Conveyors: fluid current – Having means for maintaining load in suspension along flow path – By load supporting jets
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-20
2001-06-05
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: fluid current
Having means for maintaining load in suspension along flow path
By load supporting jets
C406S093000, C406S134000, C414S935000, C414S939000, C414S217000, C134S06400P, C134S12200P, C134S184000, C134S199000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241427
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of this invention relate generally to the transport of objects between various manufacturing process steps, and in particular embodiments to methods for the substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport of objects between manufacturing process steps, and systems incorporating the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Modern manufacturing methods often require a number of processing steps to be performed on an object to transform or prepare the object into a finished product. Even after the object has been fabricated, cleaning steps may be required to remove residue and contaminants such as particulates, organics, and inorganics collected during processing. For example, in conventional magnetic recording media processing techniques a slurry is applied to texture the surface of the magnetic media. This slurry must subsequently be removed, often by mechanically scrubbing the magnetic recording media using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) rollers. Several cleaning steps may be required, because magnetic recording media often requires particle removal efficiencies as small as 0.3 microns, and inorganic/organic particulate levels as low as 1×10
10
atoms/cm
2
.
Careful handling is essential as these fragile objects are transported between process steps. Conventional techniques employed for transporting delicate objects such as semiconductor wafers and magnetic recording media between process stations may require both mechanical and human intervention. This intervention creates a number of potential problems. Once the object completes a processing step, it is loaded into a transportation cassette, carried by process operators to the next processing station, and unloaded from the cassette. Such techniques increase the chance of frictional wear and damage to the object as it comes into contact with the cassettes and human hands, and increases the chance of breakage of the object due to dropping or other mishandling. Contaminants may also be introduced during the handling and transportation process. No processing steps can be performed during the manual transportation process, making it a non-value-added manufacturing step. Manual transportation techniques also may be slower due to the lack of automation and required human intervention, and may be costlier due to the employment of process operators.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
Therefore, it is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system and method for the substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport of objects between manufacturing process steps to minimize frictional wear and damage to the object. Touchless, as defined herein, is the absence of contact with solid surfaces.
It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system and method for the substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport of objects between manufacturing process steps to minimize the chance of breakage of the object due to dropping or other mishandling.
It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system and method for the substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport of objects between manufacturing process steps to minimize the introduction of contaminants.
It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system and method for the substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport of objects between manufacturing process steps wherein additional process steps can be performed during the substantially touchless transportation process.
It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system and method for the substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport of objects between manufacturing process steps to increase the speed and efficiency of the manufacturing process while decreasing its costs by automating the transport process.
These and other objects are accomplished according to a substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport chute. Each substantially touchless hydrodynamic transport chute includes a transfer slot formed between two walls. Formed in the walls and directed into the transfer slot are support nozzles angled towards the output side of the transfer slot for creating fluid flow and fluid bearings in the transfer slot and urging objects through the transfer slot. In addition, induction nozzles are formed in the walls near the input side of the transfer slot for inducing objects into the input side of the transfer slot. A base supports the first and second walls and is grooved in substantial alignment with the transfer slot for receiving and bottom-centering objects in the transfer slot.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when read with the drawings and appended claims.
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Darrow David Craig
Hessburg Merilly Ann
Lindsley Timothy John
Sheffield John Edgar
Ellis Christopher P.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Seagate Technology Inc.
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