Method of operating a pumping system

A pumping system for evacuating an enclosure comprises a pumping mechanism (30), a motor (32) for driving the pumping mechanism, and a controller (36) for controlling the motor. The controller sets a maximum value for a rotational frequency of the motor and a maximum value for a current in the motor, and, to optimize the performance of the pumping system, independently adjusts the maximum values during evacuation of the enclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of operating a pumping system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vacuum processing is commonly used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices and flat panel displays to deposit thin films on to substrates, and in metallurgical processes. Pumping systems used to evacuate relatively large process chambers, such as load lock chambers, to the desired pressure generally comprise at least one booster pump connected in series with at least one backing pump.

Booster pumps typically have oil-free pumping mechanisms, as any lubricants present in the pumping mechanism could cause contamination of the clean environment in which the vacuum processing is performed. Such “dry” vacuum pumps are commonly single or multi-stage positive displacement pumps employing inter-meshing rotors in the pumping mechanism. The rotors may have the same type of profile in each stage or the profile may change from stage to stage. The backing pumps may have either a similar pumping mechanism to the booster pumps, or a different pumping mechanism.

An asynchronous AC motor typically drives the pumping mechanism of a booster pump. Such motors must have a rating such that the pump is able to supply adequate compression of the pumped gas between the pump inlet and outlet, and such that the pumping speed resulting is sufficient for the duty required.

A proportion of the power supplied to the motor of the booster pump produces heat of compression in the exhaust gas, particularly at intermediate and high inlet pressure levels, such that the pump body and rotors can heat up. If the amount of compression and differential pressure generated is not adequately controlled, there may be a risk of overheating the booster pump, ultimately resulting in lubrication failure, excessive thermal expansion and seizure. The standard motor for the size and pumping speed of the booster pump is thus usually selected such that it should be able to supply adequate compression in normal use at low inlet pressures but a risk of overheating remains if the pump is operated at intermediate and high inlet pressure levels without a means of protection.

In the conventional pumping system described above, frequent and repeated operation at high to intermediate inlet pressures may be required. For example, a load lock chamber is repeatedly evacuated from atmospheric pressure to a low pressure to enable a substrate located within the chamber to be transferred to a process chamber, and subsequently exposed to atmospheric pressure to enable the processed substrate to be removed and replaced by a fresh substrate. The amount of gas compression produced by the booster pump, and the differential pressure generated between its inlet and outlet, may be limited by various means to control the amount of heat generated and to limit the risk of overheating. If the gas compression produced by the booster pump is limited too severely, the resulting evacuation time of the large vacuum chamber may be undesirably slow. If the gas compression produced by the booster pump is not limited enough, whilst the resulting evacuation time of the vacuum chamber may be rapid the mechanical booster pump may overheat.

For driving the motor of a booster pump, a variable frequency drive unit may be provided between the motor and a power source for the motor. Such drive units operate by converting the AC power supplied by the power source into a DC power, and then converting the DC power into an AC power of desired amplitude and frequency. The power supplied to the motor is controlled by controlling the current supplied to the motor, which in turn is controlled by adjusting the frequency and/or amplitude of the voltage in the motor. The current supplied to the motor determines the amount of torque produced in the motor, and thus determines the torque available to rotate the pumping mechanism. The frequency of the power determines the speed of rotation of the pumping mechanism. By varying the frequency of the power, the booster pump can maintain a constant system pressure even under conditions where the gas load may vary substantially.

In order to prevent overloading of the booster pump, the drive unit sets a maximum value for the frequency of the power (fmax), and a maximum value for the current supplied to the motor (Imax). This current limit will conventionally be appropriate to the continuous rating of the motor, and will limit the effective torque produced by the pumping mechanism and hence the amount of differential pressure resulting, thereby limiting the amount of exhaust gas heat generated.

At the start of a rapid evacuation cycle, it is desirable to rotate the pumping mechanism as rapidly as possible to maximise the evacuation rate. Due to the high pressure, and thus relatively high density, of the gas at the start of the cycle, a large torque is required to rotate the pumping mechanism at a frequency around fmax, and so there is a high current demand, which is generally greater than Imax. To protect the motor from damage, the frequency of the power supplied to the motor of the booster pump is rapidly reduced to some level below fmax, resulting in a sharp reduction in the rotational speed of the pump while limiting the differential pressure produced. As the evacuation progresses and the inlet pressure decreases, the drive unit will ramp up the frequency towards fmaxover a finite period to gradually increase the rotational speed of the booster pump. While this protects the booster pump from overheating at all inlet pressures, this period when the rotational speed is reduced may represent an undesirable extension of the time required to evacuate the chamber from atmospheric pressure to the desired low pressure (the “pump down” time).

