Drive device for a cable swivel head, cable swivel head having a drive device, and crystal growing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a slip-free drive for a cable swivel head of a crystal growing system, in particular designed for providing a driving force in the case of heavy crystals with a final crystal weight of 400 kg or more, wherein the cable swivel head is arranged above a base unit accommodating the crystal growth chamber and is rotatably mounted with respect to the base unit such that the cable swivel head and therefore the crystal held by the cable swivel head can be rotated relative to the base unit, comprising a coupling arranged on the cable swivel head, for example in the form of a ring gear, a drive unit arranged on the crystal growing system for providing a driving force at a motor output, wherein the motor output is connected to the coupling in a slip-free manner and acts on the coupling to drive the cable swivel head.

Description

[0001] pva-90DEP 18 . 02.2025

[0002] Drive device for a rope rotating head, rope rotating head with a drive device and crystal growth system

[0003] Description

[0004] Field of invention

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a novel drive device configured for driving a rope rotary head of a crystal growth plant, a rope rotary head with such a drive device, and a crystal growth plant.

[0006] Background and general description of the invention

[0007] Several crystal growing systems are already known, including those with a rope-type rotating head for silicon crystal growth applications, which have been developed and marketed for decades. For example, a further developed rope-type rotating head is described in EP 1 730 331 Bl from the applicant's company.

[0008] The rotating cable head imparts a rotational movement to the crystal being grown and held by the cable head, around a crystal axis, thereby influencing various crystal parameters. Among other things, the rotational speed affects the resulting crystal.

[0009] In addition to the rotation of the crystal via the cable-operated rotating head, the crystal's movement is also achieved via the same head. For this purpose, the rotating head contains a retractable pulley for a support cable, with the crystal suspended at the end of this cable. The entire weight of the crystal is thus supported by the rotating head.

[0010] However, it may be desirable to be able to provide a higher crystal end weight, although the existing rope swivel heads reach their limits in this regard.

[0011] From the known body of designs, in particular the aforementioned EP 1 730 331 Bl, drives for a rope swivel head are also known, wherein a drive is typically arranged in a stationary position and power transmission to the rope swivel head takes place via a belt drive.

[0012] One task of the implementation forms of the present disclosure is to further develop the known rope swivel head in such a way that a higher PVA TePla AG 2 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0013] The weight of the crystal, and in particular the final weight of the crystal, can be carried.

[0014] In one aspect of the present task, it may be desirable to make one or, depending on the design, both forms of movement provided for the crystal (rotation or stroke) more controllable.

[0015] In another aspect of the present task, it is desired to provide an alternative drive for a rope swivel head.

[0016] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Dependent claims constitute further developments of the invention.

[0017] To solve all or at least one of these problems, a slip-free drive for a rope-driven rotary head of a crystal growth system is presented, following a first aspect. The slip-free drive is specifically designed to provide driving force in the case of heavy crystals with a final crystal weight of 400 kg or more.

[0018] In other words, it was recognized that the increasing density of crystals, in particular, causes existing belt drives to become unsuitable for transmitting the necessary driving force without slippage. This is because existing belt drives, beyond a certain resistance level, can no longer transmit the driving force without slippage. Slippage can lead to a change in the rotational position between the motor and the cable-operated drive head, which can be detrimental and is therefore undesirable.

[0019] The slip-free drive is preferably, or alternatively, designed as a load-change backlash-free (LWSF) drive or a reverse-backlash-free drive. An LWSF drive is characterized by the fact that, in the event of a load change, such as can occur when the direction of movement is reversed or generally when the torque input to the motor changes, it develops no or no significant play between the drive components.

[0020] For example, in the case of crystal movement (up / down), frequent or regular changes in the direction of rotation are possible, so that a minimal backlash is particularly advantageous in this operating mode. Such changes in direction can also occur in the case of rotation. PVA TePla AG 3 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0021] The rope rotating head is arranged above a base unit housing the crystal growth chamber and is rotatably mounted in relation to the base unit, so that the rope rotating head and thus the crystal held by the rope rotating head can be rotated relative to the base unit.

