Patent Abstract:
A surface particle detector that includes a scanner slidable over a surface, a particle counter for counting particles passed therethrough, and a conduit connected between the scanner and the particle counter. The particle counter includes a pump for creating an airstream for drawing particles from the surface, through the scanner and conduit, to the particle counter, and back to the scanner. A sensor measures the airstream flow rate, and a controller controls the pump speed based upon the sensed airstream flow rate. The conduit attaches to the particle counter via a first connector, which contains electronic indicia identifying the type of scanner attached to the other end of the conduit. The controller controls the particle counter in response to the detected electronic indicia. The particle counter also includes a removable filter cartridge with a filter element that captures the counted particles for laboratory analysis.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/232,267, filed Sep. 13, 2000, and entitled Improved Surface Particle Detector. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to particle counting for clean room applications, and relates more particularly to an improved device for moving particles off of a surface and into a particle counter and a filter for the purpose of ascertaining contamination levels.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Contamination detection and quantification requirements have become increasingly important, particularly with the rapid evolution of high-tech industries. For example, the semiconductor industry has developed technology for precisely producing microelectronic devices. In order to reliably produce such products, highly stringent contamination standards must be maintained in the production facilities.  
           [0004]    In an effort to control and minimize contamination in crucial stages of a production process, “cleanrooms” are frequently used. A cleanroom is a room in which the air filtration, air distribution, utilities, materials of construction, equipment, and operating procedures are specified and regulated to control airborne particle concentrations to meet appropriate airborne particulate cleanliness classifications.  
           [0005]    It is important to monitor the cleanliness/contamination levels in a cleanroom, especially for detecting particles on a cleanroom surface. Visual inspection techniques have been used with ultraviolet or oblique white light. Ultraviolet light is employed to take advantage of the fact that certain organic particles fluoresce. Alternatively, white light is shined towards the test surface at an angle so as to produce reflections that can be visualized. While the white light technique is slightly more sensitive than the ultraviolet technique, they both suffer from the same limitations. These visual inspection techniques only allow a cursory inspection of the surface conditions. They do not provide quantitative data. Also, the visual inspection techniques, at best, only detect particles that are larger than twenty microns. It is often desirable to detect particles that are less than one micron.  
           [0006]    Another inspection technique involves removing particles from a test surface, by for example, applying a piece of adhesive tape to the test surface. The particles on the tape are then manually quantified by putting the tape under a microscope and visually counting the particles. This technique allows the detection of particles of approximately five microns or larger. The primary disadvantage of this technique is that it is very time consuming, and that it is highly sensitive to variability between operators.  
           [0007]    A third inspection technique is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,538, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The &#39;538 patent discloses a device that includes a scanner having at least one opening for receiving particles from the sample surface. The scanner is connected to a tube having first and second ends. The first end of the tube is connected to the scanner and the second end of the tube is connected to a particle counter that employs optical laser technology. The particle counter includes a vacuum generator that causes air to flow from the sample surface through the scanner, through the tube and into the particle counter, where particles contained in the air stream are counted. The &#39;538 patent discloses an inspection method that involves the use of the particle counting device. A background particle level of zero is first established by holding the scanner near the cleanroom supply air and taking repeated readings, or by installing an optional zero-count filter in the particle counter. Next, the hand-held scanner is passed over the sample surface at a constant rate for a predetermined test period. The test cycle is started by pushing the run switch, which is located on the scanner. The particle counter counts and reads out a number corresponding to the average number of particles per unit area. The process is usually repeated several times along adjacent surface areas, each time yielding a “test reading”.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is a device for counting particles on a sample surface. The device includes a scanner having at least one opening for receiving particles from a sample surface, a particle counter for counting particles passed therethrough, a conduit having a first end connected to the scanner and a second end connected to the particle counter, wherein the conduit includes first and second tubes, a sensor and a controller. The particle counter includes a pump for producing an airstream flowing from the scanner opening, through the first tube, through the particle counter, and back to the scanner via the second tube, for carrying the particles to the particle counter for quantitation. The sensor measures a rate of flow of the airstream. The controller controls a speed of the pump in response to the measured rate of flow of the airstream to maintain the airstream at a constant flow rate while the particle counter quantitates the particles in the airstream.  