It is an aim of at least the preferred embodiment of the present invention to seek to solve these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a pumping system comprising a pumping mechanism; a motor for driving the pumping mechanism; and a controller for controlling the motor, wherein the controller sets a maximum value for a rotational frequency of the motor (fmax) and a maximum value for a current in the motor (Imax), and, to optimise the performance of the pumping system, adjusts said maximum values during operation of the pumping system.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a pumping system comprising a pumping mechanism and a motor for driving the pumping mechanism, the method comprising the steps of setting a maximum value for a rotational frequency of the motor and a maximum value for a current in the motor, and, during operation of the pumping system, adjusting said maximum values to optimise the performance of the pumping system.

Features described above in relation to system aspects of the invention are equally applicable to method aspects of the invention, and vice versa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a pumping system comprising a pumping mechanism; a motor for driving the pumping mechanism; and a controller for controlling the motor, wherein the controller sets a maximum value for a rotational frequency of the motor (fmax) and a maximum value for a current in the motor (Imax), and, to optimise the performance of the pumping system, adjusts said maximum values during operation of the pumping system.

The system preferably comprises an inverter for supplying a variable frequency power to the motor, the controller adjusting the amplitude and frequency of the power during operation of the pumping system.

The controller is preferably configured to receive input from at least one sensor for monitoring one or more states within the system, and to adjust at least one of the maximum values in dependence on the monitored states. For example, at least one sensor may be configured to supply a signal indicative of a gas pressure within the pumping system, the controller adjusting at least one of the maximum values in dependence on the received signal(s). In another example, at least one sensor may be configured to supply a signal indicative of a temperature of the pumping system, the controller adjusting at least one of the maximum values in dependence on the received signal(s). In yet another example, no external sensors are utilised and instead the controller adjusts at least one of the maximum values in dependence on time only, according to established system configuration and parameters.

In the preferred embodiment, both of these maximum values are varied as the gas pressure decreases during evacuation of the enclosure from atmospheric pressure. The controller is configured to increase the maximum value for the current in the motor (Imax) during operation of the pumping system at a relatively high pressure, and to increase the maximum value for the rotational frequency of the motor (fmax) during operation of the pumping system at a relatively low pressure.

In a first, relatively high pressure region, that is, where the pressure at the inlet to the pumping mechanism decreases from atmospheric pressure, Imaxmay be increased to such a value that, during use in this high pressure region, Imaxis greater than the nominal specification for the motor, and sufficient to allow increased differential pressure to be developed such that the booster inlet pressure attains a lower level, with its outlet venting straight to atmosphere, than would otherwise be possible with the nominal Imax.

If operated for the entire evacuation cycle with this elevated value of Imaxthere is a risk that the motor may overheat. In view of this, once the pressure falls below a first predetermined value, for example, between 100 mbar and 500 mbar, the value of Imaxis decreased to allow optimum pumping performance while keeping the generated pressure differential within safe limits to prevent overheating of the pumping mechanism.

When the gas pressure reaches a second predetermined value lower than the first predetermined value, for example, between 1 mbar and 100 mbar, more preferably between 10 mbar and 100 mbar, the density of gas pumped from the enclosure will be inadequate to cause risk of overheating of the pumping mechanism, and so fmaxcan be increased to improve pump performance.

As an alternative to varying the maximum values in dependence on the pressure of gas supplied to the pumping mechanism, at least one of the maximum values may by adjusted in dependence on the pressure of gas exhaust from the pumping mechanism. As further alternatives, these values may be adjusted in dependence on the body temperature of the pumping mechanism and/or on the temperature of the gas entering the pumping mechanism at its inlet port and/or on the temperature of the gas exhausting from the mechanism at its outlet port.

