Patent ID: 7798758
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor workpiece processing system comprising: at least one processing tool for processing semiconductor workpieces; a primary transport system having one or more constant velocity transport loops arranged for independently motive vehicles to transport semiconductor workpieces along the primary transport system at a constant speed; a secondary transport system having one or more constant speed transport loops arranged for the vehicles to transport semiconductor workpieces along the secondary transport system at a constant speed, the secondary transport system being connected to the primary transport system through queue sections wherein, the queue sections are configured to allow the movement of semiconductor workpieces between the primary transport system and secondary transport system without disrupting the flow of either the primary or secondary transport systems wherein the primary transport system, secondary transport system and queue sections are configured so that a vehicle is capable of crossing between the primary and secondary transport systems via the queue sections substantially without affecting the speed of any other vehicle moving along the constant speed transport loops of either the primary or secondary transport systems; a control unit coupled to the primary and secondary transport systems, the control unit being configured to effect movement of the vehicles along the primary and secondary transport systems; and one or more interfaces connected to the one or more transport loops of the secondary transport system through interface shunts for interfacing with the at least one processing tool, wherein the interface shunts are configured to allow the movement of semiconductor workpieces between the one or more transport loops of the secondary transport system and the one or more interfaces without disrupting a flow of the secondary transport system; wherein the flow of semiconductor workpieces along the one or more constant speed transport loops of the primary and secondary transport systems is continuous.