[0022] The drive system comprises a coupling located on the cable swivel head and a drive unit located on the crystal growth system to provide drive force to a motor output. The motor output can generally be the output side of the drive unit, i.e., the component by which the drive force is drawn from the motor. If no other component is provided between the drive power generator (e.g., electric motor) and the coupling, the rotor of the drive power generator can serve as the motor output, as it allows the force to be drawn from the drive power generator. The motor output can also include, for example, a 90° pinion or similar component. Typically, it is a component suitable for power transmission, which may include, for example, a gear or bevel gear or similar component. The motor output is connected to the coupling without slippage or, if applicable, without backlash, and acts on the coupling to drive the cable swivel head.For example, the coupling is located at one foot of the rope swivel head.

[0023] Within the scope of this description, it was found that various approaches can be useful for providing a slip-free drive with power transmission to the rope swivel head. It is particularly advantageous if the drive power generator is designed as a direct drive system. For example, one or both drives can be equipped with one (or two) magnetic motor(s). In this case, there is no rigid mechanical connection between the stator and rotor. Due to the design, pole skipping can be prevented, so that the connection between the drive power generator and the coupling can be implemented without slippage. Alternatively or cumulatively, one or both drives can be equipped with one (or two) hollow shaft drives.

[0024] Alternatively or cumulatively, the clutch includes a ring gear or is formed from one. The engine output then drives the ring gear.

[0025] The motor output can be connected, for example, directly and immediately, via a gearbox, such as a worm gear or reversing gear, in particular a mechanical gearbox, or via a shaft to the clutch or the ring gear, for a slip-free or backlash-free PVA TePla AG 4 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0026] Power transmission from the drive unit to the rope swivel head. In particular, the power transmission occurs directly to the coupling or gear ring arranged on the rope swivel head. In other words, the drive unit is preferably mechanically coupled to the coupling or gear ring, so that, by means of the direct power transmission, especially via the tooth flanks, a clear correlation between the drive movement on the one hand and the movement of the rope swivel head or within the rope swivel head on the other hand can be established. With a fully mechanical coupling, a particularly high synchronization of the motor speed with the rotation of the rope swivel head can be achieved. Ideally, the motor rotation is completely synchronized with the movement of the coupling, for example, the rotation of the gear ring, meaning completely free of slippage or backlash.

[0027] For the rotational and linear motions provided by the cable-operated rotating head to the crystal held by the rotating head, it is particularly advantageous if there is a clear relationship between the drive unit, the rotating head, and the crystal. For example, the number of revolutions of the drive motor can indicate how the rotating head and / or the crystal have changed position. This can be particularly easy to achieve when an electric motor is used to provide the driving force, since the rotational speed of an electric motor can be measured very precisely. However, this is only possible without doubt if no transmission misalignment (slippage or backlash) can occur between the drive unit (e.g., the electric motor) and the rotating head or crystal. This is particularly easy to achieve with a direct drive.

[0028] Regarding the height (stroke), it should be noted that with heavy crystals, the crystal continuously pulls on the support cable. If slippage were to occur between the drive unit and the cable swivel head, or between the drive unit and the pulley located in the cable swivel head, or between the drive unit and the crystal, the crystal might no longer be held by the drive due to this slippage and could gradually sink towards the melt pool located below the crystal. This becomes more pronounced the heavier the crystal is. A slip-free transmission therefore also provides an additional safety feature, ensuring that the crystal suspended from the cable is held securely in the event of a defect and does not begin a downward movement due to gravity. PVA TePla AG 5 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0029] The drive unit is, in particular, statically arranged on the base unit. Alternatively or cumulatively, the drive unit is supplied with electrical power to generate the driving force. The drive unit therefore includes, for example, an electric motor. Alternatively or cumulatively, the drive unit is equipped with a sensor for detecting the motor speed.

[0030] The gear ring can have a multitude of tooth flanks. The tooth flanks can be designed to prevent backlash when the drive power changes. Alternatively or cumulatively, the gear ring can be backlash-free. Alternatively or cumulatively, the gear ring can be made of a metal material. Alternatively or cumulatively, the gear ring can have helical teeth.

[0031] The gear ring is connected to the rope swivel head in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the drive directly causes the rope swivel head to rotate about its vertical axis. Alternatively or cumulatively, the gear ring can be a drive gear ring to effect the power transmission for rotating the rope swivel head about its vertical axis.

