Patent · US Expired

Configurable vacuum system and method

US6521104B1 · kind B1 · utility

10Cited by
54References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 22, 2000
Grant dateFeb 18, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 22, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C14/505
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An exemplary configurable vacuum system and method are provided for use in coating or plating that provides the capability to handle substrates of significantly different shapes and sizes. The configurable vacuum system includes a vacuum table assembly and a vacuum chamber. The vacuum table assembly may include a support frame, an insulated surface, a mechanical drive mounted to the support frame, an electrical feed through mounted to the support frame, a filament positioned above the insulated surface between a first filament conductor and a second filament conductor, a filament power connector electrically coupled to the first filament conductor through a first filament power contact pad of the filament power connector and to the second filament conductor through a second filament power contact pad of the filament power connector, and a platform operable to support the substrate. The vacuum chamber may include a vacuum chamber having a main opening at a door, a wall that defines an interior volume, a filament power connector, an electrical feed through connector, a mechanical drive connector, a railing operable to receive and support the vacuum table assembly within the internal …

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