Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D7/00—Control of flow
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D7/00—Control of flow
  • G05D7/06—Control of flow characterised by the use of electric means
  • G05D7/0617—Control of flow characterised by the use of electric means specially adapted for fluid materials
  • G05D7/0629—Control of flow characterised by the use of electric means specially adapted for fluid materials characterised by the type of regulator means
  • G05D7/0635—Control of flow characterised by the use of electric means specially adapted for fluid materials characterised by the type of regulator means by action on throttling means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D11/00—Control of flow ratio
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
  • H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
  • H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
  • H01L21/67011—Apparatus for manufacture or treatment
  • H01L21/6715—Apparatus for applying a liquid, a resin, an ink or the like
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/0971—Speed responsive valve control
  • Y10T137/0989—Acceleration responsive valve control

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to the field of dispensing fluids. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods of controlling fluid flow at the end of a dispense process.
• a SOG material typically a silicon dioxide solution
• SOG Spin-On Glass
• the wafer is then immediately rotated at a high speed, spreading the SOG material across the wafer.
• the amount of SOG material dispensed, surface tension of the SOG material solution, viscosity of the SOG material solution, the oxide concentration of the SOG material and the spin rate of the wafer affect the resulting film thickness.
• pumps and valves are used to control the amount of liquid dispensed from the nozzle.
• a controller determines how much liquid has been dispensed based on the flow rate of the liquid and the amount of time the dispense process has been ongoing.
• the controller can signal a control valve upstream of the nozzle to close, cutting off fluid flow to the nozzle.
• a ) suckback valve also located upstream of the nozzle, can draw fluid remaining in the nozzle out of the nozzle.
• the fluid In order to achieve proper uniformity of a SOG material layer across a wafer, the fluid must break off cleanly with no droplets hitting the wafer after the end of the dispense process.
• Many semiconductor manufacturing systems use open/close pneumatic valves to terminate a dispense process.
• An open/close valve will typically close with a single speed more quickly than desired to produce a clean break off.
• an open/close valve will typically slam shut when the controller signals the end of the dispense process. This can cause the fluid to severely oscillate at the end of the dispense process, potentially causing droplets or excess fluid to drip onto the wafer, thereby affecting the uniformity of film thickness on the wafer.
• proportional valves in which the rate of change of closure (i.e., the acceleration) can be set to a predefined value, such that the valve can close more slowly than "slamming shut.”
• a valve is a pneumatic control valve that uses a needle valve to control the pressure at the pneumatic control valve. Based on the state of the needle valve, the rate of closure of the pneumatic control valve is controlled.
• a particular acceleration is selected and applied to the control valve such that rate of change of closure is substantially constant as the valve closes. While such systems can reduce droplets of excess fluid at the end of the dispense process, they can still allow some excess fluid to be deposited on the wafer.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of controlling fluid flow that eliminates, or at least substantially reduces, the shortcomings of prior art fluid flow control systems and methods.
• One embodiment of the present invention can include a controller that further comprises a processor, a computer readable memory and a set of computer instructions stored on the computer readable memory.
• the computer instructions can be executable by the processor to generate a flow control signal to close a fluid control valve based on a first close rate parameter for a first segment of a close range and generate a flow control signal to close a fluid control valve based on a second close rate parameter for a second segment of the close range.
• Another embodiment of the present invention can include a computer program product comprising a set of computer instructions stored on a computer readable memory.
• the set of computer instructions can comprise instructions executable to generate a flow control signal to close a fluid control valve based on a first close rate parameter for a first segment of the close range and to generate a flow control signal to close a fluid control valve based on a second close rate parameter for a second segment of the close range.
• Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a method of ending a dispense process comprising generating a flow control signal to close a fluid control valve based on a first close rate parameter for a first segment of a close range, detern ⁇ ig that a second close rate parameter should apply and generating the flow control signal to close the fluid control valve based on the second close rate parameter for a second segment of the close range.
• a controller further comprising a processor, a computer readable memory and a set of computer instructions stored on the computer readable memory.