[0032] The present description further includes a slip-free height adjustment device for adjusting or tracking the height (stroke) of a crystal held on a cable swivel head in a crystal growth system. The slip-free height adjustment device is particularly suited for crystal growth systems capable of growing heavy crystals with a final crystal weight of 400 kg or more. For example, these crystals may have a final crystal weight of 250 kg or more, preferably 400 kg or more, more preferably 500 kg or more, and even more preferably 600 kg or more. For example, final crystal weights of up to 1000 kg or less are currently planned, preferably 800 kg or less, and more preferably 650 kg or less.

[0033] The rope rotating head is arranged above a base unit housing the crystal growth chamber and is rotatably mounted in relation to the base unit, so that the rope rotating head and thus the crystal held by the rope rotating head can be rotated relative to the base unit.

[0034] The height adjustment device comprises a height adjustment coupling arranged on the cable swivel head and rotatably mounted relative to the cable swivel head, in particular a height adjustment toothed ring. For example, a bearing, such as a rolling bearing or a roller bearing, is provided for the rotatable mounting of the coupling. PVA TePla AG 6 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0035] in particular the toothed ring, opposite the cable swivel head. In other words, the height adjustment coupling can rotate around the cable swivel head.

[0036] For example, the height adjustment coupling is also located at the base of the rope swivel head.

[0037] Furthermore, the height adjustment device includes a drive unit located on the crystal growth system to provide drive force to a motor output. In other words, the drive unit is stationary and does not rotate with the movement of the cable swivel head.

[0038] The motor output is connected to the height adjustment clutch without slippage or backlash and acts on the height adjustment clutch to adjust the crystal's height by means of a rope receptacle located in the rope swivel head. If slippage could occur between the motor output and the height adjustment clutch, the crystal's height could no longer be properly tracked. Especially with heavier crystals, slippage can increase in a flexible connection such as a belt.

[0039] The slip-free or load-change-free height adjustment device can further include a cable drum for receiving the retaining cable. Alternatively or cumulatively, the drive unit can act on the cable drum via the height adjustment coupling in such a way that the retaining cable can be retracted or released.

[0040] The slip-free height adjustment device can further comprise a second adjustment gear ring, wherein the second adjustment gear ring is mounted together with and rotationally fixed relative to the first adjustment gear ring. Alternatively or cumulatively, the second adjustment gear ring can be integrally mounted on a ring component together with the first adjustment gear ring.

[0041] An adjusting pull-out for transmitting the pull-out movement to the pull-out drum can be arranged between the cable drum and the adjusting gear ring, or between the cable drum and a second adjusting gear ring. The adjusting pull-out can include a gear engaging with the first or second adjusting gear ring. Alternatively or cumulatively, the adjusting pull-out can include a transmission shaft. Alternatively or cumulatively, the adjusting pull-out can include a mechanical gear arrangement for connecting the first or second adjusting gear ring to the cable drum. PVA TePla AG 7 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0042] The present description also describes, in one aspect, a combined drive and height adjustment device for a cable rotator of a crystal growth system, in particular configured to provide a driving force in the case of heavy crystals with a final crystal weight of 400 kg or more, wherein the cable rotator is arranged above a base unit housing the crystal growth chamber and is rotatably mounted with respect to the base unit, so that the cable rotator, and thus the crystal held by the cable rotator, is rotatable relative to the base unit. The combined drive and height adjustment device comprises a slip-free and / or backlash-free drive device, in particular as described above, as well as a slip-free and / or backlash-free height adjustment device, in particular as described above.The drive unit comprises a drive coupling, in particular a gear ring, arranged on the cable rotating head; a rotary drive unit arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force to a motor output, wherein the motor output is connected to the drive coupling without slippage or backlash and acts on the drive coupling to drive the cable rotating head. The height adjustment device comprises a height adjustment coupling, in particular a gear ring, arranged on the cable rotating head and rotatably mounted relative to the cable rotating head; and a position drive unit arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force to a second motor output, wherein the second motor output is connected to the adjustment coupling without slippage or backlash and acts on the adjustment coupling to adjust the height of the crystal by means of a cable receiving device arranged in the cable rotating head.

