Furnace for casting near-net shape (NNS) silicon
US10724796B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF27B2014/104
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A furnace includes a pedestal, a crucible, first and second heaters, and a controller. The crucible is arranged on a pedestal that is movable downwardly and is rotatable. The first and second heaters are spaced vertically along an outer wall of the crucible and are arranged around the crucible to heat pieces of solid material deposited in the crucible. A third heater is arranged above the crucible if the crucible includes a solid cylindrical mold or in a hollow cylindrical space of the crucible if the crucible includes a hollow cylindrical mold. The controller is configured to control the first and second heaters to heat the pieces of the solid material to form a melted liquid. The controller is configured to control the rotational and downward movements of the pedestal relative to the first and second heaters during solidification of the melted liquid to form an ingot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.