Patent Publication Number: US-2023143103-A1

Title: System and apparatus for a valve assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/278,010, filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR A VALVE ASSEMBLY,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a system and apparatus for a valve assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and a valve assembly used during the fabrication of semiconductor devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Valve assemblies may be used to control the flow of various chemicals (such as liquids and gases) through a pipe system during the fabrication of semiconductor devices. During the fabrication process, the temperature of the chemical flowing through the pipe system and valve assemblies may be regulated. For example, the chemical flowing through the pipe system and valve assemblies may be heated to a particular temperature, and precise monitoring of the temperature of the chemical may be desired to achieve optimal semiconductor device structures. Conventional systems provide various temperature monitoring equipment and heating equipment throughout the chemical flow path that operate together to achieve the desired temperature. However, the heating equipment may not efficiently heat portions of the chemical flow path and the temperature monitoring equipment may not accurately detect the temperature of portions of the flow path, such as those that extend away from a heating source. Accordingly, some portions of the flow path may have little or no temperature regulation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A valve assembly may provide a body comprising a bottom portion and a top portion having a threaded region, a closing mechanism situated above the top portion of the body, an actuator in communication with the closing mechanism, a nut configured to attach to the threaded region; and a threaded hole extending into at least one of the bottom portion of the body or the nut. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings of certain embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. 
         FIG.  1    representatively illustrates a perspective view of a valve assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of the valve assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and 
         FIG.  3    is a cut-away view of a portion of the valve assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a partial view of an example of semiconductor processing system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative size of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an example of semiconductor processing system in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in  FIG.  4    and is designated generally by reference character 400. Other examples of semiconductor processing systems in accordance with the present disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , as will be described. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may be used for controlling chemical flow through a flow path and monitoring the temperature of the chemical in the flow path during semiconductor processing, though the present disclosure is not limited to use in semiconductor processing. 
     The description of exemplary embodiments provided below is merely exemplary and is intended for purposes of illustration only; the following description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims. Moreover, recitation of multiple embodiments having stated features is not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features or other embodiments incorporating different combinations of stated features. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to valve assembly used to control the flow of a chemical. In addition, some aspects of the present technology are generally related to a valve assembly configured for more accurate temperature monitoring. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , a system  400  may comprise a vessel  405  containing a chemical, such as a liquid or gas. The system  400  may further comprise a pipe system  410  connecting the vessel  405  to a reaction chamber  415 . The pipe system  410  may be configured to flow the chemical from the vessel  405  to the reaction chamber  415 . The pipe system  410  may comprise a valve assembly  100  to control the flow of the chemical from the vessel  405  to the reaction chamber  415 . 
     In various embodiments, the system  400  may further comprise a temperature regulation system configured to monitor the temperature of the chemical throughout the system  400  and heat the pipe system  410 . For example, the temperature regulation system may comprise a heating source (not shown), such as a heater jacket, configured to wrap around the exterior of the pipe system  410  and/or the vessel  405  to heat the pipe system  410  and/or vessel  405 . 
     In various embodiments, the temperature regulation system may further comprise a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple, configured to measure the temperature of the chemical in the pipe system  410 . The temperature sensor may generate a sensor signal corresponding to the temperature of the chemical in the pipe system  410 . For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the system  400  may comprise a first thermocouple  425  to measure the temperature of the chemical at a first location along the flow path of the chemical and a second thermocouple  420  to measure the temperature of the chemical at a second location along the flow path of the chemical. In such a case, each thermocouple  420 ,  425  may generate an independent sensor signal corresponding to the particular attachment location of the thermocouple. The temperature regulation system may further comprise a processor  430  or other suitable control system configured to receive the sensor signal and respond to the sensor signal by increasing/decreasing the temperature of the heating source in order to achieve a desired temperature of the chemical in the pipe system  410 . 
     In various embodiments, the valve assembly  100  may be configured to open and close according to an electrical signal or by a mechanical mechanism. For example, the valve assembly  100  may comprise a pneumatically-controlled valve, a solenoid-controlled valve, or any suitable valve control style. In addition, the valve assembly  100  may comprise a diaphragm valve, plug valve, needle valve, or the like. The particular valve type may be selected according to the particular application and/or system. For example, a particular valve may be more suitable for a particular application based on the valve specifications, such as flow rate, temperature rating, pressure rating, and the like. 
     In various embodiments, and referring to  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the valve assembly  100  may comprise a body  125  suitable for mounting to a surface of an object, such as the reaction chamber  415 . The body  125  may be formed of any suitable material, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or the like. In various embodiments, the body  125  may comprise a bottom portion  305  and a top portion  310 , wherein the top portion  310  is located directly above the bottom portion  305 . In an exemplary embodiment, the top portion  310  of the body  125  may comprise an outer threaded region  320  (i.e., a male threaded connection). In addition, the body  125  may comprise mounting holes (not shown) on a bottom surface  315  to attach or otherwise secure the valve assembly  100  to a surface of an object. 
     In various embodiments, the valve assembly  100  may further comprise a first pipe  115  and a second pipe  120 . The first pipe  115  may be an inlet pipe and the second pipe  120  may be an outlet pipe. For example, the chemical may enter the valve assembly  100  via the first pipe  115  and exit the valve assembly  120  via the second pipe  120 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first pipe  115  extends into the bottom portion  305  and upwards into the top portion  310 . Similarly, the second pipe  120  extends into the bottom portion  305  and upwards into the top portion  310 . For example, the first pipe  115  may be arranged to extend into a first side of the bottom portion  305  of the body  125 , and the second pipe  120  may be arranged to extend into a second side, opposite the first side, of the bottom portion  305  of the body  125 . 
