Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for enhanced gas flow rate control

US9004107B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
14References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 21, 2012
Grant dateApr 14, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 25, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/87885
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling gas flow to a semiconductor-processing chamber. The invention includes deactivating ratio setpoint feedback control in a flow ratio controller; initiating gas flow through the flow ratio controller; moving valves of the flow ratio controller to a preset position based on a stored position when an upstream pressure reaches a stored upstream pressure value, wherein the stored position and the stored upstream pressure value were stored during a prior process run; determining that steady state flow ratio controller output flows have been reached; and activating ratio setpoint feedback control in the flow ratio controller. Numerous additional features are disclosed.

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