• the computer instructions can comprise instructions executable by the processor to determine that a fluid control valve has closed and to generate a suckback control signal configured to cause a suckback valve to push a fluid to the end of a nozzle.
• Yet another embodiment of the present invention can comprise a computer program product comprising a set of computer instructions stored on a computer readable memory, executable by a computer processor, wherein the set of computer instructions comprise instructions executable to determine that a fluid control valve has closed and generate a suckback control signal configured to cause a suckback valve to push a fluid to the end of a nozzle.
• Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a method for a dispense process comprising determining that a fluid control valve has closed and generating a suckback control signal configured to cause a suckback valve to push a fluid to the end of a nozzle.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide an advantage over prior art systems and methods of ending dispense processes by closing a fluid control valve in such a manner that the Ukelihood that excess fluid drops will hit a wafer after the end of the dispense process is reduced.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide yet another advantage by reducing the crystallization of fluid droplets in a dispense nozzle after the dispense process has ended.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide another advantage by enabling a user to employ any number of techniques using the same set of computer instructions to resolve close control issues for any number of applications, including different flow rates, dispense system setups and dispense fluids.
• FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a fluid dispense system in which embodiments of the present invention can be implemented;
• FIGURE 2A illustrates one embodiment of an initial routine for an end-of-dispense process
• FIGURE 2B illustrates a mode selection routine according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIGURE 2C illustrates a method for closing a fluid control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIGURE 2D illustrates another embodiment of a method for closing a fluid control valve
• FIGURE 2E illustrates yet another embodiment of a method for closing a fluid control valve
• FIGURE 2F illustrates one embodiment of a method of controlling a suckback valve
• FIGURE 2G is a valve profile graph for a valve closing according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a dispense system
• FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of controller
• FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a control circuit for a controller.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods of controlling fluid dispense to ensure clean break off of fluid at the end of a dispense process and to reduce crystallization of fluid in the dispense nozzle.
• One embodiment of the present invention can include a controller that can generate a flow control signal according to a first close rate parameter to cause a control valve to close for a first segment of the close range and to generate the flow control signal according to a second
• FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a' fluid dispense system 10.
• Fluid dispense system 10 can include a fluid control device 12, flow monitor 14 in fluid communication with control device 12, a suckback device 16 in fluid communication with flow monitor 14, and a 0 nozzle 18 in fluid communication with suckback valve 16.
• the outlet of suckback valve 16 can lead to nozzle 18 for dispensing a liquid to a wafer or other object.
• a controller 20 can be coupled to flow rate monitor 14, fluid control device 12 and suckback device 16 by one or more signal lines.
• fluid control device 12 can include any proportional control valve.
• fluid control device 12 can include any fluid control valve in which the rate of closure can change based on changes in the flow control signal applied.
• the fluid control device can include a fluid control valve that regulates fluid flow and a proportional pneumatic control valve that regulates how quickly and how much the fluid control valve opens or closes.
• a fluid such as a Spin-On glass fluid, deionized water, photoresist, polyamide, developer, chemical mechanical polishing ("CMP") slurry or other fluid can flow through dispense system 10.
• Flow monitor 14 can measure fluid flow parameters that indicate flow rate (e.g., pressure differential across a restriction, pressure at a particular sensor or other parameter) and communicate the measurements to controller 20.
• Controller 20 according to one embodiment of the
• controller 20 can calculate the flow rate of the fluid and, based on the flow rate of the fluid, the amount of time necessary for a predetermined amount of the fluid to be dispensed.
• controller 20 can generate a flow control signal to cause fluid control device 12 to close.
• controller 20 can generate a suckback control signal to cause suckback device 16 to _5 push fluid into nozzle 18 or draw fluid up nozzle 18.
• the controller can be configured to generate the suckback control such that the suckback valve can push fluid to the end of the nozzle and then draw the fluid slowly back into the nozzle. By drawing fluid back into the nozzle at the appropriate speed, residual fluid droplets in the nozzle can be prevented.