[0043] Within the scope of this description, one aspect also includes a cable swivel head with an adjustment device, particularly according to one of the preceding claims. The cable swivel head can include a drive device, particularly as defined above. The cable swivel head can also include a height adjustment device, likewise particularly as described above. Finally, the cable swivel head can also include the combination of the two aforementioned components, i.e., the combined drive and height adjustment device. The further developments and improvements described above and below can also be incorporated into the described cable swivel head. PVA TePla AG 8 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0044] The present description also includes a crystal growth system with a rope rotator, in particular as described above, and especially configured for growing crystals with a final crystal weight of 400 kg or more. The crystal growth system comprises a rope rotator arranged above a base unit housing the crystal growth chamber and rotatably mounted relative to the base unit, wherein the rope rotator, and thus the crystal held by the rope rotator by means of a retaining rope, is rotatable relative to the base unit. Furthermore, the crystal growth system includes a slip-free or...backlash-free drive device, in particular as described above, comprising a drive coupling arranged on the rope rotating head, such as a drive gear ring, a rotary drive unit arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force at a motor output, wherein the motor output is connected to the coupling without slippage and acts on the drive coupling to drive the rope rotating head.

[0045] In one aspect, the crystal growth system can further comprise a slip-free height adjustment device, in particular as described above, comprising an adjustment coupling arranged on the rope rotating head and rotatable relative to the rope rotating head, in particular as a toothed ring, a position drive unit arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force to a second motor output, wherein the second motor output is slip-free connected to the adjustment coupling and acts on the adjustment coupling to adjust the height position of the crystal by means of a rope receiving device arranged in the rope rotating head.

[0046] Finally, a method for growing a crystal is described below, particularly in a crystal growth system as described above. The method comprises the steps of introducing a crystal seedling into the growth chamber of the crystal growth system, holding the crystal seedling on a holding rope by means of a rope rotator arranged above the growth chamber, and initiating the crystal growth process, particularly for growing a heavy crystal of 400 kg or more, in the growth chamber. During the crystal growth process, a drive force, particularly by means of a rotary drive unit, is applied without slippage to a drive coupling arranged on the rope rotator, particularly designed as a toothed ring, wherein the drive coupling is rotationally fixed to the rope rotator. PVA TePla AG 9 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0047] The drive coupling is connected, and a rotation of the drive coupling causes a rotation of the rope swivel head. Applying the drive force to the drive coupling thus causes the crystal, held by the retaining rope, to rotate.

[0048] The method can be further developed with the steps of applying a drive force, in particular by means of an adjusting drive unit, to an adjusting coupling arranged on the rope rotating head and rotatably mounted relative to the rope rotating head, in particular designed as a toothed ring, in a slip-free manner during the growth of the crystal in the growing chamber, and changing the height position of the crystal on the holding rope by applying the drive force to the adjusting coupling.

[0049] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures, whereby identical and similar elements are partly provided with the same reference numerals and the features of the different exemplary embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0050] Brief description of the characters

[0051] It shows:

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a schematic embodiment of a rope swivel head according to the invention, mounted on a base unit.

[0053] Fig. 2 Detailed view of a transmission unit of a rope swivel head according to the invention,

[0054] Fig. 3 Process flow diagram.

[0055] Detailed description of the invention:

[0056] Referring to Fig. 1, the upper part of a crystal growth system 1 is shown, comprising a base unit 80 and a rope rotator 10 mounted above the base unit. A crystal 90 is held in the base unit 80 by a crystal holding rope 92, the length of which can be adjusted by means of the rope rotator 10. The crystal holding rope 92 runs over the pulley 12 of the rope rotator 10, and rope 92 can be fed in or out by rotating the pulley 12. In other words, the height of the crystal 90 can be changed by means of the rope rotator 10, i.e., the crystal 90 can be lowered or raised. PVA TePla AG 10 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0057] Furthermore, the rope-mounted rotating head 10 is rotatably mounted so that it can rotate about its vertical axis. This also causes the crystal 90 suspended from the rope 92 to rotate. In other words, the rope-mounted rotating head 10 provides two different forms of movement for the crystal 90 held on the rope 92: a rotation of the crystal 90 about its vertical axis and a change in the height of the crystal 90. Since the height of the crystal 90 is variable, the crystal 90 can be drawn from a melt in great lengths, as for example in the Czochral-ski process.

[0058] To provide energy for the rotary motion of the rope rotating head 10, a drive motor 20 is stationary on or attached to the base unit 80 of the crystal growth system 1. The motor power is transmitted to the drive gear 42 via the motor output 22. The drive gear 42 is fixed to the base 15 of the rope rotating head 10, so that rotation of the drive gear 42 also causes rotation of the entire rope rotating head 10. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the motor drive 22 drives a gear at its gear end, which engages with the drive gear 42. The drive gear 42 has helical teeth.

