The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 28, 1986
Filed:
Mar. 09, 1984
Thomas M Rathmann, Rohnert Park, CA (US);
Herbert G Drake, San Rafael, CA (US);
Ninko T Mirkovich, Novato, CA (US);
Roger B Lachenbruch, Petaluma, CA (US);
Tegal Corporation, Novato, CA (US);
Abstract
Wafer transport in the vacuum portion of an automated wafer processing machine is accomplished by means of an improved transport mechanism. The primary transport device is a rail guided, magnetically driven shuttle plate. Baffles serve to isolate the particle producing portions of the mechanism from the wafers. The major drive components are located inside the rails and outside the vacuum containment system. A pin lift apparatus located on the reactor chucks serves to remove and replace wafers on the shuttle plate. The disclosed apparatus provides efficient and reliable wafer transport with a minimum amount of particulate generation and is easily reconfigurable to single or multiple head machines.