Patent ID: 6454926
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: C25D,Y10S

Abstract:
An electrochemical processing apparatus, comprising:a processing container adapted to hold an amount of an electrochemical processing fluid; at least one electrode disposed in the processing container in electrical contact with the electrochemical processing fluid; a workpiece support adapted to support a workpiece and positioned so that at least one surface of the workpiece is in electrical contact with the electrochemical processing fluid; at least one workpiece electrode forming an electrically conductive path for conducting processing power to a surface of a workpiece disposed on the workpiece support, said at least one workpiece electrode comprising a submersible portion which is shaped and arranged to be submerged within the electrochemical processing fluid during an electrochemical process, the at least one workpiece electrode also including a contact portion adapted to engage a surface of the workpiece to conduct processing power thereto, the contact portion approximately defining a boundary limit; the at least one workpiece electrode further comprising one or more non-thieving sections having a non-conductive material at the external surface thereof, and one or more thieving sections distal said contact portion, the one or more thieving sections including one or more conductive surfaces that extend beyond the boundary limit in the direction of the electrode disposed in the processing container.