Patent ID: 9056776
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: C01B,C30B

Abstract:
1. A solidification process for a multi-crystalline material from a melt produced in an open bottom induction cold crucible, the solidification process comprising the steps of: supplying a feedstock at the top of the open bottom induction cold crucible; forming the melt in the open bottom induction cold crucible by a magnetic flux coupling with the feedstock and melt combination when an alternating current flows through one or more induction coils surrounding the exterior of the open bottom induction cold crucible; forming from the melt a continuous supply of a hot solidified mass of a purified multi-crystalline material at the open bottom of the open bottom induction cold crucible; gravity feeding the hot solidified mass of the purified multi-crystalline material into a mold having a moveable inner bottom; controlling the rate of the gravity feeding of the hot solidified mass of the purified multi-crystalline material into the mold by a powered drive in communication with the moveable inner bottom of the mold; severing the hot solidified mass of the purified multi-crystalline material from the continuous supply of the hot solidified mass of the purified multi-crystalline material at the open bottom of the open bottom induction cold crucible; and moving the mold for remote directional solidification of the hot solidified mass of the purified multi-crystalline material in the mold without application of an external heating or cooling source.