[0059] The lifting drive 30 transmits its drive force via the output 32 and a gear 54 or pinion to the height-adjustable gear ring 44. The height-adjustable gear ring 44 is arranged together with the second gear ring 46 on a common ring component or sleeve component 45. The ring component 45 is rotatably mounted so that it can rotate relative to the cable swivel head 10.

[0060] For example, the ring component 45 is ball-bearing mounted. In other words, a drive of the ring component 45 by the lifting drive 30 does not cause a rotation of the cable swivel head 10, but rather a rotation of the ring component 45 itself. The second gear ring 46 is integrally connected to the ring component 45. A gear 56 engages with this second gear ring to further transmit the lifting drive force to the adjusting tap 58 and finally to the cable pulley 12. The movement of the lifting drive 30 can thus be transmitted to the cable pulley 12 via the gear 56. It should be noted that the gear 56, together with the cable swivel head 10, performs a rotational movement around the vertical central axis and thus around the ring component 45 or around the second gear ring 46. Therefore, the gear 56 also rotates around the second gear ring 46 as the cable swivel head 10 rotates. In the event that the sleeve component 45 is exactly the same

[0061] Since the rotation frequency is similar to that of the rope swivel head 10, the crystal 90 does not perform a lifting movement; rather, the gear 56 remains stationary. PVA TePla AG 11 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0062] The entire drive train, from the motors 20, 30 via motor outputs 22, 32, gears 52, 54, 56 and gear rings 42, 44, 46 up to the rope pulley 12, is designed directly and without slippage in accordance with the application. In the case shown in Fig. 1, it is a mechanical transmission. Neither the steadily increasing weight of crystal 90 nor a change in load or direction of movement can lead to an offset between the drive position and the rope swivel head 10 or crystal 90, since, via the mechanical gear transmission 40, the tooth flanks always mesh at all power transmission points (e.g., drive to motor output, motor output to gear, gear to ring gear), so that an adjustment between drive 20, 30 via ring gear 42, 44, 46 to rope swivel head 10 or crystal 90 is essentially impossible. Only in the event of a broken tooth flank of a gear or ring gear could such an offset occur.This means that significantly heavier crystals can be held securely without any possibility of slippage. Therefore, the height of the Crystal 90 can always be reliably determined via the connected drive.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 2, a detailed view is shown, in which the mechanical transmission 40 on the rope swivel head 10 is realized via the gears 52, 54, 56 and gear rings 42, 44 and 46 used in this case. The position adjustment drive 30 drives the adjustment gear ring 44, which is arranged on a common, one-piece sleeve part 45, via motor output 32 and a gear element in the form of a pinion 54. The gear element 56, also designed as a pinion, is driven via the second gear ring 46, which is also arranged on the sleeve part 45. The rope receiving device 12 (see Fig. 1) is operatively connected to this gear element 56 by means of the transmission 58. The tooth flanks 48 are designed as helical teeth to further reduce backlash. The design with two gear rings 44, 46 allows the free rotation of the gear element 56 around the sleeve part 45.In other words, by using two gear rings 44, 46, the gear element 56 remains free from the gear element 54.

[0064] By means of a further drive, the rotary drive 20 (see Fig. 1), the drive gear ring 42 is moved via motor output 22 and a gear element 52 designed as a pinion. The drive gear ring 42 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the base 15 of the rope swivel head 10. The movement of the drive gear ring 42 therefore directly causes the rope swivel head 10 to rotate. PVA TePla AG 12 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0065] Instead of the design of the mechanized assembly or transmission unit 40 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, another slip-free design may also be chosen. In particular, depending on the arrangement of the drives 20, 30, it may be advantageous to replace the gears 52, 54, 56 with other slip-free or backlash-free transmission means, such as worm shafts.

[0066] With further reference to Fig. 3, a process sequence for a method 100 for growing a crystal is schematically illustrated. First, according to the method, an inoculum 90 is introduced 110 into a growth chamber of the crystal growth system 1. In step 120, the inoculum 90 is held by a retaining cable, the holding being effected by the cable swivel head 10 located above the growth chamber. In step 130, the crystal growth process begins, particularly for growing heavy crystals with a final crystal weight of 250 kg or more, and furthermore, particularly for heavy crystals with a final crystal weight of 400 kg or more, or even 650 kg or more.

