Pulling assemblies for pulling a multicrystalline silicon ingot from a silicon melt
AssigneeMEMC Singapore Ptd. Ltd.
InventorSteven L. Kimbel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for producing multicrystalline silicon ingots by use of a Czochralski-type crystal puller and pulling assemblies that include a plurality of seed crystals for pulling multicrystalline silicon ingots.
Claims21
A pulling assembly constructed for holding a plurality of seed crystals for pulling a growing ingot upward from a silicon melt, the pulling assembly comprising a chuck, a mounting bracket and a plurality of seed crystals attached to the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket being connected to the chuck, the seed crystals being attached to the mounting bracket at a joint to allow for lateral movement of the seed crystals as the silicon ingot is withdrawn from the silicon melt and cools.
An ingot puller for growing a silicon ingot from a silicon melt, the ingot puller comprising a housing and a pulling mechanism for pulling a growing ingot upward from a silicon melt held within a crucible, the pulling mechanism comprising a pulling assembly that includes a plurality of seed crystals, a mounting bracket and a chuck constructed for holding the seed crystals and the ingot grown on the seed crystal from the silicon melt, the seed crystals being attached to the mounting bracket at a joint to allow lateral movement of the crystals as the silicon ingot is withdrawn from the silicon melt and cools.
An ingot puller for growing a silicon ingot from a silicon melt, the ingot puller comprising a pulling mechanism for pulling a growing ingot upward from a silicon melt held within a crucible, the pulling mechanism comprising a pulling assembly that includes a plurality of seed crystals and a mounting bracket that (1) is circular in shape or (2) has at least two legs, the seed crystals being attached to the mounting bracket at a joint to allow lateral movement of the crystals as the silicon ingot is withdrawn from the silicon melt and cools.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.