HIGH PERFORMANCE HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A heat exchanger including a shell, and a gyroid structure comprising a first plurality of holes forming a first fluid path and a second plurality of holes forming a second fluid path, where the first fluid path and the second fluid path are mutually sealed off, where the first plurality of holes is configured to pass a coolant through the first fluid path of the heat exchanger, and where the second plurality of holes is configured to pass a plating chemistry fluid through the second fluid path of the heat exchanger. Further, a method of exchanging heat in the electroplating apparatus including passing the coolant through the first plurality of holes of the first fluid path from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet and passing the plating chemistry fluid through the second plurality of holes of the second fluid path from the plating inlet to the plating outlet.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a shell; and a gyroid structure comprising a first plurality of holes forming a first fluid path and a second plurality of holes forming a second fluid path, wherein the first fluid path and the second fluid path are mutually sealed off, wherein the first plurality of holes is configured to pass a coolant through the first fluid path of the heat exchanger, and wherein the second plurality of holes is configured to pass a plating chemistry fluid through the second fluid path of the heat exchanger.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a material of the gyroid structure comprises Tungsten.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a material of the gyroid structure comprises Tantalum.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a material of the gyroid structure comprises Zirconium.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein each hole of the first plurality of holes has a first diameter.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein each hole of the second plurality of holes has a second diameter.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the coolant passes through the first plurality of holes of the first fluid path from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the coolant inlet is disposed on one side of the shell, and wherein the coolant outlet is disposed on another side of the shell.

10. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are disposed on a same side of the shell.

11. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are flush with the same side of the shell.

12. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the plating chemistry fluid passes through the second plurality of holes of the second fluid path from a plating inlet to a plating outlet.

13. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the plating inlet is disposed on a top side of the shell, and wherein the plating outlet is disposed on a bottom side of the shell.

14. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the plating inlet and the plating outlet are disposed at a same angle.

15. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the shell is cylindrical.

16. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the shell is a rectangular prism.

17. A method of exchanging heat in an electroplating apparatus with a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising a shell, a gyroid structure comprising a material and including a first plurality of holes forming a first fluid path and a second plurality of holes forming a second fluid path, a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, a plating inlet, and a plating outlet, wherein the first fluid path and the second fluid path are mutually sealed off, wherein one or more holes of the second plurality of holes disposed at the coolant inlet are blocked with the material, and wherein one or more holes of the first plurality of holes disposed at the plating inlet are blocked with the material; the method comprising exchanging heat between a coolant and a plating chemistry fluid by: passing the coolant through the first plurality of holes of the first fluid path from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet; and passing the plating chemistry fluid through the second plurality of holes of the second fluid path from the plating inlet to the plating outlet.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the material is Tungsten.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the material is Tantalum.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the material is Zirconium.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the shell and the gyroid structure are made of a same material in a common three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing operation.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is an example heat exchanger, in accordance with the present technology;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of example flow paths of an example heat exchanger, in accordance with the present technology;

[0018] FIG. 3A is a closeup diagram of an example coolant inlet, in accordance with the present technology;

[0019] FIG. 3B is a closeup diagram of an example plating chemistry inlet, in accordance with the present technology;

[0020] FIGS. 4A-4C are example heat exchangers, in accordance with the present technology; and

[0021] FIG. 5 is an example method of using a heat exchanger, in accordance with the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Disclosed herein is a high-performance heat exchanger including a shell containing a gyroid structure. A gyroid is an infinitely connected triply periodic minimal surface, having a high surface area. In some embodiments, the gyroid structure includes a first plurality of holes forming a first fluid path and a second plurality of holes forming a second fluid path. In some embodiments, the first fluid path and the second fluid path are mutually exclusive to one another (i.e., sealed against each other). In this manner, a coolant is passed through the first fluid path and a plating chemistry is passed through the second fluid path. In this manner, the plating chemistry can be cooled.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an example heat exchanger 100, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 100 includes a shell 105 and a gyroid structure 110.

[0024] The gyroid structure 110, which is a shape having a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) features a high surface-to-volume ratio that results in highly efficient heat transfer. This gyroid structure allows for the heat exchanger 100 to be more compact than conventional Ti heat exchangers. A gyroid structure may be represented by Equation 1:

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\sin x\cos y+\sin y\cos z+\sin z\cos x=0& \mathrm{Equation}1\end{array}$

[0025] In some embodiments, the gyroid structure 110 is three-dimensionally (3D) printed. 3D printing allows for complex geometry, such as the gyroid structure 110 to be printed in a material such as Tungsten. In some embodiments, the gyroid structure 110 is made of Tungsten. Tungsten has a conductivity of 173 W/m K, which is 10 times that of Ti (having a conductivity of 17 W/m K). Tungsten also possesses a high chemical compatibility with high temperature plating chemistries. In some embodiments, the gyroid structure 110 is made of Tungsten, Tantalum, Zirconium, or a combination thereof. Tantalum and Zirconium are also chemically compatible with plating chemistries such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acids.