[0067] For example, crystals can be held up to a maximum final crystal weight of 1000 kilograms, or even up to 1500 kilograms. In principle, the invention presented in the present application is particularly advantageous for processing especially large and heavy crystals.

[0068] According to step 140, a drive force is applied without slippage, in particular by means of a rotary drive unit 20, to a drive gear 42 arranged on the rope swivel head 10. The drive gear 42 is rotationally fixed to the rope swivel head 10, so that a rotation of the drive gear 42 directly also causes a rotation of the rope swivel head 10. Finally, the crystal 90, which is held on the retaining rope 92, is rotated 142, in particular by applying the drive force 140 to the drive gear 42.

[0069] In step 130, during the cultivation process in the cultivation chamber, a further slip-free application of a drive force can take place in step 150, in particular by means of a height-adjustment drive unit 30. The application 150 of the drive force is carried out, for example, on a height-adjustment toothed ring 42 arranged on the rope-rotating head 10 and rotatably mounted relative to the rope-rotating head 10. The application of the drive force in step 150 to the height-adjustment toothed ring 42 can ultimately cause a change 152 in the height position of the crystal 90 held on the retaining rope 92. PVA TePla AG 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP

[0070] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown in the preceding description, various changes and modifications can be made. The embodiments mentioned are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the person skilled in the art with a plan for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby numerous changes can be made to the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Furthermore, according to the principles described herein, several modules or several products can also be combined to obtain further functions.

[0071] The present description has a large number of aspects which, individually or together with others, can define essential aspects of the invention(s).

[0072] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the above-described

[0073] The embodiments shown are to be understood as exemplary, and the invention is not limited to them but can be varied in many ways without leaving the scope of protection of the claims. Furthermore, it is evident that the features, regardless of whether they are disclosed in the description, the claims, the figures, or elsewhere, also individually define essential components of the invention, even if they are described together with other features. In all figures, the same reference signs represent the same objects, so that descriptions of objects that may only be mentioned in one figure, or in any case not with respect to all figures, can also be applied to those figures and embodiments with respect to which the object is not explicitly described in the description. PVA TePla AG 14 19.02.2026

[0074] pva-90WOP

[0075] Reference symbol list

[0076] 1 Crystal Breeding Facility

[0077] 10 Rope swivel head

[0078] 12 Rope receiving device or rope pulley

[0079] 15 feet of the rope swivel head

[0080] 20 first drive unit or rotary drive

[0081] 22 Motor output

[0082] 30 second drive unit or lifting drive

[0083] 32 Motor output

[0084] 40 transmission unit

[0085] 42 Coupling or gear ring or drive gear ring 44 Coupling or gear ring or adjusting gear ring 45 Common sleeve part

[0086] 46 Clutch or second gear ring

[0087] 48 Tooth flank

[0088] 52 Gear element

[0089] 54 Gear element

[0090] 56 Gear element

[0091] 58 Transmission to the pulley

[0092] 80 basic unit

[0093] 84 metal bellows

[0094] 85 Crystal Breeding Chamber

[0095] 90 crystal

[0096] 92 Crystal retaining rope

[0097] 100 procedures

[0098] 110 Bringing in the person being vaccinated

[0099] 120 Holding the crystal or inoculation

[0100] 130 Beginning crystal growth

[0101] 140 Slip-free application of a driving force 142 Rotation of the crystal 90° or of the rope swivel head 10° 150 Slip-free application of a driving force 152 Changing the height of the crystal

Claims

PVA TePla AG 15 February 19, 2026 pva-90WOP Patent claims 1. Slip-free drive for a rope rotary head ( 10 ) of a crystal growth plant ( 1 ), in particular designed to provide a driving force in the case of heavy crystals ( 90 ) of 400 kg or more final crystal weight, wherein the rope rotating head is arranged above a base unit (80) housing the crystal growth chamber (85) and is rotatably mounted with respect to the base unit, so that the rope rotating head and thus the crystal held by the rope rotating head is rotatable relative to the base unit, comprehensive a coupling arranged on the rope swivel head ( 42 , 44 , 46) , a drive unit (20, 30) arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force to a motor output (22, 32), wherein the motor output is connected without slippage to the coupling arranged on the rope swivel head and acts without slippage on the coupling to drive the rope swivel head.

