Inflatable compliant bladder assembly

Abstract

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

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.