• controller 20 can generate the suckback control signal to aid in ending the dispense process.
• the suckback device can be engage to begin sucking fluid up the nozzle if the fluid control device can not close quickly enough, thereby aiding in term ⁇ iating fluid flow to the wafer.
• Controller 20 can comprise a processor 22 such as a general purpose processor (e.g., a 8051 processor by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, California), a RISC processor (e.g., a PIC 18c452 processor by Microchip Technologies of Chandler,5 Arizona) or other processor, a computer readable memory 24 (e.g., RAM, ROM, magnetic storage, optical storage, Flash memory) accessible by the processor and computer instructions 25 stored on memory 24 that are executable by processor 22.
• a processor 22 such as a general purpose processor (e.g., a 8051 processor by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, California), a RISC processor (e.g., a PIC 18c452 processor by Microchip Technologies of Chandler,5 Arizona) or other processor, a computer readable memory 24 (e.g., RAM, ROM, magnetic storage, optical storage, Flash memory) accessible by the processor and computer instructions 25 stored on memory 24 that are executable by processor 22.
• a general purpose processor e.g., a 8051 processor by Intel
• controller 20 can execute computer executable instructions 25 to generate the flow control signal based on a first close rate parameter to cause control device 12 to close with a first rate of change of closure over a first segment of the valve close range of the flow control device and to generate the flow control signal to based on a second close rate parameter to cause flow control device to close over a second segment of the valve close range.
• the controller can switch from generating the flow control signal based on the first close rate parameter to generating the flow control signal based on the second close rate parameter at a break point.
• controller 20 can execute computer executable instructions 25 to generate the flow control signal based on a first close rate parameter to cause control device 12 to close with a first rate of change of closure over a first segment of the valve close range of the flow control device and to generate the flow control signal to based on a second close rate parameter to cause flow control device to close over a second segment of the valve close range.
• the controller can switch from generating the flow control signal based on the first close rate parameter to generating the flow control signal based
• FIGURES 2A-2F are flow charts illustrating various modes of operation for a controller for generating the flow control signal and suckback control signal, according to embodiments of the present invention.
• FIGURE 2G is a valve profile graph for an example valve closing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the processes of FIGURES 2A-2F can be implemented as computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable memory.
• the processes of 2A-2F can be implemented as subroutines of a larger control program, portions of the same program, modules of a program or according to any suitable programming architecture as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
• the controller when the controller running a control program determines that a dispense process should end, the controller can assert an interrupt and enter the end- of-dispense process. During the end-of-dispense process, the controller can generate a flow control signal to close the fluid control valve according to multiple close rate parameters and can generate the suckback control signal to cause fluid to be pushed into or drawn up a nozzle.
• FIGURE 2A illustrates one embodiment of an initial routine for an end-of-dispense process. At step 32, the controller can deteimine the current valve position for the fluid control valve.
• the current valve position will correspond to the valve position of the control valve during the dispense process and can be based on a setpoint (e.g., a flow rate set point) asserted to or stored by the controller for regulating the dispense process.
• the controller can further calculate a valve close break point.
• the break point can correspond to the valve position at which the controller will switch between generating a flow control signal based on a first close rate parameter and generating the flow control signal based on a second close rate parameter.
• the valve break point can be based on the valve close range (the current valve position determined at step 32 minus the close or idle valve position) and a predefined break point parameter.
• the break point parameter in one embodiment of the present invention, can be a percentage of the valve close range. As example, if the current valve position is 100 units, the end point is 10 units and the break point parameter is 20, the break point range value will be at 18 units (.20 * 90), relative to the valve end point. Since the end point for closing the valve is at 10 units, the break point can have a ! break point position value of 28 units. In other embodiments of the present invention, the break point can be a predefined value.
• the controller at step 36, can set a First_Segment Flag to True and return to a main control program to initiate a mode selection routine.
• the First_Segment Flag indicates that the fluid control valve is in the first segment of its close range.