The pumping mechanism is preferably a pumping mechanism of a booster pump for pumping gas from the enclosure. The pumping system may also comprise a primary, or backing, pump having an inlet connected to the exhaust of the booster pump. If allowed to freely vent gas exhaust direct to atmosphere using a separate vent line which does not route through the primary pump, and with no restriction to its rotational speed, the booster pump alone at high inlet pressures can provide a higher net pumping speed than would be achievable being connected through the primary pump, from atmospheric pressure down to an inlet pressure determined by the available motor power. This can assist in achieving a more rapid evacuation of the enclosure than would otherwise result. If this vent line is terminated with a pressure relief valve, it will be open to atmosphere and freely venting whenever the pressure of gas exhaust from the booster pump is above atmospheric pressure, allowing the booster pump to operate at maximum nominal speed. Therefore, the system preferably comprises a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with an exhaust from the booster pumping mechanism for selectively releasing gas compressed by the booster pumping mechanism to the atmosphere. The pressure relief valve is preferably configured to automatically close when the pressure of gas exhaust from the booster pump falls below atmospheric pressure, at which point the primary pump becomes effective in reducing the booster pump outlet pressure further and enhancing the net pumping speed.

The closing of the pressure relief valve can provide a convenient indication of the pressure within the pumping system, and so at least one sensor may be configured to detect the position of the pressure relief valve, and the controller configured to decrease the maximum value of the current in the motor when the pressure relief valve moves from an open position to a closed position.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a pumping system comprising a pumping mechanism and a motor for driving the pumping mechanism, the method comprising the steps of setting a maximum value for a rotational frequency of the motor and a maximum value for a current in the motor, and, during operation of the pumping system, adjusting said maximum values to optimise the performance of the pumping system.

Referring toFIG. 1, a vacuum pumping system is illustrated for evacuating an enclosure10, such as a load lock chamber or other relatively large chamber. The system comprises a booster pump12connected in series with a backing pump14. The booster pump12has an inlet16connected by an evacuation passage18, preferably in the form of a conduit18, to an outlet20of the enclosure10. An exhaust22of the booster pump12is connected by a conduit24to an inlet26of the backing pump14. The backing pump14has an exhaust28that exhausts the gas drawn from the enclosure10to the atmosphere.

Although the pumping system illustrated inFIG. 1includes a single booster pump and a single backing pump, any number of booster pumps may be provided depending on the pumping requirements of the enclosure. Where a plurality of booster pumps are provided, these are connected in parallel so that each booster pump can be exposed to the same operating conditions. Where a relatively high number of booster pumps are provided, two or more backing pumps may be provided in parallel. Furthermore, an additional row or rows of booster pumps similarly connected in parallel may be provided as required between the first row of booster pumps and the backing pumps.

With reference also toFIG. 2, the booster pump12comprises a pumping mechanism30driven by a variable speed motor32. Booster pumps typically include an essentially dry (or oil free) pumping mechanism30, but generally also include some components, such as bearings and transmission gears, for driving the pumping mechanism30that require lubrication in order to be effective. Examples of dry pumps include Roots, Northey (or “claw”) and screw pumps. Dry pumps incorporating Roots and/or Northey mechanisms are commonly multi-stage positive displacement pumps employing intermeshing rotors in each pumping chamber. The rotors are located on contra-rotating shafts, and may have the same type of profile in each chamber or the profile may change from chamber to chamber.

The backing pump14may have either a similar pumping mechanism to the booster pump12, or a different pumping mechanism. For example, the backing pump14may be a rotary vane pump, a rotary piston pump, a Northey, or “claw”, pump, or a screw pump. A backing pump motor34drives the pumping mechanism of the backing pump14.

The motor32of the booster pump12may be any suitable motor for driving the pumping mechanism30of the booster pump12. In the preferred embodiment, the motor32comprises an asynchronous AC motor. A control system for driving the motor32comprises a variable frequency drive unit36for receiving an AC power supplied by a power source38and converting the received AC power into a power supply for the motor32.

FIG. 3illustrates the drive unit36in more detail. The drive unit36comprises an inverter40and an inverter controller42. As is known, the inverter40comprises a rectifier circuit for converting the AC power from the power source38to a pulsating DC power, an intermediate DC circuit for filtering the pulsating DC power to a DC power, and an inverter circuit for converting the DC power into an AC power for driving the motor32.