[0026] In some embodiments, the gyroid structure 110 has a first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N and a second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N. In some embodiments, the first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N are mutually connected to form a first fluid pathway, and the second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N are mutually connect to form a second fluid pathway, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, a coolant is passed through the first fluid pathway, and a plating chemistry fluid is passed through the second fluid pathway.

[0027] The shell 105 may include a top side T, a bottom side B opposite the top side T, a left side L, perpendicular to the top side T, and a right side R, opposite the left side L. In some embodiments, the shell further includes a coolant inlet 125, a coolant outlet 130, a plating inlet 135 and a plating outlet 140.

[0028] In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 is disposed on the right side R of the shell 105, while the coolant outlet 130 is disposed on a left side L of the shell 105. In such embodiments, a coolant passes through the first fluid pathway formed by the first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N from left to right. In other embodiments, the coolant outlet 130 may be located on the right side R of the shell 105, while the coolant inlet 125 is located on the left side L of the shell 105. In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 and the coolant outlet 130 protrude from the shell 105, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] In some embodiments, the plating inlet 135 is located on the top side T of the shell 105, while the plating outlet 140 is located on the bottom side B of the shell 110. In such embodiments, the plating chemistry passes through the second fluid pathway formed by the second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N from top to bottom.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of example fluid pathways of an example heat exchanger 100, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the plating chemistry passes through a second fluid pathway through the second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N, as shown by the unbroken arrows in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the coolant passes through a first fluid pathway through the first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N as shown by the dashed lines and arrows.

[0031] As shown, in some embodiments, the coolant flows from right (right side R) to left (left side L) from the coolant inlet 125 to the coolant outlet 130. In some embodiments, the plating chemistry flows from top (top side T) to bottom (bottom side B) from the plating inlet 135 to the plating outlet 140.

[0032] FIG. 3A is a closeup diagram of an example coolant inlet 125, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 provides access to only the first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N, and thus only the first fluid pathway. In some embodiments, the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway are mutually sealed off, that is, coolant in the first fluid pathway and plating chemistry in the second fluid pathway do not come into contact with one another, or otherwise contaminate the other fluid pathway.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway are mutually sealed off with material M. In such embodiments, material M may seal the second fluid pathway at the coolant inlet 125 (i.e., by blocking one or more holes H1 of the second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N). In some embodiments, material M is the same material as the one that makes up the shell 105. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the material M is Tungsten, Tantalum, Zirconium, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the material M is applied by three-dimensional (3D) printing.

[0034] FIG. 3B is a closeup diagram of an example plating inlet 135, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the plating inlet 135 provides access to only the second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N, and thus only the second fluid pathway. The first fluid pathway that is defined by the first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N and the second fluid pathway that is defined by the second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N are mutually sealed off, that is, coolant in the first fluid pathway and plating chemistry in the second fluid pathway do not come into contact with one another, or otherwise contaminate the other fluid pathway.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway are mutually sealed off with material M at least some of the holes 115 and 120. In such embodiments, material M may seal the first fluid pathway at the plating inlet 135 (i.e., by blocking one or more holes H1, H2 of the first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N) In some embodiments, material M is the same material that makes up the shell 105. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the material M is Tungsten, Tantalum, Zirconium, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the shell 105 and the gyroid structure 110 can be 3D printed during a same (common) manufacturing process using a material such as Tungsten.

[0036] FIGS. 4A-4C are example heat exchangers 100, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes a shell 105, a top side T, a bottom side B, opposite the top side T, a left side L perpendicular to the top side T, and a right side R opposite the left side L. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 100 includes a coolant inlet 125, a coolant outlet 130, a plating inlet 135, and a plating outlet 140.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 4A, the plating inlet 135 and the plating outlet 140 are disposed at a same angle A. In some embodiments, the plating inlet 135 and the plating outlet 140 are cylindrical. In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 and the coolant outlet 130 are located on opposite sides of the heat exchanger 100 (i.e., the right side R and the left side L, respectively). In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 and the coolant outlet 130 have a half-sphere-shaped base and are cylindrical.

[0038] FIG. 4B is an example heat exchanger 100 where the shell 105 is a rectangular prism. In some embodiments, the top side T, the bottom side B, the left side L and the right side R have substantially a same width. In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 and the coolant outlet 130 have a pyramid shaped base and are cylindrical.

[0039] FIG. 4C is an example heat exchanger 100 where the shell 105 is a rectangular prism. In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 and the coolant outlet 130 are disposed on a same side (the left side L, in FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, the coolant inlet 125 and the coolant outlet 130 are flush with the same side of the shell.