• the First_Segement flag indicates whether the 3 flow control valve has closed far enough to reach the break point. If the controller has multiple modes of operation for the end-of-dispense process, the controller can enter a mode selection routine, such as that illustrated in FIGURE 2B. In the example of FIGURE 2B, the controller has five modes of operation.
• the mode of operation for a particular dispense process can be predefined, can be asserted by an administrative system in communication with 5 controller or can be established in any manner. In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller can repeat the process for a particular mode of operation until the fluid control valve is closed or until the end-of-dispense interrupt is no longer asserted.
• FIGURE 2C illustrates one embodiment of the operation of the controller under a first mode of operation (e.g., mode 1 from FIGURE 2B). For purposes of FIGURES 2C-2F, the close rate
• 10 parameter is an acceleration parameter that corresponds to the rate of change in the close rate acceleration.
• the controller at step 37, can determine a remaining close range for the valve. Continuing with the previous example in which the valve is initially at 100 units and has and endpoint of 10 units, the new range for the first iteration of mode 1 would be 90 units. In subsequent iterations, as will be discussed below, the remaining range can be equal to the
• the controller can determine if a First_Segment Flag is true and, if so, can generate the flow control signal based on a first acceleration factor.
• the value change i.e., the difference between the end point and valve position at the end of the iteration
• the controller can generate the flow control signal based on the second acceleration factor.
• the value change between the end point and the valve position will be the range determined at step 37 divided by the second acceleration factor (step 42).
• the controller can determine the new valve position (step 44) based on the value change for the iteration (i.e., the value determined at step 40 or step 42) and the valve end point or idle position. Again, continuing with the previous example in which the idle position is 10 units and the value change 9, the new valve position is 19 units at the end of the first iteration.
• the controller can determine if the new valve position is less than the break point position. If the new valve position is less than the break point position, the controller, at step 48, can set the First_Segment Flag to false. Otherwise, the controller can leave the First_Segment Flag as true.
• the new valve position is 19 units and the break point position is 28 units (from FIGURE 2A), so the First_Segment Flag will be changed to false.
• the controller can then exit I the routine of FIGURE 2C. If the end-of-dispense flag is still set after a particular iteration, the controller can again enter the routine of FIGURE 2C. The controller can continue iterating through the process of FIGURE 2C while the end-of-dispense flag is set.
• the range calculated at step 37 will be the new valve position calculated at step 44 of the previous iteration minus the endpoint (e.g., 19-10 or 9, 5 in the previous example). In this case the new range will equal the value change determined at step 40 or step 42 of the previous iteration.
• FIGURE 2D is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the operation of the controller under a ,5 second mode of operation (e.g., mode 2 from FIGURE 2B).
• the controller works in a similar manner as when the controller is in mode 1 except that in mode 2 the first acceleration factor is set such that flow control signal will cause the fluid control valve to close as quickly as possible until the break point is reached. After the break point is reached, the controller can generate the flow control signal according to a second acceleration factor such that the fluid control valve will close0 more slowly.
• the controller at step 50, can determine a remaining range of closure. If it is the first iteration, the remaining range will be the valve position determined at step 32 of FIGURE 2 A minus the end position of the valve. Additionally, the controller, at step 52, can determine if the First_Segment Flag is set to true.
• the controller can generate the flow control signal such that the fluid control valve will close as quickly as possible. Accordingly, the controller, at step 54, can determine a value change (i.e., the difference between the valve position at the end of the iteration and the end point) for a particular iteration based on the control valve closing as quickly as possible. If, conversely, the First_Segment Flag is false, the controller can generate the flow control signal based on the second acceleration factor. In this case, the value change will be the remaining close range divided by the second acceleration factor (step 56).
• a value change i.e., the difference between the valve position at the end of the iteration and the end point
• the controller at step 58, can then dete ⁇ nine the new position of the valve, which can equal the valve end point position plus the value change determined at step 54 or step 56.
