# US 10,870,183 B2 · Substrate processing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,183 B2 - Document ID: US10870183B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/471,023 - Filed: 2017-03-28 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Assignees: Ebara Corporation - Applicants: Ebara Corporation - Inventors: Hiroyuki Shinozaki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870183B2 ## CPC - B24B 57/02: for feeding of fluid, sprayed, pulverised, or liquefied grinding, polishing or lapping agents - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS ## Abstract Provided is a substrate processing apparatus that includes: a rotary joint including a rotary unit that rotates together with the rotation of the head unit, a fixing unit that is provided around the rotary unit, and a sealing unit that seals a gap between the rotary unit and the fixing unit; and an outlet pipe through which the quenching water is discharged. A first flow passage through which a gas passes and a second flow passage through which the quenching water passes are formed in the rotary joint, and the second flow passage is isolated from the first flow passage by the sealing unit. One end of the outlet pipe communicates with an outlet port of the second flow passage of the rotary joint, and the other end of the outlet pipe is opened to atmosphere at a position lower than the outlet port of the second flow passage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A substrate processing apparatus comprising: a rotary joint including a rotor configured to rotate together with the rotation of a top ring, a stator radially surrounding the rotor, a first seal configured to seal a gap between the rotor and the stator, a first flow passage embedded within rotor and configured to allow a gas to pass therethrough, and a second flow passage passing through the stator and configured to allow quenching water to pass therethrough, the second flow passage being isolated from the first flow passage by the first seal; and an outlet pipe configured to discharge the quenching water, and having a first end configured to communicate with an outlet port of the second flow passage of the rotary joint at one end and a second end opened to atmosphere at a position lower than the outlet port of the second flow passage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a branch pipe having an inlet port through which the quenching water is supplied and divided into a first branch portion and a second branch portion, wherein an end of the first branch portion communicates with an inlet port of the second flow passage of the rotary joint and an opening of the second branch portion is opened to the atmosphere at a position higher than the inlet port of the second flow passage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second branch portion extends in a direction lower than the inlet port of the second flow passage and then upwardly extends, and the opening of the second branch portion is opened to the atmosphere. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 3, wherein a height difference from the outlet port of the second flow passage of the rotary joint to the opening of the outlet pipe and the pressure of the quenching water flowing into the branch pipe are adjusted such that a height of a liquid surface of the quenching water in the second branch portion is maintained to be lower than the inlet port of the second flow passage regardless of a predetermined pressure fluctuation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein a height difference between the opening of the second branch portion and the inlet port of the second flow passage is determined based on a limit pressure that limits the pressure of the quenching water supplied to the second flow passage. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second branch portion has transparency. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a drain board disposed to receive the quenching water leaking from the opening of the second branch portion, and having an outlet port that discharges the received quenching water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a drain board disposed to receive the quenching water leaking from the opening of the second branch portion and having an outlet port that discharges the received quenching water; and a connection pipe having one end which communicates with the outlet port of the drain board and the other end communicates with the outlet pipe, wherein a height of the outlet port of the drain board is determined based on the suction pressure of the quenching water. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height difference between the outlet port of the second flow passage of the rotary joint and the other end of the outlet pipe is determined based on a suction pressure of the quenching water. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the rotary joint further includes a second seal that seals a gap between the quenching water and the atmosphere and a drain flow passage isolated from the second flow passage and having an outlet port opened to the atmosphere is formed by the second seal, and the drain board is also disposed to receive the quenching water leaking from the outlet port of the drain flow passage. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary joint further includes a second seal that seals a gap between the quenching water and the atmosphere and a drain flow passage isolated from the second flow passage and having an outlet port opened to the atmosphere is formed by the second seal, and the substrate processing apparatus further includes: a drain board disposed to receive the quenching water leaking from the opening of the second branch portion and having an outlet port that discharges the received quenching water; and a connection pipe having one end which communicates with the outlet port of the drain board and the other end communicates with the outlet pipe, wherein a height of the outlet port of the drain board is determined based on the suction pressure of the quenching water. ### Claim 12 A substrate processing apparatus comprising: a rotary joint including a rotor configured to rotate together with the rotation of a top ring, a stator radially surrounding the rotor, a seal configured to seal a gap between the rotor and the stator, a first flow passage embedded within the rotor and configured to allow a gas to pass therethrough, and a second flow passage passing through the stator and configured to allow quenching water to pass therethrough, the second flow passage being isolated from the first flow passage by the seal; and a branch pipe having an inlet port through which the quenching water is supplied and divided into a first branch portion and a second branch portion, wherein an end of the first branch portion communicates with an inlet port of the second flow passage of the rotary joint and an opening of the second branch portion is opened to the atmosphere at a position higher than the inlet port of the second flow passage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein a height difference between the opening of the second branch portion and the inlet port of the second flow passage is determined based on a limit pressure that is limited when the quenching water is supplied. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second branch portion extends in a direction higher than the inlet port of the second flow passage and then downwardly extends. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The substrate processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein a height difference between the highest position of the second branch portion and the inlet port of the second flow passage is determined based on an allowable pressure of the quenching water that is allowed for supply to the second flow passage, and a height difference between the opening of the second branch portion and the inlet port of the second flow passage is determined based on the limit pressure maintained when a pressure of the quenching water exceeds the allowable pressure.