Pull Cable Pneumatic Cleaning to Prevent Ingot Melt Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning methods for pull cables in ingot puller apparatuses often damage the cable and result in silicon oxide deposits falling into the melt, 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 cleaning without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cleaning operations contact the pull cable to remove silicon oxide deposits, then the deposits are removed from the cable, but the cable becomes damaged and may break during ingot growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods (which physically contact and damage the cable) with a pneumatic system using pressurized gas flow. The gas flow impinges on the cable surface to remove deposits without mechanical contact, thereby maintaining cable integrity while achieving effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a pneumatic cleaning system where pressurized gas is directed at the pull cable through nozzles. The gas flow provides the cleaning action without physical contact, eliminating the damage caused by traditional mechanical cleaning operations while effectively removing silicon oxide deposits.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional cleaning methods are used to remove deposits from the pull cable, then the cable is cleaned, but the cleaning process is inefficient and requires frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic cleaning system allows for continuous operation without interrupting the ingot growth process. The pressurized gas flow can be applied continuously or in cycles while the cable remains in position, eliminating the need to stop production for cleaning operations and thereby improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of mechanical cleaning with a pneumatic system enables more efficient cleaning operations. The gas flow can be directed precisely at deposit locations, removing silicon oxide deposits faster and more effectively than mechanical methods, reducing the time required for cleaning interruptions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the pull cable is cleaned frequently to prevent oxide deposits from falling into the melt, then ingot quality is maintained, but the cable becomes damaged over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning approaches with a pneumatic system that removes oxide deposits without physical contact. This substitution allows frequent cleaning operations to maintain ingot quality while preserving cable durability, as the gas flow does not cause the cumulative damage that mechanical contact would inflict over repeated cleaning cycles.
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 and maintaining cable integrity, with improved cleaning efficiency and reduced defect rates.
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
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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.