EP1012551A1 - Systeme ultra-pur de manometre a tube de bourdon - Google Patents

Systeme ultra-pur de manometre a tube de bourdon

Info

Publication number
EP1012551A1
EP1012551A1 EP98936830A EP98936830A EP1012551A1 EP 1012551 A1 EP1012551 A1 EP 1012551A1 EP 98936830 A EP98936830 A EP 98936830A EP 98936830 A EP98936830 A EP 98936830A EP 1012551 A1 EP1012551 A1 EP 1012551A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
outlet
seat
socket body
wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98936830A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1012551A4 (fr
Inventor
David C. Defrancesco
Brian T. Donahue
Louis A. Rosen
John A. Turbeville
Louis F. Bregy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ashcroft Inc
Original Assignee
Dresser Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/022,731 external-priority patent/US5952579A/en
Application filed by Dresser Industries Inc filed Critical Dresser Industries Inc
Publication of EP1012551A1 publication Critical patent/EP1012551A1/fr
Publication of EP1012551A4 publication Critical patent/EP1012551A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L7/00—Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements
    • G01L7/02—Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges
    • G01L7/04—Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges in the form of flexible, deformable tubes, e.g. Bourdon gauges
    • G01L7/041—Construction or mounting of deformable tubes

Definitions

  • the disclosures herein relate generally to pressure gauges and more particularly to such gauges used in semi-conductor fabrication process equipment.
  • a typical Bourdon tube pressure gauge system includes a socket body connected to adapt a Bourdon tube to a process connection.
  • the tube is exposed to a pressurized gas supply measured by a gauge, or a compound gauge which indicates pressure and/or a vacuum present in the Bourdon tube.
  • a cap on a distal end of the tube connects to a mechanical linkage. The tube flexes under pressure and the cap moves to actuate the linkage which drives a pointer indicating an analog reading. The reading is in pounds per square inch of positive pressure or in inches of Mercury (Hg) of vacuum pressure.
  • pressure gauges are used to monitor gas pressure in ultra high purity gas distribution systems.
  • gas sources include bottles, cylinders, or bulk gas supplies.
  • the gas system Before a gas source can be connected to an ultra high purity gas distribution system, the gas system must be purged from impurities and moisture. This purging process is known as dry down.
  • the factors that affect dry down time are internal volume and surface finish of the gas system including piping, fittings, components, etc. Dry down time can be very consuming, often several days.
  • pressure gauges are used to monitor gas pressure in ultra high purity gas distributions systems.
  • a typical semi-conductor fabrication process uses a variety of chemically corrosive gases to manufacture semi-conductor devices. When corrosive gases are trapped in crevices, microscopic corrosion occurs generating particulate. Particulate in turn can flow through the gas system into the semi-conductor device which in turn destroys the semi-conductor reducing process yield. Therefore, the goal of an ultra high purity gas distribution system is to include components that are free from crevices, and other surface imperfections that create particle generation sites.
  • a pressure gauge device includes a socket body having an outlet and a tube having an end connected to the outlet.
  • the outlet is a shaped, weld prep outlet formed on the socket body and includes an inner surface.
  • a continuous seat is formed on the outlet and includes a seat thickness.
  • the tube has an inner wall and an outer wall defining a wall thickness which is substantially the same as the seat thickness. The end of the tube is engaged with the seat so that the inner wall of the tube and the inner surface of the outlet are substantially aligned to form a crevice free tube-to-socket connection.
  • a pressure gauge device in another embodiment, includes a socket body having an inlet, an outlet and an internal passageway interconnecting the inlet and the outlet.
  • a Bourdon tube has a first end connected to the outlet and a second end of the tube has a cap mounted thereon.
  • the outlet is a shaped, weld prep formed on and protruding from the socket body.
  • the outlet has an inner surface.
  • a continuous shoulder is formed on the inner surface.
  • the shoulder has a shoulder thickness.
  • the tube has an inner wall and outer wall defining a wall thickness. The wall thickness is substantially the same as the shoulder thickness. The first end of the tube is engaged with the shoulder so that the inner wall of the tube and the inner surface of the outlet are substantially aligned to form a crevice free tube-to-socket connection.
  • a further embodiment provides a method of forming a crevice free tube-to- socket connection and includes the steps of shaping a seat on the outlet so that the seat has a seat thickness; shaping an end of a tube to matingly engage with the seat, the tube having an inner wall and an outer wall defining a wall thickness which is substantially the same as the seat thickness; and engaging the end of the tube with the seat so that the inner wall of the tube and the inner surface of the outlet are substantially aligned.
  • a principal advantage of this embodiment is the reduced internal volume of the pressure gauge system which reduces dry down and purge time.
  • the crevice free connection between the tube and socket body reduces particulate generation when exposed to chemically corrosive gases found in sem- conductor ultra high purity gas distribution systems.
  • Fig. 1 is an end view illustrating an embodiment of a pressure gauge device.
  • Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the pressure gauge device taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of the pressure gauge device taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of the socket body.
  • Fig. 5 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the socket body.
  • Fig. 6 is an opposite side view of the socket body of Fig. 5.
  • Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of the mating fit of the tube and the weld prep.
