Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide pumps with features to reduce form factor and increase reliability and serviceability. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide features for gentle fluid handling characteristics. Embodiments of the present invention can include a pump having onboard electronics and features to prevent heat from the onboard electronics from degrading process fluid or otherwise negatively impacting pump performance. Embodiments may also include features for reducing the likelihood that fluid will enter an electronics housing.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and computer program product for reducing the hold-up volume of a pump. More particularly, embodiments of the invention can determine, prior to dispensing a fluid, a position for a diaphragm in a chamber to reduce a hold-up volume at a dispense pump and/or a feed pump. This variable home position of the diaphragm can be determined based on a set of factors affecting a dispense operation. Example factors may include a dispense volume and an error volume. The home position for the diaphragm can be selected such that the volume of the chamber at the dispense pump and/or feed pump contains sufficient fluid to perform the various steps of a dispense cycle while minimizing the hold-up volume. Additionally, the home position of the diaphragm can be selected to optimize the effective range of positive displacement.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide pumps with features to reduce form factor and increase reliability and serviceability. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide features for gentle fluid handling characteristics. Embodiments of the present invention can include a pump having onboard electronics and features to prevent heat from the onboard electronics from degrading process fluid or otherwise negatively impacting pump performance. Embodiments may also include features for reducing the likelihood that fluid will enter an electronics housing.
Abstract:
A pumping system with a pressure sensor positioned on the fill side and a pressure sensor on the dispense side to obtain and provide pressure information that can be used by a controller in determining various operating profiles. To avoid trapping air in a process fluid, a pressure sensor can be flush mounted or mounted at an angle on the sidewall of a feed chamber, a bottle, or a reservoir tank at or near the bottom or half-height. The pressure information obtained from the fill side can have many beneficial including filtration confirmation, air detection, and reduced pressure priming of a filter. The pumping system may further include a graphical user interface for displaying the operating profiles and various associated alarms in real time.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide I/O systems, methods, and devices for interfacing pump controller(s) with control device(s) which may have different interfaces and/or signaling formats. In one embodiment, an I/O interface module comprises a processor, a memory, and at least two data communications interfaces for communicating with a pumping controller and a control device. The I/O interface module can receive discrete signals from the control device, interpret them accordingly and send the packets to the pump controller. The pump controller reads the packets and takes appropriate actions at the pump. The I/O interface module can interpret packets of data received from the pump controller and assert corresponding discrete signals to the control device. The I/O interface module is customizable and allows a variety of interfaces and control schemes to be implemented with a particular multiple stage pump without changing the hardware of the pump.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and computer program product for reducing the hold-up volume of a pump. More particularly, embodiments of the invention can determine, prior to dispensing a fluid, a position for a diaphragm in a chamber to reduce a hold-up volume at a dispense pump and/or a feed pump. This variable home position of the diaphragm can be determined based on a set of factors affecting a dispense operation. Example factors may include a dispense volume and an error volume. The home position for the diaphragm can be selected such that the volume of the chamber at the dispense pump and/or feed pump contains sufficient fluid to perform the various steps of a dispense cycle while minimizing the hold-up volume. Additionally, the home position of the diaphragm can be selected to optimize the effective range of positive displacement.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for maintaining substantially a baseline pressure in a chamber of a pumping apparatus are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention may serve to control a motor to compensate or account for a pressure drift which may occur in a chamber of the pumping apparatus. More specifically, a dispense motor may be controlled to substantially maintain a baseline pressure in the dispense chamber before a dispense based on a pressure sensed in the dispense chamber. In one embodiment, before a dispense is initiated a control loop may be utilized such that it is repeatedly determined if the pressure in the dispense chamber is above a desired pressure and, if so, the movement of the pumping means regulated to maintain substantially the desired pressure in the dispense chamber until a dispense of fluid is initiated.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for maintaining substantially a baseline pressure in a chamber of a pumping apparatus are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention may serve to control a motor to compensate or account for a pressure drift which may occur in a chamber of the pumping apparatus. More specifically, a dispense motor may be controlled to substantially maintain a baseline pressure in the dispense chamber before a dispense based on a pressure sensed in the dispense chamber. In one embodiment, before a dispense is initiated a control loop may be utilized such that it is repeatedly determined if the pressure in the dispense chamber is above a desired pressure and, if so, the movement of the pumping means regulated to maintain substantially the desired pressure in the dispense chamber until a dispense of fluid is initiated.
Abstract:
Backlash in a precision system such as a pumping system can be reduced or eliminated with an anti-backlash device that has a first nut coupled to and fixed in relation to a piston. The first nut and a second nut may engage with a lead screw of a motor driving the piston. Relative rotation between the first and second nuts are limited or prevented. A biasing member maintains a spaced relationship between the first and second nuts along the lead screw such that the first nut remains in engagement with the lead screw to thereby reduce or eliminate backlash when the lead screw is rotated by the motor.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a brushless DC motor (BLDCM) to drive a single-stage or a multi-stage pump in a pumping system for real time, smooth motion, and extremely precise and repeatable position control over fluid movements and dispense amounts, useful in semiconductor manufacturing. The BLDCM may employ a position sensor for real time position feedback to a processor executing a custom field-oriented control scheme. Embodiments of the invention can reduce heat generation without undesirably compromising the precise position control of the dispense pump by increasing and decreasing, via a custom control scheme, the operating frequency of the BLDCM according to the criticality of the underlying function(s). The control scheme can run the BLDCM at very low speeds while maintaining a constant velocity, which enables the pumping system to operate in a wide range of speeds with minimal variation, substantially increasing dispense performance and operation capabilities.