Source: http://www.google.de/patents/US20030075925
Timestamp: 2013-05-25 20:09:41
Document Index: 296960551

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 30', 'art 40', 'art 40', 'art 40', 'art 30', 'art 40', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 40']

Patent US20030075925 - Source chemical container assembly - Google PatenteSuche Bilder Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive Mehr » Erweiterte Patentsuche | Webprotokoll | Anmelden Erweiterte Patentsuche PatenteThe invention relates to a source chemical container assembly, comprising a metal container functioning as a vacuum chamber and provided with a removable closure, which removable closure seals against the metal container with a metal seal. In order to facilitate easy recharging of the container assembly,...http://www.google.de/patents/US20030075925?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030075925 - Source chemical container assembly Ver�ffentlichungsnummerUS20030075925 A1PublikationstypAnmeldung Ver�ffentlichungsdatum24. Apr. 2003Eingetragen28. Juni 2002 Priorit�tsdatum3. Juli 2001Auch ver�ffentlicht unterEP1404890A1EP1404890B1US6889864WO2003004723A1 Ver�ffentlichungsnummerUS 2003/0075925 A1US2003/0075925A1 ErfinderMarko KukkonenSven LindforsJan ZweygbergkUrspr�nglich Bevollm�chtigterLindfors SvenZweygbergk Jan VonKukkonen Marko J. US-Klassifikation285/367Internationale KlassifikationF16L23/10C23C16/448C23C16/44 UnternehmensklassifikationC23C16/4409F16L23/10C23C16/4481 Europ�ische KlassifikationF16L23/10C23C16/448BC23C16/44A12Referenzen Referenziert von (8)Externe LinksUSPTO USPTO-Zuordnung EspacenetSource chemical container assemblyUS 20030075925 A1 Zusammenfassung The invention relates to a source chemical container assembly, comprising a metal container functioning as a vacuum chamber and provided with a removable closure, which removable closure seals against the metal container with a metal seal. In order to facilitate easy recharging of the container assembly, compressive force is applied to the metal seal through a tension chain. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the metal seal and the tension chain are provided along a circumference of said metal container. The assembly can comprise an inner container in which the source chemical is contained. Zeichnungen(5) Anspr�che
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a source chemical assembly 10 according to the prior art. A metal seal (not shown) is applied between two flanges 16, 18, requiring a large number of bolts 14 individually threaded through nuts 12 to be able to apply a sufficiently high force over the whole sealing surface. [0020]FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an improvement over conventional source chemical containers used in connection with vapor deposition equipment. In particular, a source chemical container 20 includes an outer container 22 and an inner container 24. The inner container 24, shown in the cut-away view of FIG. 3, facilitates loading and unloading of the source chemical. Such a system is disclosed in co-owned Finnish application FI 20001166, filed on May 15, 2000 and corresponding U.S. publication No. 2001/0042523, published Nov. 22, 2001 (hereinafter �Kesala�), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0021]FIG. 4 indicates a source chemical assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment in its entirety by reference numeral 25, and the upper part of the metal container by reference numeral 30. The upper part 30 includes a rotationally symmetrical sidewall 32 and a top wall 34. The sidewall 32 is provided at its lower extremity with a flange 36. While not separately called out in FIG. 4, the skilled artisan will readily appreciate that the source chemical assembly is also provided with heaters, such as those described in Kesala (incorporated hereinabove) in order to vaporize the solid or liquid precursor. [0022] The bottom part of the metal container is indicated by reference numeral 40. The bottom part 40 comprises a rotationally symmetrical sidewall 42 and a bottom wall 44. The sidewall 42 is provided at its upper extremity with a flange 46. The bottom part 40 serves as a closure for the container, as described below. Additionally, the bottom wall 44 includes a recess 48, whose function is discussed in more detail below. [0023] A metal sealing gasket 50 is received between flanges 36 and 46. An expanded view of sealing gasket 50 between flanges 36 and 46 is shown at the left side of FIG. 4. The sealing gasket 50 comprises metal and preferably a metal more resistant to chemical attack than copper or aluminum. In particular, the sealing gasket 50 is preferably formed of nickel, nickel alloy, nickel-coated metal, precious metal (e.g., gold or platinum) coated metal or annealed transition metal (e.g., titanium). [0024] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the flanges 36 and 46 are shown pressed against each other by a plurality of thrust pieces 52. As best seen from the view of FIG. 5, the thrust pieces 52 are linked together by link pieces 54 and distributed about periphery of the flanges 36, 46 (FIG. 4). The link pieces 54 are rotatably joined to the thrust pieces 52 by hinges 56. In the illustrated embodiment, the thrust pieces 52 each include two hinges 56. