Patent · US Expired

Steam cleaning system and method for semiconductor process equipment

US7108002B1 · kind B1 · utility

0Cited by
18References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 2, 2005
Grant dateSep 19, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 2, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB08B2230/01
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for removing stubborn contaminants, aluminum fluoride and aluminum chloride in particular, from components of semiconductor-processing equipment. One embodiment forces steam through small holes in a gas distribution plate to remove build up on the interior walls of the holes. A cleaning fixture disposed between the steam source and the gas distribution plate delivers the steam at increased pressures. The gas distribution plate can be immersed in water during cleaning to capture the exiting steam.

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