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:
Jan. 26, 1988
Filed:
Jun. 30, 1986
Robert E Aldridge, Anaheim, CA (US);
Russell Elloway, Riverside, CA (US);
William O Fritz, Anaheim, CA (US);
Ralph D Goff, Placentia, CA (US);
Michael J Herrera, Placentia, CA (US);
Thermco Systems, Inc., Orange, CA (US);
Abstract
A soft landing cantilever boat loader for loading semiconductor wafer carrying boats into a furnace process tube includes a loading station having one or more loading assemblies, an automatically controlled door associated with each loading assembly for selectively closing an end of the process tube and a microcomputer based control system for controlling and coordinating process operations. The loading assemblies are of a low profile configuration and each include a boat supporting, cantilevered paddle that is mounted by a quick release mechanism on a carriage which is driven along ways by a motor. A motor speed control circuit provides closed loop motor speed using a pulse width modulated motor drive. A door operating mechanism provides movement of the door along two transverse axes to assure tight sealing of the door against the tube. The control system employs a self-teaching technique that permits rapid reprogramming of the carriage travel limits which may be required when the paddle is replaced by a paddle of a different type or length.