Wafer carrier transport system for tool bays
US6663340B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/135
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processing tool bay within a semiconductor fabrication site, including a plurality of semiconductor processing tools for processing wafers being arranged in two opposite rows. An intrabay transport system for transporting wafer carriers around the process tool bay at least in a vertical plane in front of one of said two rows of semiconductor process tools comprises at least one vehicle for receiving and delivering a wafer carrier to and from any one semiconductor process tool of said plurality of semiconductor process tools, and a vehicle guiding mechanism. The vehicle comprises a circular compartment structure including a plurality of compartments for buffering said wafer carrier between receiving it at a first location and delivering it at a second location. Each compartment is arranged for accommodating one wafer carrier. The compartment structure is rotatable around a symmetry axis of itself for an alignment. The distance between the two opposite rows of processing tools is determined so as to enable a displacement of at least one vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.