Patent ID: 8784561
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: C30B,F27B,F27D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of adjusting the position of insulation in a directional solidification furnace, the furnace including a crucible for holding molten silicon, a crucible support for supporting the crucible, the crucible support having a bottom plate, a support member having an upper surface in contact with the bottom plate of the crucible support, the support member having lateral sidewalls, the method comprising: positioning the insulation in a melt position during melting of the silicon in the crucible, wherein the insulation is disposed away from the lateral sidewalls of the support member when in the melt position; and positioning the insulation in a solidification position during solidification of molten silicon in the crucible, wherein the insulation is adjacent the lateral sidewalls of the support member when in the solidification position.