           [0009]    In another aspect of the present invention, the device includes a scanner having at least one opening for receiving particles from a sample surface, a conduit having a first end connected to the scanner and a second end terminating in a first connector, wherein the conduit includes first and second tubes; a particle counter, electronic indicia, and a controller. The particle counter counts particles passed therethrough, and includes a port for receiving the first connector and a pump for producing an airstream flowing from the scanner opening, through the first tube, through the particle counter, and back to the scanner via the second tube, for carrying the particles to the particle counter for quantitation. The electronic indicia is disposed in at least one of the first connector, the conduit and the scanner for identifying at least one characteristic of the scanner. The controller detects the electronic indicia via the port and first connector, and controls the particle counter in response to the detected electronic indicia.  
           [0010]    In yet one more aspect of the present invention, the device includes a scanner having at least one opening for receiving particles from a sample surface, a particle counter for analyzing particles passed therethrough, and a conduit having a first end connected to the scanner and a second end connected to the particle counter. The conduit includes first and second tubes. The particle counter includes a pump for producing an airstream flowing from the scanner opening, through the first tube, through the particle counter, and back to the scanner via the second tube, for carrying the particles to the particle counter. The particle counter also includes a particle detector for counting the particles in the airstream coming from the scanner, a filter cartridge port through which the airstream flows after passing through the particle detector, and a filter cartridge removably connected to the filter cartridge port for capturing the particles in the airstream after being counted by the particle detector.  
           [0011]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent by a review of the specification, claims and appended figures.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the particle detector of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1B is a partially broken away view of the particle detector of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 2A and 2B are top and bottom perspective views of the scanner of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of the particle counter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the airstream path in the particle detector of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a partially broken away view of the particle capture filter cartridge and tray of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of the quick release connection between the conduit and the particle counter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams showing the pneumatic tubing and electrical wiring of the conduit for the scanner head and purge filter head, respectively, of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 8A to  8 F are front views of the control panel and display of the present invention, illustrating the various screens produced by the display. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    The present invention is an improved surface particle detector, relative to the particle detector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,538, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The present invention advantageously employs in operable combination three primary elements to provide the flexibility of conveniently sampling particles on a wide variety of surfaces, while also providing relative quantitative data with a high degree of precision and repeatability. In broad terms, the invention involves the combination of a state-of-the-art particle counter connected to one of a plurality of specially designed and sized sampling scanners via a flexible conduit. In a preferred embodiment the conduit has two air tubes and electrical wires for supplying and returning air to and from the sample surface and for powering the scanner. The light weight moveable scanner and flexible tube design allow particle sampling on many different types of accessible surfaces. The sample surface may or may not be substantially flat, and may or may not be smooth.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 1A and 1B show the primary components of the particle detector  10  for analyzing particles on a sample surface. The main detector components include a particle counter assembly  12 , a housing  14  surrounding the particle counter assembly  12 , a scanner probe  16 , and conduit  18  connected between the particle counter assembly  12  and probe  16 .  
         [0023]    Housing  14  includes a base  20 , a shaped top cover  22 , a front plate  24  with an aperture  26  for viewing a display, and a handle  28 . These housing components are shaped to enclose particle counter assembly  12  in a small, lightweight, portable package. The housing can include a heatsink for dissipating heat generated inside the unit. Preferably, housing  14  includes a small circulating fan to normalize air temperature inside the unit so that the unit does not overheat.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the scanner probe  16 , which includes a substantially planar base  30 . The scanner base  30  has a bottom side  32  for interfacing with the sample surface. The scanner base  30  is perpendicularly connected to a scanner handle  34  which includes a control section  35  having run switch  36  for activating the particle detector and an LED light indicating that particle counting is in progress. The conduit  18  includes a pair of tubes  38  and  40  (supply and return hoses) each having a first and a second end. The first ends of the tubes  38 / 40  are connected to the scanner handle  34 , and the second ends are connected to a port  92  in the particle counter assembly  12 . The conduit  18  also includes electrical wiring  44  which electrically connects the scanner probe  16  to the particle counter  12 . The scanner probe  16  fits into a receptacle  15  in the housing  16  for easy storage.  