• the controller can determine if the new position of the valve is less than the break point position and, if so, can set ) the First_Segment Flag to false (step 62). Otherwise, the controller can leave the First_Segment Flag as true. The controller can then exit the routine of FIGURE 2D. If the end-of-dispense flag is still set after a particular iteration, the controller can again enter the routine of FIGURE 2D.
• FIGURE 2E is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the operation of the controller under a third mode of operation (e.g., mode 3 from FIGURE 2B).
• mode 3 the controller works in a similar manner as when the controller is in mode 2, except that the controller will generate the flow control signal to close the fluid control valve according to a first acceleration factor for a first segment of the close range and will generate the flow control signal to close the valve as quickly as possible over a second segment of the close range.
• the controller at step 64 can determine a remaining range of closure.
• the controller can determine if the First_Segment Flag is set to true. If the First_Segment Flag is set to true, the controller can generate the flow control signal according to a first acceleration factor. In this case, the value change will be the remaining close range from step 64 divided by the first acceleration factor (step 68). If, however, the First_Segment Flag is false, the controller can generate the flow control signal based on the second acceleration factor that causes the fluid control valve to close as quickly as possible.
• the controller at step 70, can therefore determine a value change (i.e., the difference between the valve position at the end of the iteration and the end point) for a particular iteration in which the First_Segment Flag is false based on the control valve closing as quickly as possible.
• the controller at step 72, can then determine the new position of the valve, which can equal the valve end point position plus the value change determined at step 68 or step 70.
• the controller can determine if the new position of the valve is less than the break point position and, if so, can set the First_Segment Flag to false (step 76). Otherwise, the controller can leave the First_Segment Flag as true.
• the controller can then exit the routine of FIGURE 2D.
• the controller can again enter the routine of FIGURE 2D.
• the controller can continue iterating through the process of FIGURE 2D while the end-of-dispense flag is set until the difference between the new valve position determined at step 58 and the end position is below a particular value.
• the controller can generate a fluid control signal to close the fluid control valve as quickly as possible or according to a particular I acceleration factor.
• the fluid control valve can "slam shut" or close according to a particular acceleration factor.
• FIGURE 2F is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the operation of the controller under a fifth mode of operation (e.g., mode 5 from FIGURE 2B).
• the controller can generate a flow control signal to cause the fluid control 5 valve to close as quickly as possible (step 78).
• the controller can generate a suckback control signal to cause the suckback valve to push fluid into the dispense nozzle (step 82).
• the controller can be empirically calibrated for a particular system set up and fluid to generate the suckback control signal such that the suckback will push the fluid to the end
• the controller can then generate the suckback control signal to cause the suckback valve to draw the fluid back into the nozzle according to any suckback control scheme known in the art (step 84).
• the controller can be empirically calibrated to draw the fluid back into the nozzle slowly enough to prevent residual droplets forming in the nozzle. This calibration can be based, for example, on the dispense process setup, nozzle
• FIGURES 2A-2F were discussed in terms of separate software routines, the processes of FIGURES 2A-2F can be implemented as portions of the same program, modules of a program, objects or according to any suitable progranmiing language and architecture. It should be further noted that the controller can be configured to operate according to each of the ( 0 modes, all of the modes or any combination of the modes discussed in conjunction with FIGURES 2A-2F. Moreover, FIGURES 2A-2F are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the manner in which the controller can generate the flow control signal according to multiple acceleration factors.
• the close rate parameter in the examples of FIGURE 2C-2D is an acceleration factor that causes the rate of change of closing (i.e., the close rate acceleration) to change at different rates over the first segment and second segment of the close range
• embodiments of the present invention can also be configured such that the close rate parameter corresponds to a particular close rate.
• the fluid control valve can close according to a first close rate for a first segment of the close range and close with a second close rate for a second segment of the close rate.
• the close rate parameter can correspond to a particular rate of change in close rate (i.e., close rate acceleration), such that the valve can close with a first close rate acceleration for a first segment of the close rate and close with a second close rate acceleration for a second segment of the close rate.