The inverter controller42controls the operation of the inverter40so that the power has a desired amplitude and frequency. The inverter controller42adjusts the amplitude and frequency of the power in dependence on an operational state of the pumping system. In the example shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the inverter controller42controls the power in dependence on a gas pressure within the pumping system. As illustrated, the inverter controller42receives a first signal indicative of the pressure at the inlet16of the booster pump12from a first pressure sensor44for detecting the pressure within the conduit18. Alternatively, or in addition, the inverter controller42may receive a second signal indicative of the pressure at the exhaust22of the booster pump12from a second pressure sensor46for detecting the pressure within the conduit24. The inverter controller42then varies the power in dependence on one, or both, of the first and second signals. When the frequency of the power output from the inverter40varies, the speed of rotation of the motor32varies in accordance with the change in frequency. The drive unit36is thus able to vary the speed of the booster pump12during the evacuation of the enclosure10to optimise the performance of the booster pump12.

The inverter controller42sets values for two or more operational limits of the drive unit36; in particular, the maximum frequency of the power supplied to the motor32(fmax), and the maximum current that can be supplied to the motor32(Imax). As mentioned above, the value of Imaxis normally set so that it is appropriate to the continuous rating of the motor32, that is, the power at which the motor can be operated indefinitely without reaching an overload condition. Setting a maximum to the power supplied to the motor has the effect of limiting the effective torque available to the pumping mechanism30. This in turn will limit the resulting differential pressure across the booster pump12, and thus limit the amount of heat generated within the booster pump12.

The inverter controller42also monitors the current supplied to the motor32. The current supplied to the motor32is dependent upon the values of the frequency and amplitude of the AC power supplied to the motor32by the drive unit36. In the event that the current supplied to the motor32exceeds Imax, the inverter controller42controls the inverter40to rapidly reduce the frequency and amplitude of the power supplied to the motor32, thereby reducing both the current below Imaxand the speed of the booster pump12.

Returning toFIG. 1, a branch conduit48is connected to the conduit24extending between the exhaust22of the booster pump12and the inlet26of the backing pump14. The branch conduit48terminates in an overpressure relief valve50. When the pressure in the conduit reaches a predetermined pressure, which, in this example is around, or slightly above, atmospheric pressure, the relief valve50opens to release compressed gas within the conduit24to the atmosphere. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a sensor52may be provided for outputting a signal indicative of the position of the relief valve50, which signal is also supplied to the inverter controller42. The inverter controller42thus may receive signals from the sensors44,46indicative of the pressure at the inlet16and at the outlet22of the booster pump12respectively, and a signal from the sensor52indicative of the position of the pressure relief valve50.

A method of operating the pumping system illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3to evacuate the enclosure10from atmosphere to a desired pressure will now be described.

At high inlet pressures during the initial stage of the evacuation of the enclosure10, the pressure of the gas exhaust from the booster pump12will, due to the compression of the gas by the pumping mechanism30of the booster pump12, be above atmospheric pressure, and so the pressure relief valve50opens to allow gas exhaust from the booster pump12to be vented directly to the atmosphere in order to improve the net pumping speed of the pumping system.

As mentioned above, the inverter controller42pre-sets values for Imaxand fmaxthat are appropriate to the continuous rating of the motor32, that is, the power at which the motor can be operated indefinitely without reaching an overload condition. During this initial stage of operation of the pumping system, due to the relatively high pressure of the gas passing through the booster pump12, a high current is required to provide sufficient torque to the motor32to rotate the pumping mechanism30at a frequency approaching fmaxand to produce substantial differential pressure across the mechanism in order to pump down to a satisfactory intermediate pressure. The optimum current for this may be generally greater than the usual value of Imax. In order to maximise the pumping capability of the booster pump12during this initial stage of the evacuation of the enclosure10, the value for Imaxis temporarily increased to a value that allows the full capacity of the booster pump12to be utilised, that is, to a value higher than the normal rating of the motor. The booster pump is thus temporarily “overloaded” in order to prolong the increased rate of evacuation of the enclosure during this initial, high pressure stage of the evacuation of the enclosure10, as indicated at “H” inFIG. 4, which illustrates at53the variation of net pumping speed, or evacuation rate, of the enclosure10with inlet pressure during operation of the pumping system in comparison to a similar variation, illustrated at55, for the pumping system where fmaxand Imaxare not varied during operation. Alternatively, a motor substantially larger than that normally fitted to the booster pump and having a higher current rating may be utilised so that the temporarily increased value of Imaxdoes not, in fact, represent any motor overload condition.