         [0025]    The base portion  30  of the scanner probe  16  has two coin-shaped portions  46  and  48  which are fastened together by screws  50 . The scanner embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is designed primarily for picking up particles off of a substantially flat surface. However, scanners of other shapes which are specifically designed to conform to non-flat sample surfaces could also be used. Coin-shaped portion  46  of the scanner base  30  is also referred to as a face plate, and is preferably made of a material which is impregnated with a friction limiting non-particulating substance, for example, hard black anodized aluminum with Teflon impregnation, type 3, class 2, mil spec A8625D. The scanner handle  34  has two bores  56  and  58  for receiving the supply and return tubes  38 / 40 . Another hole  60  is provided in the handle  34  for receiving the electrical wiring  44  from the conduit  18 .  
         [0026]    The scanner base bottom side  32  is designed to interface with the sample surface. In this embodiment, the bottom side  32  has a hole  62  which is located approximately in the center of the base plate bottom side  32 . The hole  62  is connected to the bore  56  in the scanner handle  34  which is connected to the return tube  40  of conduit  18 . Particles from the sample surface are sucked through the face plate hole  62  for the purpose of counting the particles in the particle counter assembly  12 . The base plate bottom side  32  also has a plurality of smaller holes  64  which converge into the scanner handle bore  58 , which is connected to the air supply tube  38  of conduit  18 . Air is supplied from the particle counter assembly  12  and delivered through the face plate holes  64  onto the sample surface for dislodging and fluidizing particles so that they may be sucked through face plate hole  62  for counting. Face plate bottom side  32  also has intersecting grooves  66  for channeling dislodged particles into face plate hole  62 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 schematically shows the particle counter assembly  12 , which includes a 90-260 VAC-DC converter  70 , a battery charge controller  72 , a batter pack  74 , a differential pressure sensor  78 , a vacuum pump  80 , a laser particle detector  82 , a display controller  84  for controlling a color display  86  and receiving input from switches  88  located on a control panel, all controlled by a system controller  90 . A series of ports are also connected to the controller  90 , including a smart probe port  92 , a calibration signal output port  94 , a user printer port  96 , and a host computer data port  98 . In a preferred embodiment, the controller  90  also includes software for converting numbers of detected particles to numbers of particles per unit area relative to the sample surface.  
         [0028]    The rechargeable battery pack  74  allows the unit to run for about 2 hours of continuous use or 8 hours in normal intermittent use. The system can also run on AC power for stationary applications. The system is targeted to weigh less than 16 lbs. The battery powered, lightweight unit and convenient carrying handle results in a truly portable unit that will enable the user to access areas that previously were difficult to access and to reduce the setup time.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 illustrates the airstream path of the particle detector device  10 . The airstream plumbing is a substantially closed loop system, where clean air is supplied to the scanner probe  16  and particles are returned in the air stream that feeds the particle detector  82 . An intake of the vacuum pump  80  is plumbed to the discharge side of the particle detector  82 , with an optional particle capture filter  104  plumbed between the vacuum pump  80  and the particle detector  82 . Plumbed to the discharge side of the vacuum pump  62  is a (HEPA) filter  100  that filters out particles from the flowing air, and an airflow measurement device (such as a differential pressure sensor)  78  that measures the rate of airflow through the system (using a controlled orifice in the airstream path). The discharge side of the filter  100  is plumbed to the supply tube  38  to supply filtered air to the exhaust holes  64  of the scanner probe  16 .  
         [0030]    The vacuum pump  80  creates a partial vacuum through the particle detector  82 , return tube  40  of conduit  18 , and to the scanner opening  62 . The partial vacuum draws air from the sample surface to the particle detector  82 , which is preferably a laser diode light scattering counter known in the art that determines particle count and size. After the particles are analyzed, they are filtered from airstream either by capture filter  104  or HEPA filter  100 , whereafter the airstream is returned to the sample surface via smart probe  92 .  
         [0031]    Differential pressure sensor  78  measures the rate of airflow through the system. Controller  90  adjusts the speed of vacuum pump  80  to maintain the flow rate at the desired level. Flow rate control is important for several reasons. First, for accurate measurements, the flow rate should be the same for each particle measurement for a given scanner probe. Second, different probes  92  will require different flow rates for maximum accuracy. Third, when the probe  92  is scanned across the surface, additional pressure (back pressure) is imposed on the system, both initially as the probe is placed on the surface and as the texture or shape of the surface changes during the scan. It is therefore important to maintain the proper and constant flow rate throughout the entire scan to effectively remove particles from the surface and maintain a high sensitivity for the system.  