  • Fig. 8 is a frontal view of the socket body taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
  • a pressure gauge device 10 is illustrated at Figs. 1-3 and includes a process connection 12, a socket body 14 and a Bourdon tube 16.
  • the process connection 12 leads to a VCR fitting, e.g. a male fitting 18, which mates with a female fitting (not shown), or vice versa, which in turn connects to a pipe which carries a gas supply (also not shown).
  • the gas is a corrosive, aggressive gas supply used in the semi-conductor industry, e.g. hydrogen chloride or hydrogen fluoride gas.
  • the gas is a high-purity gas used for etching in producing semi-conductors in a clean room environment.
  • the socket body 14, Fig. 4 is a machined stainless steel part including an inlet 20, formed in the process connection 12 for receiving the gas, an outlet 22 formed in a surface 14a, and an internal passageway 24, inside body 14, which interconnects inlet 20 and outlet 22.
  • a pair of blind threaded bores 26, Fig. 6, formed in a surface 14b, are provided for attaching a pressure and/or vacuum indicator dial and movement (not shown) directly onto the socket body 14.
  • the socket body 14 adapts the Bourdon tube 16, Fig. 2, to the process connection 12.
  • the purpose of the gauge is to read the positive pressure and/or vacuum pressure present in the Bourdon tube 16.
  • a second pair of blind threaded bores 27, Fig. 5, formed in a surface 14c are provided for mounting the device 10 onto a stainless steel case (not shown) which is an enclosure for housing the device.
  • the enclosure includes a see-through glass window for reading the gauge.
  • Socket body 14, Fig. 1 includes a weld prep 28 at the outlet 22 for connection to a first end 16a of the Bourdon tube 16.
  • a cap 30 is attached by welding to a distal end 16b of the Bourdon tube.
  • Cap 30 functions in the well known manner, (not illustrated) as a connection to a mechanical linkage and through a gear set to drive a pointer when tube 16 flexes under pressure. The resulting movement indicates an analog reading on a dial face to show pounds per square inch of positive pressure in tube 16 or to show inches of Hg vacuum pressure in tube 16.
  • Weld prep 28, Figs. 4, 7 and 8 is machined on socket body 14 to form a seat 32 for receiving first end 16a of tube 16.
  • Seat 32 Fig. 8 is formed as a continuous oblong oval shaped shoulder on an inner surface 22a of weld prep 28, having a shoulder thickness designated S, Fig. 7.
  • Bourdon tube 16 is commercially available in various sizes and has an oblong cross-section with substantially pointed sides.
  • a pair of spaced apart pins are urged into end 16a of tube 16 to reshape the pointed sides.
  • the end 16a is then crimped around an oval fixture until the original oblong pointed shape is transformed into a substantially oval oblong shape which mates with seat 32 of weld prep 28.
  • Tube 16, Fig. 7 has a wall 34 including an outer surface 36 and an inner surface 38 defining a wall thickness designated W which is substantially the same as the shoulder thickness designated S.
  • W wall thickness
  • S shoulder thickness
  • the volume of the device 10 is substantially reduced over previous devices.
  • the total internal gas volume of the tube 16 and socket body passageway 24 is about 1-1.25 cubic centimeters. This volume reduction substantially reduces dry- down time. This is accomplished by forming the passageway 24, Fig. 4, in socket body 14 with inlet 20 having a bore diameter of about 0.180 inches interconnected with outlet 22 having a bore diameter of about 0.082 inches. The bore diameters are formed by appropriately sized reamers. A finish is then applied to the inlet and outlet bores by a mechanical polishing step comprising a slurry hone process.
  • the process involves the use of silicon carbide media reciprocally moved within the bores under high pressure and high temperature, to remove the circular machining marks and to provide flow lines in the bore surfaces which run in the direction of the honing media. In this manner a 10 RA profilometer finish is accomplished on the bore surfaces.
  • the socket body 14 is then welded to the male fitting 18.
  • End 16a, Fig. 7, of tube 16 is welded to weld prep 28 so that end 16a engages seat 32.
  • the tube 16 is aggressively cleaned by a passivation process. First the tube 16 is treated in an alkaline cleaner to remove oils and grease. Next, tube 16 is treated in a nitric hydrofluoric acid both to remove any oxidation on surfaces of tube 16. This allows a clean weld connection between tube 16 and socket body 14.
  • the process of welding process connection 18 to socket body 14 is accomplished by the use of an ultra-high purity gas, e.g. high purity Argon.
  • the process connection 18 to socket body 14 assembly is subjected to the alkaline cleaner to remove oil and grease.
  • the assembly is then treated in another nitric hydrofluoric acid bath to remove oxidation from all surfaces.
  • An electropolishing step is then accomplished which electropolishes surfaces of the device inside and out with the exception of the inner surface 38 of tube 16.
  • This process includes a mixture of phosphoric and sulfuric acids in a bath with a current applied.
  • a further passivation step in the nitric acid enhances corrosion resistance to the surfaces of the device 10 and forms a chrome oxide layer so that iron oxide does not form.
  • the device is taken into a clean room environment and bathed in ultra-pure deionized water, then dried in a vacuum back environment to remove all moisture. Finally cap 30 is welded onto end 16b of tube 16 in an oxygen and moisture free environment and the final assembly is calibrated in the clean room. Peripheral connections including the movement pointer, case, window and gauge are finalized and the device is packaged in a bag filled with pure N 2 and enclosed in a second bag before shipping.
  • the result is a crevice free tube-to socket connection of reduced volume, which reduces dry down and purge time.
  • the crevice free connection between the tube and socket body at the shoulder formed in the weld prep reduces particulate generation when the device is exposed to the chemically corrosive gasses used in semi-conductor ultra-high purity gas distribution systems.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)

