Ingot Puller Cable Cleaning with Non-Contact Fluid Nozzles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning methods for pull cables in ingot puller apparatuses often damage the cable and fail to effectively remove deposits, leading to defects in single crystal silicon ingots.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool with a frame, chamber, and nozzles that direct pressurized fluid onto the pull cable, using guides and an exhaust system to remove debris without contacting the cable, ensuring efficient and damage-free cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cleaning operations contact the pull cable to remove deposits, then the deposits are removed from the pull cable, but the cable becomes damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cleaning mechanism that does not directly contact the pull cable. Instead, a cleaning tool with a chamber and nozzles directs pressurized fluid onto the cable surface, allowing deposit removal without mechanical contact that would damage the cable. The pressurized fluid acts as the cleaning medium, separating the cleaning function from direct cable contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning methods (which would directly contact and potentially damage the cable) with a fluid-based cleaning system. Pressurized fluid is directed at the pull cable to remove deposits, substituting mechanical contact with fluid dynamics to achieve cleaning without cable damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressurized fluid is directed at the pull cable to remove deposits, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the cleaning tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall complexity. The same tool structure that directs pressurized fluid for cleaning also includes an exhaust system for removing debris and a positioning mechanism for accurate cable alignment. This integrated design achieves effective deposit removal while minimizing the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing pressurized fluid (gas or liquid) to perform the cleaning function. The pressurized fluid is directed through nozzles at the pull cable, and an exhaust system removes the spent fluid and debris. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach provides effective cleaning with a relatively simple tool structure compared to mechanical alternatives.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool effectively removes debris from the pull cable, reducing defects in ingots by 0.7% and improving the crystal full bottom ratio to 84.55%, while maintaining the cable's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
One or more nozzles direct a pressurized fluid at the pull cable
Implementation Method 2
An exhaust flue carries away fluid discharged from the one or more nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning tools for cleaning the pull cable of an ingot puller apparatus and methods for cleaning the pull cable are disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a chamber for receiving the pull cable. Pressurized fluid is discharged through one or more nozzles to detach debris from the pull cable. The fluid and debris are collected in an exhaust plenum of the cleaning tool and are expelled through an exhaust tube. The cleaning tool includes one or more guides that guide the cleaning tool in an upper segment of the ingot puller apparatus.