Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100025885 | Method and Apparatus for the Production of Crystalline Silicon Substrates - An apparatus and method for producing a crystalline ribbon continuously from a melt pool of liquid feed material, e.g. silicon. The silicon is melted and flowed into a growth tray to provide a melt pool of liquid silicon. Heat is passively extracted by allowing heat to flow from the melt pool up through a chimney. Heat is simultaneously applied to the growth tray to keep the silicon in its liquid phase while heat loss is occurring through the chimney. A template is placed in contact with the melt pool as heat is lost through the chimney so that the silicon starts to “freeze” (i.e. solidify) and adheres to the template. The template is then pulled from the melt pool thereby producing a continuous ribbon of crystalline silicon. | 02-04-2010 |
20100050393 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE FOR AN INERT GAS REBREATHER USED IN FURNACE OPERATIONS - This invention relates to an apparatus and a method of use for an inert gas rebreather used in furnace operations, such as melting and/or casting high purity silicon for solar cells and solar modules. The apparatus includes a process chamber, a reservoir in fluid communication with the process chamber, and a motive force device in fluid communication with the process chamber and the reservoir. Recycling or reusing the inert gas reduces operating expenses of the casting process while maintaining low impurity levels in the cast silicon. | 03-04-2010 |
20100051108 | System and Method for Liquid Silicon Containment - This invention relates to a system and a method for liquid silicon containment, such as during the casting of high purity silicon used in solar cells or solar modules. The containment apparatus includes a shielding member adapted to prevent breaching molten silicon from contacting structural elements or cooling elements of a casting device, and a volume adapted to hold a quantity of breaching molten silicon with the volume formed by a bottom and one or more sides. | 03-04-2010 |
20100051601 | CARTRIDGE HEATER AND METHOD OF USE - This invention relates to an electric cartridge heater and a method of operation, suitable for use in producing high purity silicon in solar cells or solar modules. The apparatus includes a single-piece elongated heater bar having a length, a first end, and a second end. The apparatus also includes a slot beginning at the first end and running a portion of the length, and the slot dividing the heater bar into a first arm and a second arm. An elbow at the second end joins the first arm and the second arm together. The apparatus also includes a first electrode in electrical communication with the first arm, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the second arm. | 03-04-2010 |
20100052218 | Gas Recirculation Heat Exchanger For Casting Silicon - This invention relates to a system and a method of use for a gas recirculation heat exchanger to cast high purity silicon and/or grow crystals. The heat exchanger includes a hot surface for thermal contact with a crucible along with an inlet for flowing a gas to the heat exchanger and an outlet for flowing the gas from the heat exchanger. The exchanger also includes a baffle dividing the inlet from the outlet and for directing at least a portion of the gas over the hot surface, and a recirculation system adapted to cool the gas and return the gas to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can be easily tailored to local cooling needs. | 03-04-2010 |
20100061916 | High Temperature Support Apparatus and Method of Use for Casting Materials - This invention relates to a system and a method of use for large ceramic member support and manipulation at elevated temperatures in non-oxidizing atmospheres, such as using carbon-carbon composite materials for producing high purity silicon in the manufacture of solar modules. The high temperature apparatus of this invention includes one or more support ribs, one or more cross braces in combination with the one or more support ribs, and a shaped support liner positionable upon the one or more support ribs and the one or more cross braces. | 03-11-2010 |
20100148403 | Systems and Methods For Manufacturing Cast Silicon - Apparatus and methods are provided for manufacturing cast silicon. The systems and methods include a plurality of inductive coils configured to form a space to contain molten silicon, and configured to generate an electromagnetic field when an electrical current is supplied to the inductive coils to support the molten silicon so that a gap is maintained in a portion of the space between at least one substantially vertical wall of the molten silicon and at least one of the inductive coils, and when a portion of the molten silicon solidifies into a solid silicon ingot as the molten silicon is cooled by the cooling device, a concave liquid/solid interface is formed between the molten silicon and the solid silicon ingot. | 06-17-2010 |
20100197070 | Methods and Apparatuses for Manufacturing Cast Silicon From Seed Crystals - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 08-05-2010 |
20100203350 | Methods and Apparatuses for Manufacturing Cast Silicon from Seed Crystals - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 08-12-2010 |
20100265985 | Insulation Package For Use In High Temperature Furnaces - A high-temperature furnace for melting materials, e.g. silicon, wherein the furnace comprises a vessel having a wall which defines an inner chamber. A crucible containing the material to be melted is positioned inside of the chamber and heating means is arranged around the crucible. An insulation package is provided in the chamber for protecting the vessel wall from the heat generated by said heating means. Specifically, the package comprises a support ring of insulation mounted in the chamber, a sleeve of insulation supported on the ring and extending upward between the heating means and the vessel wall, a catch tray adapted to receive any material which may leak from the crucible during heating mounted through the support ring, and a top and a lower layer of insulation to thermally seal the crucible within the package during heating. | 10-21-2010 |
