Patent ID: 8602706

Claim:
A substrate processing apparatus comprising: a transport chamber capable of holding a sealed atmosphere sealed off from atmosphere exterior to the transport chamber; at least one substrate holding module for holding a substrate, the at least one holding module being communicably connected to the transport chamber for allowing transfer of the substrate between the at least one holding module and transport chamber; a transport vehicle movably mounted in the transport chamber, the vehicle having a base and a substrate transfer arm that is movably jointed and movably mounted to the base; and another module capable of holding the substrate and communicably connected to the transport chamber for transferring the substrate therebetween, wherein the transport chamber defines a linear travel slot for the transport vehicle, the at least one holding module being located on one side of the slot, and the arm having articulation for moving a substrate to opposite sides of the slot allowing the other module to be selectably connected to the transport chamber on either side of the slot, wherein the substrate processing system includes a drive section having drive elements, that generate a force impinging on the transport vehicle, that is common to both driving the transport vehicle along the linear travel slot and effecting articulation of the arm where the transport vehicle can effect transfer of the substrate between the transport chamber and both the at least one holding module and the other module.