| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 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 |
| 20100055020 | Apparatus and Method for a Crucible Design and Tipping Mechanism for Silicon Casting - This invention relates to an apparatus and a method of a crucible design and a tipping mechanism used to cast silicon. The crucible of this invention produces high purity silicon for solar cells and/or solar modules, such as by improving quality and/or reducing impurities in the cast silicon. As impurities concentrate in an uncrystallized portion of the silicon, a portion of the remaining molten silicon is poured or decanted from the main portion of the crucible to a second portion of the crucible. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