         [0032]    The particle capture filter  104  is a removable filter element inserted into the airstream path to capture the particles in the airstream that have just passed through and been counted by the laser particle detector  82 . This allows the user to not only measure the surface cleanliness, but to capture the counted particles for laboratory analysis and identification. In the preferred embodiment, the capture filter  104  is a membrane filter element that is disposed in a sealable, disposable cartridge  108  that inserts into a receptacle  110  connected to the system airstream, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The receptacle  110  and cartridge  108  have pneumatic quick disconnect connectors  112  that mate to connect the filter element  104  to the system airstream. Connectors  112  on the cartridge  108  can be manually capped after being disengaged from the system to prevent contamination of the filter element  104  until laboratory analysis can be performed. The filter cartridge  108  is installed and removed by means of a pullout tray  114  that is similar to a CD ROM. The tray  114  pops partially out from the receptacle  110  when a release button  115  is depressed. The tray  114  is then manually fully opened, and the removable filter cartridge  108  can be installed or removed. A dummy cartridge identical to cartridge  108  but with no filter element  104  inside can be inserted into the receptacle  110  if no capture filter  104  is needed. Sensors, preferably optical sensors, automatically identify the presence or absence of the cartridges, and whether the cartridge includes a filter  104  or is a dummy cartridge. This data is recorded along with the sample record. The vacuum pump  80  is deactivated if no cartridge is detected. The cartridge  108  is sealed when removed from the system, so that it can be sent to an analytical laboratory for analysis of the contamination trapped by the filter media  104 .  
         [0033]    The connection between the conduit  18  and the particle counter assembly is illustrated in FIG. 6. Single quick-release connector  116  and smart probe port  92  are used for both electrical and pneumatic connections. The conduit  18  terminates in the quick release multiconnector  116  that releasably engages with smart probe port  92 , each of which has pneumatic quick disconnect connectors  118  for connecting the air supply and return tubes  38 / 40  to the plumbing of the particle counter assembly  12 . Preferably, these quick disconnect connectors  118  are self sealing when disengaged to prevent contamination of the system airstream tubing. Connector  116  and port  92  also include electrical connectors  120  for supplying power to, and gathering data and signals from, the probe  16  via conduit electrical wiring  44  (i.e. to operate LED  54  and run switch  36 ). Connector  116  includes a release button  122  for quickly releasing the connector from the port  92 .  
         [0034]    Different sizes and types of probes  16  can be used to test different sized or shaped surface areas. Each probe type/size may require a different flow rate and/or a different set of calculations for data analysis. For example, ½ inch, 2-inch and 3-inch diameter scanner probes  16  have been used, some of which need different flow rates to operate correctly. The ½ inch probe may need about ½ cubic feet per minute (CFM) flow rate, while the 2 and 3 inch probes may need 1 CFM. Probes  92  may be called ‘smart’ probes because they include electronic indicia that allows the system controller  90  to automatically recognize one or more characteristics of the probe, such as its size and/or type. The electronic indicia could be an IC chip, electrical circuitry or simply predetermined combinations of electrical pin connections in the probe  16 , in the conduit  18 , or in the multiconnector  116  that is unique to the size/type of probe identified thereby. The controller automatically displays the probe type/size on the control screen, operates the vacuum pump  80  to generate the proper flow rate, and applies the proper formulas for calculating the particle detection results given the electronic indicia identified by the system controller  90 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7A illustrates the tubing  38 / 40  and electrical wiring  44  running between the multiconnector  116  and probe head  16 . FIG. 7B illustrates a purge filter  124  that can be attached to the system to clean out accumulated particles from the air lines in the system. The purge filter plugs into the system in the same way probe  16  does, although there is no need for electrical wiring  44  all the way to the purge filter itself. Purge filter  124  completely closes the airstream loop of the system, which can be run to filter out any particles in the system using purge filter  124 , the HEPA filter  100  and the particle capture filter  104  (if connected). Preferably, purge filter  124  filters particles out that are as small as 0.3 microns. The controller  90  will automatically recognize the absence of or type of probe attached to the system, including the purge filter, and run the system accordingly. For example, the vacuum pump  80  is deactivated if no probe or purge filter is detected.  
