Systems and methods for slit valve control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12553524-B2
Application number	US-202418613441-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 22, 2024
Priority date	Mar 22, 2024
Publication date	Feb 17, 2026
Grant date	Feb 17, 2026

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for slit valve control are provided. In some embodiments, a slit valve system includes a slit valve body having an opening configured to permit passage of a substrate; a door in the valve body, configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in which the opening is closed; a pneumatic actuator coupled to the door, the pneumatic actuator including a moving member configured to exert a force on the door; and a controller coupled to the pneumatic actuator, the controller configured to control fluid pressure entering the pneumatic actuator based at least on a target actuation time of the door or target vibration of the door.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A slit valve system, comprising:
a slit valve body having an opening configured to permit passage of a substrate; a door in the valve body, configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in which the opening is closed; a pneumatic actuator coupled to the door, the pneumatic actuator including a moving member configured to exert a force on the door; and a controller coupled to the pneumatic actuator, the controller configured to control fluid pressure entering the pneumatic actuator based at least on a user-input vibration value of a target vibration of the door.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a supply line coupled to the pneumatic actuator; and an exhaust line coupled to the pneumatic actuator, wherein the controller is coupled to at least one of the supply line or the exhaust line.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is in line with at least one of the supply line or the exhaust line.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a pressure control signal.

5 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a switching valve coupled to the supply line and the exhaust line between the controller and the pneumatic actuator.

6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first sensor configured to sense a first position of the moving member corresponding to the open position of the door and a second sensor configured to sense a second position of the moving member corresponding to the closed position of the door.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to control fluid pressure entering the pneumatic actuator based on an elapsed time between the first sensor detecting the first position and the second sensor detecting the second position.

8 . A substrate processing system, comprising:
a first chamber having a first opening; a second chamber having a second opening; and a slit valve system coupled between the first opening and the second opening, the slit valve system comprising:
a slit valve body having an opening configured to permit passage of a substrate;
a door in the valve body, configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in which the opening is closed;
a pneumatic actuator coupled to the door, the pneumatic actuator including a moving member configured to exert a force on the door; and
a controller coupled to the pneumatic actuator, the controller configured to control fluid pressure entering the pneumatic actuator based at least on a user-input vibration value of a target vibration of the door.

9 . The substrate processing system of claim 1 , wherein the slit valve system further comprises:
a supply line coupled to the pneumatic actuator; and an exhaust line coupled to the pneumatic actuator, wherein the controller is coupled to at least one of the supply line or the exhaust line.

10 . The substrate processing system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is in line with at least one of the supply line or the exhaust line.

11 . The substrate processing system of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a pressure control signal.

12 . The substrate processing system of claim 9 , wherein the slit valve system further comprises a switching valve coupled to the supply line and the exhaust line between the controller and the pneumatic actuator.

13 . The substrate processing system of claim 8 , wherein the slit valve system further comprises a first sensor configured to sense a first position of the moving member corresponding to the open position of the door and a second sensor configured to sense a second position of the moving member corresponding to the closed position of the door.

14 . The substrate processing system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to control fluid pressure entering the pneumatic actuator based on an elapsed time between the first sensor detecting the first position and the second sensor detecting the second position.

15 . A method for controlling a slit valve comprising:
a slit valve body having an opening configured to permit passage of a substrate; a door in the valve body, configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in which the opening is closed; and a pneumatic actuator coupled to the door, the pneumatic actuator including a moving member configured to exert a force on the door; and the method comprising: receiving a user-input vibration value of a target vibration of the door; determining a pressure control signal based at least on the user-input vibration value of the target vibration of the door; and controlling fluid pressure entering the pneumatic actuator based on the determined pressure control signal.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the pressure control signal is based on a functional relationship between target vibration and pressure.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the functional relationship is logarithmic.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the slit valve further comprises a first sensor configured to sense a first position of the moving member corresponding to the open position of the door and a second sensor configured to sense a second position of the moving member corresponding to the closed position of the door, and the method further comprises sensing an elapsed time between the first position and the second position.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein fluid pressure entering the pneumatic actuator is controlled based on the elapsed time between the first sensor detecting the first position and the second sensor detecting the second position.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising comparing a target actuation time corresponding to the target vibration and the elapsed time and adjusting the pressure control signal based on the comparing.

Assignees

• Applied Materials Inc

Inventors

• Lee Yongjoo
• Yeo Jongmo
• Lee Gunbum
• Kim Kiduk

Classifications

• F16K3/0254

  being operated by particular means · CPC title

• F16K37/0041

  for measuring valve parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16K51/02

  specially adapted for high-vacuum installations · CPC title

• F16K3/18 Primary

  by movement of the closure members · CPC title