Patent ID: 9312108
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: C23C,H01J

Claim Text:
1. A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode, the magnetron assembly comprising: an elongated support structure; at least one cooling pipe that extends along the support structure; a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure; a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure, the drive modules each including a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure; a controller and battery module coupled to the support structure and in operative communication with the drive modules, the controller and battery module including an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery, the at least one rechargeable battery configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller; and one or more power generation modules coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the at least one rechargeable battery such that electrical energy output from the one or more power generation modules recharges the battery; wherein the one or more power generation modules are in fluid communication with the cooling pipe, and mechanical energy for driving the one or more power generation modules is harnessed from water that flows through the cooling pipe; wherein as the rotary target cathode erodes during a sputtering operation, the motorized actuation mechanisms adjust the position of the magnet bar structure with respect to an inner surface of the rotary target cathode in response to control signals from the electronic controller.