[0040] FIG. 5 is an example method 500 of using a heat exchanger (such as heat exchanger 100), in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the method 500 is carried out by a heat exchanger having a shell (such as shell 105), a top side (such as top side T), a bottom side (such as bottom side B), opposite the top side, a left side (such as left side L) perpendicular to the top side, and a right side (such as right side R) opposite the left side. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger further includes a gyroid structure (such as gyroid structure 110) having a first plurality of holes (such as first plurality of holes 115A, 115B, 115C . . . 115N) forming a first fluid path (as shown in FIG. 2) and a second plurality of holes (such as second plurality of holes 120A, 120B, 120C . . . 120N), forming a second fluid path (as shown in FIG. 2) where the first fluid path and the second fluid path are mutually sealed off, where the first plurality of holes is configured to pass a coolant through the first fluid path of the heat exchanger, and where the second plurality of holes is configured to pass a plating chemistry fluid through the second fluid path of the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes a coolant inlet (such as coolant inlet 125), a coolant outlet (such as coolant outlet 130), a plating inlet (such as plating inlet 135), and a plating outlet (such as plating outlet 140). In some embodiments, one or more holes (such as one or more holes H1) of the second plurality of holes disposed at the coolant inlet are blocked with a material (such as material M), and where one or more holes (such as one or more holes H1, H2) of the first plurality of holes disposed at the plating inlet are blocked with the material M.

[0041] In block 505, coolant is passed through the first plurality of holes from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet. In some embodiments, the coolant is passed from the right side of the heat exchanger to the left side of the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the material blocking the one or more holes of the second plurality of holes prevents the coolant from contaminating the plating chemistry.

[0042] In block 510, plating chemistry is passed through the second plurality of holes from the plating inlet to the plating outlet. In some embodiments, the plating chemistry is passed from the top side of the heat exchanger to the bottom side of the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the material blocking the one or more holes of the first plurality of holes prevents the plating chemistry from contaminating the coolant.

[0043] In some embodiments, block 505 and block 510 happen simultaneously. In some embodiments, by passing the coolant and the plating chemistry through the first fluid channel and the second coolant channel, respectively, cools the plating chemistry to a temperature suitable for electroplating, thereby preventing the contamination of the bath and/or wafer defects as described herein. Further, if the shell of the heat exchanger comprises a material selected from Tungsten, Tantalum, Zirconium, or a combination thereof, Titanium dissolution can also be prevented.

[0044] It should be understood that method 500 should be interpreted as merely representative. In some embodiments, process blocks of method 500 may be performed simultaneously, sequentially, in a different order, or even omitted, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0045] While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0046] The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but representative of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also, in this regard, the present application may use the term plurality to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term plurality is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms about, approximately, near, etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C, for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

[0047] Embodiments disclosed herein may utilize circuitry in order to implement technologies and methodologies described herein, operatively connect two or more components, generate information, determine operation conditions, control an appliance, device, or method, and/or the like. Circuitry of any type can be used. In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof.

[0048] An embodiment includes one or more data stores that, for example, store instructions or data. Non-limiting examples of one or more data stores include volatile memory (e.g., Random Access memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access memory (DRAM), or the like), non-volatile memory (e.g., Read-Only memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only memory (EEPROM), Compact Disc Read-Only memory (CD-ROM), or the like), persistent memory, or the like. Further non-limiting examples of one or more data stores include Erasable Programmable Read-Only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or the like. The one or more data stores can be connected to, for example, one or more computing devices by one or more instructions, data, or power buses.

[0049] In an embodiment, circuitry includes a computer-readable media drive or memory slot configured to accept signal-bearing medium (e.g., computer-readable memory media, computer-readable recording media, or the like). In an embodiment, a program for causing a system to execute any of the disclosed methods can be stored on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium (CRMM), a signal-bearing medium, or the like. Non-limiting examples of signal-bearing media include a recordable type medium such as any form of flash memory, magnetic tape, floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), Blu-Ray Disc, a digital tape, a computer memory, or the like, as well as transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transceiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.). Further non-limiting examples of signal-bearing media include, but are not limited to, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-ROM, Super Audio CD, CD-R, CD+R, CD+RW, CD-RW, Video Compact Discs, Super Video Discs, flash memory, magnetic tape, magneto-optic disk, MINIDISC, non-volatile memory card, EEPROM, optical disk, optical storage, RAM, ROM, system memory, web server, or the like.

[0050] The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result. Generally, the embodiments disclosed herein are non-limiting, and the inventors contemplate that other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may include structures and functionalities from more than one specific embodiment shown in the figures and described in the specification.

[0051] In the foregoing description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.

[0052] The present application may include references to directions, such as vertical, horizontal, front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are intended to assist in helping describe and understand the particular embodiment (such as when the embodiment is positioned for use) and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations.

[0053] The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also, in this regard, the present application may use the term plurality to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term plurality is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The term about, approximately, etc., means plus or minus 5% of the stated value. The term based upon means based at least partially upon.

[0054] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.