Patent ID: 9612054
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: C30B,F27B,F27D,Y10T

Claim:
1. A directional solidification furnace comprising: a crucible for holding molten silicon; a crucible support having vertical walls and a bottom plate for supporting the crucible, the bottom plate having an underside surface that defines a lower area; a support member having an upper surface and a lower surface connected along their respective peripheries by lateral sidewalls, the underside surface of the crucible support positioned adjacent the upper surface of the support member, the upper surface of the support member defining an upper area that is substantially smaller than the lower area of the bottom plate such that the bottom plate extends outward past the lateral sidewalls of the support member; and an insulating member disposed adjacent the lateral sidewalls of the support member to inhibit heat from exiting laterally therethrough, the insulating member having a recess to accept at least a portion of the bottom plate therein, the insulating member extending above the bottom plate and below the support member, wherein the insulating member has a main portion generally parallel to the lateral sidewalls of the support member and a cap portion generally perpendicular to the main portion, the cap portion extending from the vertical sidewall of the crucible support to a location outward of the main portion.