealing surface. The sealing surface wall has an opening adjacent the sealing surface adapted to input or output a substrate. The body further includes a plurality of side walls. The load lock chamber also includes a top coupled to the body. The top includes one or more openings that divide the top into a first portion and a second portion. The load lock chamber further includes one or more top sealing members adapted to cover each opening of the top. Each top sealing member absorbs a movement of the first portion of the top relative to the second portion of the top. Numerous other aspects are provided.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A load lock chamber comprising:
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a body having; at least one sealing surface wall including a sealing surface, the sealing surface wall having an opening adjacent the sealing surface adapted to input or output a substrate; and a plurality of side walls; a top member coupled to the body, wherein the top member includes one or more elongated slots that extend through an entire thickness of the top member and divide the top member into a first portion and a second portion; one or more top sealing members adapted to cover each elongated slot in the top member, wherein each top sealing member absorbs a lateral movement of the first portion of the top member along a longitudinal dimension of the top member relative to the second portion of the top member; and a load lock door adapted to close and seal the opening in the sealing surface wall of the body, wherein the load lock door includes a sealing member adapted to contact and seal against the sealing surface of the sealing surface wall, and wherein the first portion of the top member contacts the sealing surface wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification