Inflatable compliant bladder assembly

• Main Authors: Stevens, Joe, Lakshmikanthan, Jayant
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.03.2002

The present invention provides a bladder assembly 130 for use in an electroplating cell 100. The bladder assembly 130 comprises a mounting plate 132, a bladder 136, and an annular manifold 146. One or more inlets 142 are formed in the mounting plate 146 and are coupled to a fluid source 138. The manifold 146 is adapted to be received in a recess 140 formed in the lower face of the mounting plate 132 and secures the bladder 136 thereto. Outlets 154 formed in the manifold 146 communicate with the inlets 142 to route a fluid from the fluid source 138 into the bladder 136 to inflate the same. A substrate 121 disposed on a contact ring 114 opposite the bladder 136 is thereby selectively biased toward a seating surface of the contact ring 119. A pumping system 159 coupled at the backside of the substrate 121 provides a pressure or vacuum condition.