Apparatus and method for regulating fluid flows, such as flows of electrochemical processing fluids

• Main Author: PEACE STEVEN L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.11.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: APPARATUS THEREFOR; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CHEMISTRY; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; ELECTROFORMING; ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; METALLURGY; PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTIONOF COATINGS; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

A method and apparatus for regulating fluid flows, such as flows of electrochemical processing fluids for processing microelectronic workpieces. The apparatus includes a valve body having an entrance port, an exit port, and a flow passage between the entrance and exit ports through which a first fluid flows. The valve body further includes a pressure chamber coupleable to a second fluid source and at least partially isolated from the flow passage. A regulator, movably disposed in the flow passage to change a flow area of the flow passage, has a first surface with a first projected area and a second surface with a second, larger, projected area, both of which are operatively coupled to the first fluid. A third surface of the regulator is operatively coupled to the second fluid. The regulator can adjust its position to maintain a constant or nearly constant first fluid flow rate as the fluid pressure at the entrance port changes.