2. Slip-free drive according to the preceding claim, wherein the drive of the rope swivel head ( 10 ) causes a rotation of the rope swivel head about a vertical axis, and / or wherein the drive of the rope swivel head ( 10 ) causes a change in the height position of the crystal ( 90 ).

3. Slip-free drive according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor output (22 , 32 ) - directly and immediately, - via a transmission, such as a worm gear or a reversing gear, in particular a mechanical transmission ( 40 ), or - over a wave connected to the coupling ( 42 , 44 , 46) for slip-free power transmission from the drive unit (20, 30 ) to the rope swivel head ( 10 ), in particular to the coupling .

4. Slip-free drive according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive is designed as a load-change backlash-free drive or a reverse-flow backlash-free drive, such that the drive develops no or no significant play between drive components in the event of a load change. PVA TePla AG 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP 5. Slip-free drive according to one of the preceding claims wherein the drive unit (20, 30 ) is statically arranged on the base unit ( 80 ), and / or supplied with electrical power to generate the driving force, and / or is equipped with a sensor to detect the engine speed.

6. Slip-free drive according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (42) is connected to the rope swivel head (10) in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the drive directly causes the rope swivel head to rotate about its vertical axis, and / or wherein the coupling ( 42 ) is a drive gear ring for effecting the power transmission to rotate the rope swivel head ( 10 ) about its vertical axis .

7. Slip-free drive according to one of the preceding claims, the drive includes a magnetic motor, and / or the drive includes a hollow shaft drive, and / or wherein the coupling is formed by or includes a toothed ring .

8. Slip-free drive according to the preceding claim, wherein the toothed ring ( 42 , 44 , 46) has a plurality of tooth flanks ( 48 ), wherein the tooth flanks ( 48 ) are designed to prevent backlash when the drive power of the drive (20, 30 ) changes, and / or wherein the gear ring ( 42 , 44 , 46) is a backlash-free gear ring, and / or wherein the toothed ring ( 42 , 44 , 46) is made of a metal material .

9. Slip-free drive according to one of claims 6 or 7 , wherein the toothed ring ( 42 , 44 , 46) has helical teeth .

10. Slip-free height adjustment device for adjusting or tracking the height position of a crystal (90) held on a rope swivel head (10) in a crystal growth system (1). wherein the rope rotating head is arranged above a base unit (80) housing the crystal growth chamber and is rotatably mounted with respect to the base unit, so that the rope rotating head and thus the crystal held by the rope rotating head can be rotated relative to the base unit. PVA TePla AG 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP is , encompasses send a height adjustment coupling ( 44 ) arranged on the rope swivel head and rotatable relative to the rope swivel head , a drive unit (30) arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force to a motor output (32), wherein the motor output is connected without slippage to the height adjustment coupling and acts on the height adjustment coupling to adjust the height position of the crystal by means of a rope receiving device ( 12 ) arranged in the rope swivel head .

11. Slip-free height adjustment device according to the preceding claim, further comprising at least one bearing, such as a rolling bearing, for rotatable mounting of the height adjustment coupling ( 44 ) relative to the rope swivel head ( 10 ).

12. Slip-free height adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore, it includes a rope receiving device (12) for receiving the holding rope (92), and wherein the drive unit (30) acts on the rope drum via the height adjustment coupling (44) in such a way that the holding rope can be drawn in or paid out.

13. Slip-free height adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the height adjustment coupling (44) is formed by or includes a first adjustment toothed ring.

14. Slip-free height adjustment device according to the preceding claim, further comprising a second adjustment toothed ring ( 46 ) , wherein the second adjusting gear ring is mounted together with and rotationally fixed relative to the first adjusting gear ring (44), and / or further comprising a ring component (45) for receiving the adjusting gear ring (44) and / or a second adjusting gear ring (46), and / or wherein the second adjusting gear ring ( 46 ) is integrally constructed with the first adjusting gear ring ( 44 ), in particular on the common ring component ( 45 ).

15. Slip-free height adjustment device according to one of claims 13 or 14 , furthermore includes a between rope drum ( 12 ) and adjustable toothed ring PVA TePla AG 18 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP ( 44 ) or adjusting tap (58 ) arranged between rope drum ( 12 ) and second adjusting gear ring ( 46 ) for transmitting the gear ring movement to the rope drum .