• close rate acceleration a rate of change in close rate
• FIGURE 2G illustrates a valve close profile for an example valve closing according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• the x axis represents time and the y axis represents the pressure differential (measured in volts) detected by one or more pressure sensors.
• the pressure difference indicates the amount the fluid control valve has closed.
• the controller can determine, at point 85, that a dispense process should end.
• the controller can generate a flow control signal to close the flow control valve according to a first close rate parameter, resulting in the decrease in flow rate represented in the graph between point 85 and 86.
• the controller can generate the flow control signal based on a second close rate parameter.
• the controller can generate the flow control signal required to keep the flow control valve closed.
• embodiments of the present invention can generate a flow control signal according to various close rate parameters to cause a fluid control valve (such as that in fluid control device 12 of FIGURE 1).
• the controller can generate the flow control signal based on a first close rate parameter for a first segment of the close range (e.g., for a first range of closure of the fluid control valve) to cause a fluid control valve to close with a first close rate, close rate acceleration, or rate of change in close rate acceleration and can further generate the flow control signal based on a second close rate parameter for a second segment of the close range to cause the fluid control valve to close with a second close rate, close rate acceleration, or change close rate acceleration.
• the controller can switch between basing the flow control signal on the first close rate parameter and the second close rate parameter at a break point. It should be noted that the first close rate parameter, second close rate parameter and break point can be defined for a particular dispense process and system.
• Empirical testing and calibration can be used to determine the first close rate parameter, second close rate parameter and break point that reduce the potential for excess fluid being deposited on the wafer for the particular dispense process. It should be further noted that embodiments of the present invention can also apply additional close rate parameters.
• a controller can execute computer instructions to generate a fluid control signal based on a first close rate parameter for a first segment of the fluid control valve close range, generate the fluid control signal based on a second close rate parameter for a second segment of the close range of the fluid control valve and generate the fluid control signal based on a third close ) rate parameter for a third segment of the fluid control range and so on.
• the controller can automatically switch between generating the fluid control signal on the various close rate parameters at one or more predefined breakpoints.
• the controller can generate an arbitrarily complex closing profile for the fluid control valve.
• the controller can cause the suckback valve to assist in the end of dispense control to . determine the fluid height at the end of the dispense proces.
• FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a fluid control system in which embodiments of the present invention can be implemented.
• a fluid control device 90 is shown having a liquid inlet line 92 and a liquid outlet line 93 for ultimate dispensing of the liquid to a point of use, such as a substrate which can be a wafer (not shown).
• Fluid control device 90 can include a fluid control valve 94, such as that described in the Liquid Flow Control Application, and a pneumatic proportional control valve 96, pneumatically connected to fluid control valve 94.
• the liquid outlet line 93 is in fluid communication with a frictional flow element 97, such that all of the liquid exiting the fluid control device 90 enters the frictional flow element 97.
• a first pressure sensor 98 such as a pressure transducer, which can be integral with the fluid control device 90 housing, is positioned at or near the inlet of the frictional flow element 97 (such as at or near the outlet of the fluid control valve 94) to sense a first pressure
• a second pressure sensor 100 such as a pressure transducer is positioned at or near the outlet of the frictional flow element 97 to sense a second pressure.
• a single differential pressure sensing device could be used.
• the portion of the pressure sensor(s) that contact the fluid is preferably made of an inert material (with respect to the fluid used in the application) such as sapphire, or is coated with a material compatible with the fluids it contacts, such as perfluoropolymer.
• the sensors sense pressure and temperature in the fluid path, and send signals indicative of the sensed pressure and temperature to a controller.
• Each pressure sensor 98, 100 (or a single differential pressure sensing device) is in communication with a controller 102, such as a controller having proportional, integral and derivative (PID) feedback components.
• PID proportional, integral and derivative
• the controller 102 can compare the values and calculate a pressure drop across the frictional flow element 97. A signal from the controller 102 based on that pressure drop is sent to the pneumatic proportional control valve 96, which modulates the fluid control valve 94 accordingly, preferably after compensating for temperature, and/or viscosity and/or density.
