Electrostatic charge removal for solar cell grippers

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9202734
APP PUB NO 20150249030A1
SERIAL NO

14714645

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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A manufacturing system includes a gantry module, having an end effector, for moving workpieces from a conveyor system to a working area, such as a swap module. The swap module removes a matrix of processed workpieces from a load lock and place a matrix of unprocessed workpieces in its place. The processed workpieces are then moved by the gantry module back to the conveyor. Due to the speed of operation, the end effector may build up excessive electrostatic charge. To remove this built up charge, grounded electrically-conductive brushes are strategically positioned so that, as the end effector moves during normal operation, it comes in contact with these brushes. This removes this built up charge on the end effector, without affecting throughput. In another embodiment, the end effector moves over the brushes while the swap module is moving matrix to and from the load lock.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Schaller, Jason Austin, US 12 188
Vopat, Robert Brent Austin, US 31 708

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