     In various embodiments, the valve assembly  100  may further comprise a first hole  230 . The first hole  230  may be located in the bottom portion  305  of the body  125  and directly above the first pipe  115 . In various embodiments, the first hole  230  may be separated from the first pipe  115  by a distance that prevents the thermocouple from breaking through the wall of the first hole  230 . For example, the first hole  230  may be separated from the first pipe  115  by a distance of approximately 1 mm. However, in other cases, the first hole  230  may be separated from the first pipe  115  may a distance of approximately 0.5 mm, or any feasible distance. In various embodiments, the first hole  230  may comprise a threaded inner surface (i.e., a female threaded connection). The threaded inner surface may be used to secure or otherwise attach a first thermocouple  425  or other suitable temperature sensor to the valve assembly  100 . For example, the first thermocouple  425  may comprise a threaded connection (e.g., a male threaded connection) suitable for mating with the first hole  230 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first hole  230  may have any suitable diameter that does not interfere with the first pipe  115 . Accordingly, the first hole  230  may have any diameter size based on the overall size of the body  125  and/or the particular valve type of the valve assembly. For example, the first hole  230  may have a diameter in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 6 mm. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first hole  230  may have any suitable depth so as to not interfere with or break through into the first pipe  115 . Accordingly, the first hole  230  may have a depth based on the overall size of the body  125  and/or the particular valve type of the valve assembly. For example, the first hole  230  may have a depth in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 6 mm. 
     In various embodiments, the valve assembly  100  may further comprise an actuator  105  in communication with and configured to operate (open/close) a mechanism  300  (i.e., opening/closing mechanism). The mechanism  300  may be configured to open and close the flow path between the first pipe  115  and the second pipe  120 . The actuator  105  may be controlled electrically or mechanically based on the control style of the valve assembly, as described above. In addition, the mechanism  300  may comprise a diaphragm, a plug, a needle, or the like, and may be based on the desired valve type. 
     In various embodiments, the mechanism  300  may be positioned at or above the top portion  310  of the body  125 . For example, and referring to  FIG.  3   , the mechanism  300 , in this case a diaphragm, is positioned horizontally on top a top surface of the body  125  and situated to extend across both an opening of the first pipe  115  and an opening of the second pipe  120 . Accordingly, the actuator  105  may raise the diaphragm to open the flow path between the first pipe  115  and the second pipe  120 , and lower the diaphragm to close the flow path between the first pipe  115  and the second pipe  120 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the mechanism  300  may be within the body  125 . For example, in the case of a needle valve or a plug valve. 
     In various embodiments, the valve assembly may further comprise a nut  110  configured to secure the mechanism  300  and/or the actuator  105  to the body  125 . In various embodiments, the nut  110  may comprise a top plate  325  and a side member  330  extending downward from the top plate  325 . The top plate  325  may be parallel with the top surface of the body  125 . In an exemplary embodiment, the side member may comprise an inner threaded region (i.e., a female threaded connection) configured to thread onto the outer threaded region  320  of the top portion  310  of the body  125 . 
     In various embodiments, the nut  110  may further comprise a second hole  130 . In various embodiments, the second hole  130  may be located adjacent to the mechanism  300 . For example, the second hole  130  may be separated from the mechanism  300  by any suitable distance so as to not interfere with the mechanism  300 , the threaded region  320  and/or the nut  110 . Accordingly, the distance separating the second hole  130  and the mechanism may be based on the overall size of the body  125  and/or the particular valve type of the valve assembly. For example, the second hole  130  may be separated from the mechanism by about 1 mm. In various embodiments, the second hole  130  may comprise a threaded inner surface (i.e., a female threaded connection). The threaded inner surface of the second hole  130  may be used to secure or otherwise attach a second thermocouple  420  or other suitable temperature sensor to the valve assembly  100 . For example, the second thermocouple  420  may comprise a threaded connection (e.g., a male threaded connection) suitable for mating with the second hole  130 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the second hole  130  may have a diameter in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 6 mm. However, in other embodiments, the second hole  130  may have any diameter size based on the overall size of the nut  110  and/or the particular valve type and design of the valve assembly. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the second hole  130  may have a depth in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 6 mm. However, in other embodiments, the second hole  130  may have a depth based on the overall size of the nut  110  and/or the particular valve type and design of the valve assembly. 
     In operation, and referring to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the system  400  may operate the valve assembly  100  to allow the chemical to flow through the valve assembly  100 . For example, when the valve assembly  100  is open, the chemical may flow from the vessel  405  to the reaction chamber  415  via the first and second pipes  120 . In addition, the chemical may flow through a number of other valves and/or pipes in the flow path from the vessel  405  to the reaction chamber  415 . 
     During operation, the first thermocouple  425  and/or the second thermocouple  420  may, either periodically (e.g., every 2, 3, 4, etc. seconds) or continuously, measure the temperature of the chemical in the valve assembly  100 . The first thermocouple  425  and/or the second thermocouple  420  may measure the temperature of the chemical when the valve assembly  100  is open or closed. The first thermocouple  425  and/or the second thermocouple  420  may generate a sensor signal and transmit the sensor signal to the processor  430 . The processor  430  may analyze the sensor signal and generate a control signal to operate the heating source in response to the temperature signal. For example, the processor  430  may determine that temperature measured by the thermocouple (e.g., the first thermocouple  425 ) is not desirable (i.e., either too high or too low). In response, the processor  430  may generate a control signal to either increase the temperature of the heating source (in the case where the measured temperature is too low) or decrease the temperature of the heating source (in the case where the measured temperature is too high). 
     Although this disclosure has been provided in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically described embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the embodiments and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the embodiments of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above.