         [0036]    The particle counter assembly  12  includes a front display panel  86  that is exposed by the aperture  26  in front cover  24 . This front display panel is shown in FIGS. 8A to  8 F, and includes a multicolor screen  126  and a series of touch screen buttons  128  for operating the system. The preferred embodiment includes five screen navigation buttons to select from five different screens (Main: shows overview of system (FIG. 8A); Collect Data: shows current or last particle count data (FIG. 8B); Data Mode: allows user to choose normal full screen (FIG. 8D) or enlarged data modes (FIG. 8C) to better view critical data; View Data: shows previously recorded data (FIG. 8E); and Alarm Setup: allows user to set up alarm limits for each particle size (FIG. 8F).) There is also a Pump On/Off button (for activating/deactivating the vacuum pump  80 ), a Clear button (for clearing the highlighted field), and Navigation buttons (arrow buttons for moving a cursor and a Program button for saving selections on the screen). The large color screen enables the operator to comfortably view a large amount of data, or switch to the “zoom” screen to see only critical count data from a distance. Buttons  128  can be either hard wired keys, or soft keys displayed on a touch-sensitive type display screen  126 .  
         [0037]    The calibration port  94  allows a calibration technician to perform a normal calibration to the laser particle detector  82  without having to open the unit. Data collected is then stored in the particle detector  10 . The system has RS-232 serial and Ethernet communication capability via the data port  98 , so that collected data can be imported into a customers&#39; network or host computer. Data port  98  can also allow the unit to communicate through a network or directly with the internet, which would allow remote access to the unit and the data stored therein, as well as data or instructions that can be displayed on a computer screen. The preferred embodiment also includes multiple levels of password protected access (e.g. factory, owner, user, etc.), with each password level having different rights to make changes to the system or to access certain data.  
         [0038]    The scanner base  30  is preferably perpendicularly connected (but could instead be attached in a parallel fashion) to the scanner handle  34  which includes a control section  52  having the run switch  36  and an LED light  54  for indicating whether the device is counting particles. Activating the pump on/off button on the control panel activates the vacuum pump  80 , which should be run for a minute or two before data is collected. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, activating the run switch  36  while the system is in its standby mode (vacuum motor running but particle counting not activated) causes the system to go into its “counting” mode where particle measurements take place for a predetermined time period (e.g. 3 seconds) and the LED light  54  is activated. After the expiration of the predetermined time period, particle measurements cease and the LED light  54  is deactivated. Audible signals can also be produced to indicate when the instrument is switching between its “counting” and its “standby” modes.  
         [0039]    The device described above is used to obtain a relative cleanliness level by quantitating the released particles from surfaces. Examples of possible test surfaces include tables, shelves, walls, ceilings, benches, product containers or virtually any other kind of surface. Different scanner geometries can be employed for customizing the device to the particular sample surface of interest. The technique can be used to verify cleanliness prior to undertaking some type of clean room procedure. The technique can also be used to evaluate or compare the effectiveness of various cleaning techniques and products.  
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, filtered air is used to disturb the surface particles and a vacuum system collects the particles which are fluidized by the air. Particle levels are measured and recorded in particles per centimeters squared or particles per inch squared using optical/laser technology. The device of the present invention is capable of detecting particles as small as 0.3 microns. The air is filtered to 0.2 microns and supplied to the scanner head, where the same amount of air is pulled through the scanner head to the sensing system for counting and sizing.  
         [0041]    Prior to counting particles, the system should first be checked for zero counting by holding the scanner head towards the clean room supply air and taking repeated counts until the levels are below 5 particles per inch squared. The scanner head is then passed over the sample surface at a rate of 10 LFPM (2 LIPM) for a period of three or six seconds. The test cycle is started from the run switch  36  located in the scanner probe  16 . The scanner probe  16  is moved lightly across the surface assisted by the fluidizing air.  
         [0042]    As this method gives relative cleanliness levels immediately, it is recommended that routine monitoring be performed with historical data being logged for various surfaces and locations in the clean room. It is also recommended that a minimum of six readings be taken for any given area with average levels and maximum allowable single reading levels being established for the various surfaces and areas.  
         [0043]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described above and illustrated herein, but encompasses any and all variations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6