Patent ID: 8113236
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: B24B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a material to a semiconductor tool comprising: providing a first source of a material fluidly connected via an inlet and an outlet to a first recirculating material supply line, said first recirculating material supply line fluidly connected to a tool; passing material from the first source of the material through the first recirculating material supply line so that a first portion of the material is delivered to the tool and the remaining portion of the material is returned to the first source; providing a second source of the material fluidly connected to a recirculation line and passing material from the second source of the material through the recirculation line and back to the second source, said second source of the material also fluidly connected via an inlet and an outlet to a second recirculating material supply line, and said second recirculating material supply line fluidly connected to the tool; and changing the source of the material supplied to the tool by interrupting the flow from the second source through the recirculation line and passing the material from the second source through the second recirculating material supply line so that a first portion of the material is delivered to the tool and the remaining portion of the material is returned to the second source; interrupting the flow through the portion of the first recirculating material supply line returning the material to the first source and passing any remaining portion of material through the first recirculating material supply line to the second source; and once a desired portion of the material has been emptied from the first source, interrupting the flow from the first source through the portion of the first recirculating material supply line connected to the tool so that all of the material delivered to the tool is from the second source.