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,089, issued Jan. 13, 1998 to Fend, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the link pieces can alternatively be rotatably joined to the thrust pieces by lugs in one of the pieces and recesses or holes in the other piece. As also disclosed in the '089 patent, link pieces on either side of a thrust piece can be rotatably joined to the thrust piece at the same hinge or lugs. At least one of the link/hinge connections among the thrust pieces 52 is replaced by a tensioning bolt 58, a bore hole through one side of a thrust piece 52 and an internally threaded bore through one of the link pieces 54 or another of the thrust pieces 52. In the illustrated embodiment, two such tensioning bolts 58 are shown. [0025] The thrust pieces 52, link pieces 54, hinges 56 and tensioning bolts 58 together define a tensioning chain. In operation, unscrewing the bolts 58 loosens and allows removal of the tensioning chain. Screwing the bolts 58 back into their respective bore holes connects and then tightens the tensioning chain. As best seen from FIG. 4, the thrust pieces 52 include sloped inner surfaces configured to pinch the flanges 36, 46 together upon application of inward pressure from tightening or tensioning the chain. The embodiment of FIG. 4 shows both flanges 36, 46 being conical, similar to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,849, issued Mar. 19, 1996 to Fend, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It will be appreciated that, in other arrangements, one of the flanges can be conical while the other is planar, as illustrated in the '089 patent. [0026] Referring again to FIG. 4, the metal container is provided with a first gas infeed 60 for the inlet of an inactive or inert gas like nitrogen or argon into the metal container and a gas outlet 70 for the outflow of the inactive gas mixed with source chemical. The gas infeed 60 is connected with an inlet conduit 62, which is connected to a source of inactive or inert gas (not shown). An inlet valve 61 is provided along the inlet conduit 62. The gas outlet 70 is connected with an outlet conduit 72, which leads to the reaction chamber in which the CVD, ALD or related process is performed. An outlet valve 71 is also provided along the conduit 72. For additional purge possibilities, conduits 74, 76 and valve 78 are provided. [0027] The source chemical is contained in an inner container 80, which is provided with a lid 81 and communicates with a gas space in the metal container through a porous lid cover 82. While the illustrated lid 81 fits over the inner container 80, it will be understood that the converse arrangement can also be employed. The inner container 80 can be made of glass or any other suitable material that is suitable for contacting the liquid or solid source chemical. As noted above, the recess 48 in the bottom wall 44 of the bottom part 40 is configured to receive and surround the bottom part of inner container 80. As best seen from the enlarged section at the left side of FIG. 5, the upper part 30 of the outer container, and particularly at the point where the sidewall 32 transitions from vertical to conical or flared, includes a plurality of inner grooves 84 to facilitate removal of the inner container 80 from the outer container 30, 40 and replacement thereof. For more details about the inner container 80 and possible alternative embodiments, see U.S. patent publication No. 2001/0042523, incorporated by reference hereinabove. [0028] In operation, when the source chemical within the container assembly 25 is exhausted, the assembly can be readily recharged. In particular, the valves 61, 71 (and, if present, 78) are closed and the assembly 25 is placed in a glove box. A fresh inner container 80 of the desired source chemical, typically in solid or liquid form, is also placed in the glove box, and the glove box is sealed and purged with inert gas. By loosening the tensioning bolts 58, the tensioning chain is loosened and removed from the flanges 36, 46 of the outer container 30, 40. The bottom part 40 is separated from the top part 30 and the entire inner container 80, with exhausted source chemical and any byproducts, is removed and replaced with the fresh inner container 80. A fresh metal gasket is inserted between the flanges 36, 46 and the upper part 30 is replaced over the bottom part 40. The tensioning chain is then reapplied, the bolts 58 are tightened, and the assembly is prepared for further processing. [0029] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various omissions, additions and modifications may be made to the processes described above without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] These and other aspects of the invention will be readily apparent from the description below, the appended claims and the drawings, which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and wherein: [0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a source chemical assembly, constructed in accordance with the prior art. [0015]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a source chemical assembly, similar to that of FIG. 1, including a conventional closure device and an internal container (hidden) to facilitate rapid charging and discharging of the source chemicals. [0016]FIG. 3 is an isometric, partially cut-away view of the source chemical assembly of FIG. 2. [0017]FIG. 4 is an elevational cross section through a source chemical assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0018]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4, illustrating a top view of the tension chain and an enlarged sectional view showing the inner container within the outer container.
Referenziert von Zitiert von PatentEingetragen Ver�ffentlichungsdatum Antragsteller TitelUS686674621. Nov. 200215. M�rz 2005Applied Materials, Inc.Clamshell and small volume chamber with fixed substrate supportUS686885929. Jan. 200322. M�rz 2005Applied Materials, Inc.Rotary gas valve for pulsing a gasUS699431929. Jan. 20037. Febr. 2006Applied Materials, Inc.Membrane gas valve for pulsing a gasUS73429843. Apr. 200311. M�rz 2008Zilog, Inc.Counting clock cycles over the duration of a first character and using a remainder value to determine when to sample a bit of a second characterUS754736314. Juni 200416. Juni 2009Tosoh Finechem CorporationSolid organometallic compound-filled container and filling method thereofUS760164831. Juli 200613. Okt. 2009Applied Materials, Inc.Method for fabricating an integrated gate dielectric layer for field effect transistorsUS809260412. Mai 200910. Jan. 2012Tosoh Finechem CorporationSolid organometallic compound-filled container and filling method thereofUS811893917. M�rz 200621. Febr. 2012Noah Precision, LlcTemperature control unit for bubblersDrehenOriginalbildGoogle-Startseite - Sitemap - USPTO-Bulk-Downloads - Datenschutzerkl�rung - Nutzungsbedingungen - �ber Google Patente - Feedback gebenDaten bereitgestellt von IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.© 2012 Google