20110085581 | Insulation Package for Use in High Temperature Furnaces - A high-temperature furnace for melting materials, e.g. silicon, wherein the furnace comprises a vessel having a wall which defines an inner chamber. A crucible containing the material to be melted is positioned inside of the chamber and heating means is arranged around the crucible. An insulation package is provided in the chamber for protecting the vessel wall from the heat generated by said heating means. Specifically, the package comprises a support ring of insulation mounted in the chamber, a sleeve of insulation supported on the ring and extending upward between the heating means and the vessel wall, a catch tray adapted to receive any material which may leak from the crucible during heating mounted through the support ring, and a top and a lower layer of insulation to thermally seal the crucible within the package during heating. | 04-14-2011 |
20110129403 | Methods and Apparatuses for Manufacturing Cast Silicon From Seed Crystals - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 06-02-2011 |
20110154879 | Systems and Methods for Monitoring a Solid-Liquid Interface - Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a solid-liquid interface during a casting process. The systems and methods enable determination of the location of a solid-liquid interface during the casting process. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158887 | Apparatus and method of use for casting system with independent melting and solidification - This invention relates to a two or three-stage apparatus and method of use to produce high purity silicon, such as for use in solar panels and/or photovoltaics. The device of this invention includes a melting apparatus with a delivery device, a holding apparatus with a tipping or transfer mechanism, and at least one solidification apparatus for receiving a molten feedstock. The optimized designs of individual apparatuses function efficiently in combination to produce high purity silicon. | 06-30-2011 |
20120228284 | CARTRIDGE HEATER AND METHOD OF USE - This invention relates to an electric cartridge heater and a method of operation, suitable for use in producing high purity silicon in solar cells or solar modules. The apparatus includes a single-piece elongated heater bar having a length, a first end, and a second end. The apparatus also includes a slot beginning at the first end and running a portion of the length, and the slot dividing the heater bar into a first arm and a second arm. An elbow at the second end joins the first arm and the second arm together. The apparatus also includes a first electrode in electrical communication with the first arm, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the second arm. | 09-13-2012 |
20120260849 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CRYSTALLINE SILICON SUBSTRATES - An apparatus and method for producing a crystalline ribbon continuously from a melt pool of liquid feed material, e.g. silicon. The silicon is melted and flowed into a growth tray to provide a melt pool of liquid silicon. Heat is passively extracted by allowing heat to flow from the melt pool up through a chimney. Heat is simultaneously applied to the growth tray to keep the silicon in its liquid phase while heat loss is occurring through the chimney. A template is placed in contact with the melt pool as heat is lost through the chimney so that the silicon starts to “freeze” (i.e. solidify) and adheres to the template. The template is then pulled from the melt pool thereby producing a continuous ribbon of crystalline silicon. | 10-18-2012 |
20130213297 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANUFACTURING CAST SILICON FROM SEED CRYSTALS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 08-22-2013 |
20130220213 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUID SILICON CONTAINMENT - This invention relates to a system and a method for liquid silicon containment, such as during the casting of high purity silicon used in solar cells or solar modules. The containment apparatus includes a shielding ember adapted to prevent breaching molten silicon from contacting structural elements or cooling elements of a casting device, and a volume adapted to hold a quantity of breaching molten silicon with the volume formed by a bottom and one or more sides. | 08-29-2013 |
20130298821 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CRYSTALLINE SILICON SUBSTRATES - An apparatus and method for producing a crystalline ribbon continuously from a melt pool of liquid feed material, e.g. silicon. The silicon is melted and flowed into a growth tray to provide a melt pool of liquid silicon. Heat is passively extracted by allowing heat to flow from the melt pool up through a chimney. Heat is simultaneously applied to the growth tray to keep the silicon in its liquid phase while heat loss is occurring through the chimney. A template is placed in contact with the melt pool as heat is lost through the chimney so that the silicon starts to “freeze” (i.e. solidify) and adheres to the template. The template is then pulled from the melt pool thereby producing a continuous ribbon of crystalline silicon. | 11-14-2013 |
20130333450 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A SOLID-LIQUID INTERFACE - Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a solid-liquid interface during a casting process. The systems and methods enable determination of the location of a solid-liquid interface during the casting process. | 12-19-2013 |
20140048012 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANUFACTURING CAST SILICON FROM SEED CRYSTALS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 02-20-2014 |
20150013591 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANUFACTURING CAST SILICON FROM SEED CRYSTALS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 01-15-2015 |