To prevent overheating of the booster pump12due to prolonged operation with the elevated value of Imax, the value of Imaxis subsequently returned to the pre-set value:after a first predetermined time period has elapsed; orwhen a gas pressure in the pumping system has reached a first predetermined value.

This first predetermined value may be detected from a signal received from any of the sensors44,46,52. For example, as indicated at54inFIG. 4, this overloading of the booster pump12may be terminated when the gas pressure at the inlet16of the booster pump12, as indicated by the signal output from the sensor44, falls below a first predetermined value, which in the illustrated example is around 200 mbar. As an alternative, the overloading of the booster pump12may be terminated when the gas pressure at the exhaust22of the booster pump12, as indicated by the signal output from the sensor46, falls below a first predetermined value, which in the illustrated example is around atmospheric pressure. This may be conveniently detected by the closure of the pressure relief valve50, as input to the inverter controller42by the sensor52. Any one of the signals output from these three sensors44,46,52may therefore be used as a trigger to reduce the value of Imax. The consequence of Imaxreduction at this point will typically be a reduction in the booster motor rotational speed.

Reduction of the value of Imaxto the preset value during the second, intermediate pressure stage of the evacuation of the enclosure10(as indicated at “I” inFIG. 4), enables optimum booster pump performance during this intermediate pressure stage while maintaining the pressure differential generated by the booster pump12within a limit that prevents overheating of the booster pump12. As the closure of the pressure relief valve50has placed the primary pump14in fluid communication with the booster pump12, the primary pump14now becomes effective in enhancing the net pumping speed of the pumping system, which, as illustrated inFIG. 4, steadily increases as the pressure at the inlet16of the booster pump12continues to fall.

As the evacuation progresses and the pressure at the inlet16of the booster pump12decreases, the inverter controller42gradually increases the frequency of the power supplied to the motor32to maintain the current around Imaxto maximise the pumping speed. As the pressure of the gas entering the booster pump12decreases, the density of this gas also decreases, and so the risk of overheating of the booster pump12decreases as the inlet pressure decreases. In view of this, in order to maximise the performance of the booster pump12during the further evacuation of the enclosure10, the inverter controller42increases the value of fmaxfor a third, low pressure stage of the evacuation of the enclosure10(as indicated at “L” inFIG. 4). The increase of the value of fmaxmay be triggered by:the expiry of a second, predetermined time period; orwhen a gas pressure in the pumping system has reached a second predetermined value lower than the first predetermined value.

This second predetermined value may be detected from a signal received from any of the sensors44,46. For example, as indicated at56inFIG. 4, the value of fmaxmay be increased when the gas pressure at the inlet16of the booster pump12, as indicated by the signal output from the sensor44, falls below a second predetermined value, which in the illustrated example is around 30 mbar. As an alternative, fmaxmay be increased when the gas pressure at the exhaust22of the booster pump12, as indicated by the signal output from the sensor46, falls below a second predetermined value. Clearly, where the first and second predetermined values are determined from the input from sensor44only, the sensors46,52need not be provided. Alternatively, the relationship(s) between two, or more, pressure signals may be used to derive a suitable control signal.

The pumping system is thus able to combine the benefits of the booster pump12exhausting to atmosphere at high inlet pressures with increased pumping speed, while retaining control over operating temperatures at intermediate inlet pressures, and further providing enhanced pumping speed at low pressures.

An alternative technique for controlling the drive unit36is illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6. This technique is similar to that described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, with the exception that in the example shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the inverter controller42controls the power in dependence on one or more temperatures within the pumping system. As illustrated, the inverter controller42receives a first signal indicative of the temperature of the pumping mechanism from a first temperature sensor60. Alternatively, or in addition, the inverter controller42may receive a second signal indicative of the temperature of gas exhaust from the booster pump12from a second temperature sensor62for detecting the temperature of gas within the conduit24. Alternatively, or in addition, the inverter controller42may receive a third signal indicative of the temperature of gas entering the booster pump12from a third temperature sensor70for detecting the temperature of gas within the conduit18. Alternatively, the relationship(s) between two, or more, temperature signals may be used to derive a suitable control signal. The inverter controller42then varies the power, and the values for fmaxand Imax, in dependence on one, or more, of the first, second and third signals. For example, when one of the temperatures reaches a first predetermined value, the value of Imaxis returned to the pre-set value, and when one of the temperatures reaches a second predetermined value different from the first value, the value of fmaxis increased.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.