• the system preferably is calibrated for the fluid being dispensed using a suitable fluid such as deionized water or isopropyl alcohol as a fluid standard.
• a suitable fluid such as deionized water or isopropyl alcohol
• the characteristics of the fluid to be dispensed are inputted or determined automatically, such as viscosity and density, so that the fluid to be dispensed can be compared to the standard and a relationship established. Based upon this relationship, the measured pressure drop (as optionally corrected for temperature, viscosity, etc.) across the frictional flow element, is correlated to a flow rate, compared to the desired or target flow rate, and the fluid control valve 94 is modulated accordingly by the pneumatic proportional control valve 96.
• a suckback device that preferably includes programmable proportional valve 104, is in communication with a proportional control valve (which can be the same or different from pneumatic proportional control valve 96) and is controlled by the controller (or by a different controller). It is actuated when fluid dispense is stopped or in transition, pushing fluid into the dispense nozzle, thereby reducing or eliminating the formation of undesirable droplets that could fall onto the wafer when the fluid dispense operation is interrupted, and drawing the fluid back from the dispense nozzle to minimize or prevent its exposure to atmosphere. The rate and extent of the suckback valve 104 opening and closing is controlled accordingly.
• the suckback valve 104 is located downstream of the fluid control valve 94.
• various fluid dispensing parameters can be controlled. For example, where the liquid to be dispensed is a low viscosity liquid, the fluid control valve 94 can be carefully modulated using pressure to ensure unifo ⁇ n dispensing of the liquid.
• the rate at which fluid control valve 94 closes can be regulated. By changing the rate of closure of fluid control valve 94, drops of excess fluid at the end of the dispense process can be reduced or prevented. Once the pressure-to-volume relationship of the particular fluid control valve 94 being used is characterized, unlimited flexibility can be obtained.
• FIGURE 3 is simply one embodiment of a dispense system in which embodiments of the present invention can be implemented.
• the fluid control device of FIGURE 3 e.g., fluid control valve 94 and proportional pneumatic control valve 96
• the fluid control signal can be based on one or more close rate parameters, as discussed in conjunction with FIGURES 2A-2E.
• the suckback control device can be responsive to a suckback control signal to push fluid into a dispense nozzle or draw fluid into the nozzle as described in conjunction with FIGURE 2F.
• FIGURE 4 is a block diagram that illustrates one embodiment of a controller 102 that can generate a fluid control signal to throttle/open a pneumatic proportional control valve (e.g., pneumatic proportional control valve 96 of FIGURE 3), which will in turn cause fluid control valve (e.g., fluid control valve 94 of FIGURE 3) to open or close.
• Controller 102 can include a power supply 105, a house keeping processor 106, a pressure circuit 108, an auxiliary function circuit 110, a control valve
• Control processor 120 can include flash memory 122 that can store a set of computer readable instructions 124 that are executable to generate a flow control signal based on pressure signals received from the pressure circuit.
• the flow control signal can be generated according to any scheme for generating valve control signals known or developed in the art.
• Various components of controller 102 can communicate through data bus 126.
• a supervisor unit 128 can monitor various functions of controller 102. It should be noted that while computer readable instructions 124 are shown as software at a single memory, computer readable instructions can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware instructions or in any suitable programming manner known in the art.
• power supply 105 can provide power to the various components of controller 102.
• Pressure circuit 108 can read pressures from upstream and downstream pressure sensors and provide an upstream and downstream pressure signal to control processor 120.
• Controller processor 120 can calculate a flow control signal based on the pressure signals received from pressure circuit 108 and control valve driver 112, in turn, can generate a drive signal based on the flow control signal.
• the generation of the flow control signal can occur according to the methodology discussed in the Liquid Flow Controller Application or according to any control signal generation scheme known in the art.
• the controller can generate the flow control signal based on various close rate parameters as discussed in conjunction with FIGURES 2A-2E.
• controller can generate a suckback control signal as discussed in conjunction with FIGURE 2F.