Abstract

On utilise un corps de support (14) de volume réduit et un tube (16) de volume réduit dans un système de manomètre d'équipement de procédé de fabrication de semi-conducteurs. Le corps de support (14) comprend une sortie et le tube (16) présente une extrémité (16a) connectée à ladite sortie. Ladite sortie est une préparation de soudure (28) façonnée, formée sur le corps de support (14) ayant une surface interne (22a). Un siège continu (32) est formé sur la sortie et présente une épaisseur de siège (S). Le tube (16) comprend une paroi interne (38) et une paroi externe (36) définissant une épaisseur de paroi (W) sensiblement identique à celle du siège (S). L'extrémité (16a) du tube (16) vient en contact avec le siège (32) de sorte que la paroi interne (38) du tube et la surface interne (22a) de la sortie soient sensiblement alignés et qu'un raccord tube-support libre à fente soit formé.
EP98936830A 1997-07-11 1998-07-10 Systeme ultra-pur de manometre a tube de bourdon Withdrawn EP1012551A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US5227197P 1997-07-11 1997-07-11
US52271P 1997-07-11
US227731 1998-02-12
US09/022,731 US5952579A (en) 1998-02-12 1998-02-12 Ultra-high purity Bourdon tube pressure gauge system
PCT/US1998/014405 WO1999002955A1 (fr) 1997-07-11 1998-07-10 Systeme ultra-pur de manometre a tube de bourdon

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1012551A1 true EP1012551A1 (fr) 2000-06-28
EP1012551A4 EP1012551A4 (fr) 2004-04-28

Family

ID=26696314

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98936830A Withdrawn EP1012551A4 (fr) 1997-07-11 1998-07-10 Systeme ultra-pur de manometre a tube de bourdon

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1012551A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU8569298A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999002955A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6651507B1 (en) 1998-05-15 2003-11-25 Dresser, Inc. Pressure gauge having a dampener mechanism
DE102010037633A1 (de) * 2010-09-17 2012-03-22 Otto Radau Druckmessgerät mit verbesserter Anordnung einer Messfeder

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1172593A (en) * 1966-03-04 1969-12-03 Foster Wheeler Corp Bore Welding in Enlarged Bore
US3975967A (en) * 1975-04-21 1976-08-24 Dresser Industries, Inc. Corrosion resistant Bourdon tube
US4221263A (en) * 1978-04-06 1980-09-09 Nooter Corporation Tube-type vessel and method of joining the tubes to the tubesheets in such vessels
US4543833A (en) * 1983-04-18 1985-10-01 Dresser Industries, Inc. Pressure gauge with add-on wrench flats
US4939338A (en) * 1986-05-09 1990-07-03 Dresser Industries, Inc. Welded article and method of manufacture
US4943001A (en) * 1987-07-07 1990-07-24 Nooter Corporation Tube-type vessel having crevice-free joints and method for manufacturing the same
US5591918A (en) * 1996-01-16 1997-01-07 Dresser Industries, Inc. Pressure gauge for semi-conductor processing

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US18129A (en) * 1857-09-08 Tube fob steam-pressure gages
US1537338A (en) * 1922-11-11 1925-05-12 James Morrison Brass Mfg Compa Homogenizer gauge

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1172593A (en) * 1966-03-04 1969-12-03 Foster Wheeler Corp Bore Welding in Enlarged Bore
US3975967A (en) * 1975-04-21 1976-08-24 Dresser Industries, Inc. Corrosion resistant Bourdon tube
US4221263A (en) * 1978-04-06 1980-09-09 Nooter Corporation Tube-type vessel and method of joining the tubes to the tubesheets in such vessels
US4543833A (en) * 1983-04-18 1985-10-01 Dresser Industries, Inc. Pressure gauge with add-on wrench flats
US4939338A (en) * 1986-05-09 1990-07-03 Dresser Industries, Inc. Welded article and method of manufacture
US4943001A (en) * 1987-07-07 1990-07-24 Nooter Corporation Tube-type vessel having crevice-free joints and method for manufacturing the same
US5591918A (en) * 1996-01-16 1997-01-07 Dresser Industries, Inc. Pressure gauge for semi-conductor processing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9902955A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU8569298A (en) 1999-02-08
EP1012551A4 (fr) 2004-04-28
WO1999002955A1 (fr) 1999-01-21

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