Patent · US Expired

Transfer module and cluster system for semiconductor manufacturing process

US6634845B1 · kind B1 · utility

29Cited by
14References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 16, 2000
Grant dateOct 21, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 9, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G2249/02
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A number of process chambers connected to a transfer module can be increased after a cluster system provided with the transfer module is initially established. The transfer module transfers an object to be processed between a transfer chamber and at least one process chamber connected to the transfer chamber. A housing of the transfer module defines the transfer chamber, the housing having a substantially rectangular cross section so that a plurality of the housings are connectable to each other. A movable part is provided in the transfer chamber, the movable part being movable along a base surface provided in the housing of the transfer module. A transfer part is provided on the movable part, the transfer part holding the object to be processed and being movable between the transfer chamber and the process chamber. A drive mechanism drives the movable part, and a control unit controls motion of the movable part.

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