16. Slip-free height adjustment device according to the preceding claim, wherein the adjustment tap (58) comprises a gear (56) engaging in the first or second adjustment gear ring (44, 46), and / or wherein the adjusting tap ( 58 ) comprises a transmission shaft, and / or wherein the adjusting tap ( 58 ) comprises a mechanical gear arrangement for connecting the first or second adjusting gear ring ( 44 , 46 ) to the rope drum ( 12 ).

17. Combined drive and height adjustment device for a rope rotating head ( 10 ) of a crystal growth system ( 1 ) , wherein the rope rotating head is arranged above a base unit (80) housing the crystal growth chamber (85) and is rotatably mounted with respect to the base unit, so that the rope rotating head and thus the crystal held by the rope rotating head is rotatable relative to the base unit, comprising a slip-free drive device, in particular according to claim 1, and a slip-free height adjustment device, in particular according to claim 10, the drive unit includes a drive coupling (42) arranged on the rope swivel head, a rotary drive unit (20) arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force at a motor output (22), wherein the motor output is connected to the drive coupling without slippage and acts on the drive coupling to drive the rope swivel head, and wherein the height adjustment device comprises a height adjustment coupling ( 44 ) arranged on the rope swivel head and rotatable relative to the rope swivel head , a position drive unit ( 30 ) arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force at a second motor output ( 32 ), wherein the second motor output is connected without slippage to the height adjustment coupling and acts on the height adjustment coupling to adjust the height position of the crystal by means of a PVA TePla AG 19 19.02.2026 pva-90WOP arranged in the rope swivel head Rope receiving device ( 12 ) .

18. Rope swivel head ( 10 ) with an adjustment device, in particular according to one of the preceding claims .

19. Slip-free height adjustment device according to one of claims 10 to 15, combined drive and height adjustment device according to claim 16 or rope swivel head according to claim 17, configured for crystal growth plants ( 1 ) for growing heavy crystals of 400 kg or more final crystal weight .

20. Crystal growth apparatus ( 1 ) with a rope rotating head ( 10 ) , in particular according to one of claims 17 or 18 , comprising a rope rotating head arranged above a base unit (80) housing the crystal growth chamber (85) and rotatably mounted with respect to the base unit, wherein the rope rotating head and thus the crystal held by the rope rotating head by means of a retaining rope (92) is rotatable relative to the base unit, a slip-free drive device, in particular according to claim 1, comprising a drive coupling (42) arranged on the rope swivel head, a rotary drive unit (20) arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force to a motor output (22), wherein the motor output is connected to the drive coupling without slippage and acts on the drive coupling to drive the rope swivel head .

21. Crystal growth apparatus ( 1 ) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a slip-free height adjustment device, in particular according to claim 10, comprising an adjusting coupling (44) arranged on the rope swivel head ( 10 ) and rotatable relative to the rope swivel head , a position drive unit ( 30 ) arranged on the crystal growth system for providing a drive force at a second motor output ( 32 ), wherein the second motor output is connected without slippage to the adjusting clutch and acts on the adjusting clutch to adjust the height position of the crystal ( 90 ) by means of a PVA TePla AG 19 . 02 . 2026 pva- 90WOP arranged in the rope swivel head Rope receiving device ( 12 ) .

22. Method (100) for growing a crystal (90), in particular in a crystal growth apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: Introducing ( 110 ) a crystal seedling into the breeding chamber ( 85 ) of the crystal breeding facility , Holding ( 120 ) the crystal seedling on a holding rope ( 92 ) by means of a rope swivel head ( 10 ) arranged above the growing chamber , Commencement ( 130 ) of the crystal growth process, in particular for the growth of a heavy crystal of 400 kg or more, in the growth chamber, during the crystal growth process slip-free application (140) of a drive force, in particular by means of a rotary drive unit (20), to a drive coupling (42) arranged on the rope swivel head, wherein the drive coupling is rotationally fixed to the rope swivel head and a rotation of the drive coupling causes a rotation of the rope swivel head, by applying the driving force to the drive coupling, the crystal held on the retaining rope is rotated ( 142 ).

23. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, further comprising the steps of applying (150) a drive force, in particular by means of a height adjustment drive unit (30), to a height adjustment coupling (44) arranged on the rope swivel head (10) and rotatably mounted relative to the rope swivel head in a slip-free manner during the growth (130) of the crystal (90) in the growth chamber (85). by applying the drive force to the height adjustment coupling, changing ( 152 ) the height position of the crystal on the holding part ( 92 ).

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