Patent · US Expired

Plasma reactor chamber

US5190703A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
7References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 24, 1990
Grant dateMar 2, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 24, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/162
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention includes a plasma reactor chamber, which is generally constructed such that a large opening exists in a wall of the chamber. The reactor chamber is deployed remotely from a control console, such as on a robotic arm. A plasma generating means, such as RF electrodes is disposed within the chamber and a flexible vacuum seal is engaged to the outer edge of the chamber wall, surrounding the opening. Operating components, such as a vacuum pump, plasma gas supply and RF generator are disposed within the control console, and various supply lines join the operating components to the reactor chamber. In operation, the reactor chambler is placed against a portion of a surface that is to be treated, and a low pressure plasma is created within the chamber to treat the zone of the surface enclosed within the seal of the chamber. Particularly shaped seals for irregularly shaped surfaces and a rolling seal for movement of the reactor chamber relative to a surface are within the contemplation of the invention.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.