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US5219007A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for reducing particulate generation caused by door or cover flexing on high vacuum equipment

Assignee: Applied Materials Inc
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Filing: 1991-12-06
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Granted: 1993-06-15
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Expires: 2011-12-06
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Abstract

Abstract An inner lid is attached to a vacuum chamber, covering an inner region of the vacuum chamber. An outer lid, also attached to the vacuum chamber, covers the inner lid, leaving a region between the inner lid and the outer lid. A gas conduit allows gas to flow between the inner region of the vacuum chamber and the region between the inner lid and the outer lid. A filter is placed in or immediately outside the gas conduit to prevent particles from entering the inner region of the vacuum chamber from the region between the inner lid and the outer lid. Since the pressure is the same on the top and bottom of the inner lid, the inner lid does not flex and thus does not rub against the vacuum chamber when the vacuum chamber is pumped down or vented up.

Inventors

  • 👤 Peter Ebbing

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 03:26
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J3/00; B01J3/002; B01J3/03

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 70 words
In a vacuum chamber having an opening and a seal for said opening, the improvement wherein said seal comprises: (a) a first non-perforated cover fastened to said chamber and covering said opening; (b) a second cover fastened to said chamber and covering said first cover leaving a space between said first and second covers; and (c) a conduit between said chamber and said space between said first and second covers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 70 words
In a vacuum chamber having an opening and a seal for said opening, the improvement wherein said seal comprises: (a) a first non-perforated cover fastened to said chamber and covering said opening; (b) a second cover fastened to said chamber and covering said first cover leaving a space between said first and second covers; and (c) a conduit between said chamber and said space between said first and second covers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A vacuum chamber according to claim 1 wherein a filter is mounted between said space between said first and second covers and said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
A vacuum chamber according to claim 2 wherein said filter is mounted in the space between said first and second covers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
A vacuum chamber according to claim 2 wherein said filter is mounted in said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
A vacuum chamber according to claim 1 wherein an inert gas source is coupled to said vacuum chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
A vacuum chamber according to claim 5 wherein an inert gas source is coupled to said vacuum chamber and to said space between said first and second covers.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2387978A Cited
US4315579A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-06-14 1996-12-14 1997-06-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-06-14 2000-12-14 2001-06-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-06-14 2004-12-14 2005-06-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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