• the methodologies for generating the flow control signal and the suckback signal can be implemented as software, or other computer readable instructions (e.g., instructions 124), stored on a computer readable memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, FLASH, magnetic storage or other computer readable memory known in the art) accessible by control processor 120.
• house keeping processor 106 can be a general purpose processor that performs a variety of functions including directing communications with other devices or any other programmable function, known in the art.
• One example of general purpose processor is an Intel 8051 processor.
• Auxiliary function circuit 110 can interface with other devices.
• Suckback valve driver 114 can control a suckback valve (e.g., suckback valve 104 of FIGURE 1).
• Comport interface 116 and I/O circuit 118 can provide various means by which to communicate data to/from controller 102. Additional components can include a supervisor unit 2720 that can perform device monitoring functions known in the art, various eeproms or other memories, expansions ports or other computer components known in the art.
• FIGURE 5 is a block diagram that illustrates one embodiment of the control logic circuit of controller 102 that can generate a valve drive signal to throttle/open a proportional control valve. Several of the components of controller 102 are illustrated including control processor 120, comport interface 116 and supervisor unit 128. Additionally, an expansion port 130 is shown. Expansion port 130 can be used to add daughter boards to expand the functionality of controller 102.
• house keeping processor 106 is split into three portions: processing portion 132, memory device portion 134 and dual port RAM portion 136.
• Memory device portion 134 can include various memories including Flash Memory, RAM, EEPROM and other computer readable memories known in the art.
• Flash Memory One advantage of providing Flash Memory to house keeping processor 106 is that it allows easy downloads of firmware updates via, for example,
• memory device portion 134 can include fiinctionality for chip selections and address decoding. It should be noted that each of memory device portion 134, dual port RAM portion 136 and processing portion 132 can be embodied in a single processor. Control processor 120 and processing portion 132 of the house keeping processor can share data, in one embodiment of the present invention, through mutual access to dual port RAM portion 136. Control
• Control processor 120 can include flash memory 122 that can store a set of computer executable instructions 124 that are executable to generate a flow control signal based on pressure signals received from the pressure circuit according to the control scheme described in the Liquid Flow0 Controller Application. Additionally, control processor 120 can execute instructions 124 to generate a flow control signal according to various close rate parameters to cause a fluid control valve (such as fluid control valve 94 of FIGURE 3) to close.
• a fluid control valve such as fluid control valve 94 of FIGURE 3
• the controller can generate the flow control signal based on a first close rate parameter for a first segment of the close range and can further generate the flow control signal to cause the fluid control valve to close according to a second close rate parameter5 for a second segment of the close range.
• the controller can switch between basing the flow control signal on the first close rate parameter and the second close rate parameter at a break point.
• Control processor 120 can also execute instructions 124 to generate a suckback control signal configured to cause a suckback valve to push fluid to the end of a dispense nozzle and then draw the fluid back into the nozzle.
• a suckback control signal configured to cause a suckback valve to push fluid to the end of a dispense nozzle and then draw the fluid back into the nozzle.
• the fluid can absorb fluid droplets remaining in the nozzle.
• the fluid can then be drawn back into the nozzle to prevent air flow around the nozzle from causing crystallization of the fluid.
• the fluid can be drawn back slowly enough to prevent droplets of excess fluid from remaining in the nozzle.

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• 2004
  • 2004-02-13 US US10/779,009 patent/US7107128B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2005
  • 2005-02-05 TW TW94104062A patent/TWI399628B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-02-07 CN CNA2005800046269A patent/CN101160585A/zh active Pending
  • 2005-02-07 WO PCT/US2005/003709 patent/WO2005079235A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2005-02-07 JP JP2006553171A patent/JP4729504B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-02-07 SG SG200705755-7A patent/SG135178A1/en unknown
  • 2005-02-07 KR KR1020067015651A patent/KR101162390B1/ko not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-02-07 EP EP20050712955 patent/EP1725921A2/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2006
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• 2007
  • 2007-11-09 US US11/937,931 patent/US8082066B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2011
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