Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In a device for crucible-free zone melting of crystallizable rods, in particular semiconductor rods, in which a rod to be treated by an electromagnetic field is supported at its ends and surrounded at a distance by an annular induction heating coil which has a capacitor connected in parallel therewith to form an oscillatory heating circuit, and in which the heating circuit is fed via circuit components including a high frequency line and at least one adjustable coupling element by a high frequency generator which supplies an a.c. voltage of adjustable frequency, the improvement comprising: a cooling channel for conducting a flow of cooling fluid in at least the high frequency line of the circuit components between the high frequency generator and the oscillatory heating circuit whereby crucible-free zone melting of said rods may be carried out without adjustments to said heating circuit in respect of different diameters of said rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a device for crucible-free zone melting of crystallizable rods, in particular semiconductor rods, in which a rod to be treated by an electromagnetic field is supported at its ends and surrounded at a distance by an annular induction heating coil which has a capacitor connected in parallel therewith to form an oscillatory heating circuit, and in which the heating circuit is fed via circuit components including a high frequency line and at least one adjustable coupling element by a high frequency generator which supplies an a.c. voltage of adjustable frequency, the improvement comprising: a cooling channel for conducting a flow of cooling fluid in at least the high frequency line of the circuit components between the high frequency generator and the oscillatory heating circuit whereby crucible-free zone melting of said rods may be carried out without adjustments to said heating circuit in respect of different diameters of said rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein the high frequency line comprises a coaxial cable which includes a passageway along its length defining said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein the high frequency line comprises a coaxial cable which includes a corrugated tube of non-ferromagnetic material defining said channel and a metal mesh covering and in contact with said tube, said tube and said metal mesh forming an inner conductor of said coaxial line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a device according to claim 3, wherein said corrugated tube is constructed of an alloy of copper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
In a device according to claim 4, wherein said alloy is tombac.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element also comprises a cooling channel connected to receive a flow of coolant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a device according to claim 6, wherein the cooling channels of the high frequency line and the coupling element are connected in series in respect of a flow of cooling fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a method for crucible-free zone melting of a crystallizable rod, in particular a semiconductor rod, wherein an induction heating coil of an oscillatory heating circuit is inductively coupled to a rod and fed by a high frequency generator via coupling elements, the improvement comprising the steps of: adjusting the power transmission to the heating circuit, at a given output frequency of the high frequency generator, to provide sufficient power transmission to sustain melting at a maximum diameter of the rod; maintaining the adjusted power transmission constant in respect of different diameters of the rod; and cooling at least one of the coupling elements to dissipate heat increases therein due to heating the rod at diameters less than the maximum diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a method for crucible-free zone melting of a crystallizable rod, in particular a semiconductor rod, wherein an induction heating coil of an oscillatory heating circuit is inductively coupled to a rod and fed by a high frequency generator via coupling elements, the improvement comprising the steps of: adjusting the power transmission to the heating circuit, at a given output frequency of the high frequency generator, to provide sufficient power transmission to sustain melting at a maximum diameter of the rod; maintaining the adjusted power transmission constant in respect of different diameters of the rod; and cooling at least one of the coupling elements to dissipate heat increases therein due to heating the rod at diameters less than the maximum diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an apparatus for crucible-free zone melting of a crystalline rod, in particular a semiconductor rod, of the type wherein an induction heating coil of an oscillatory heating circuit is inductively coupled to a rod and fed by a high frequency generator via coupling elements, the improvement comprising: means for adjusting the power transmission to the heating circuit, at a given output frequency of the high frequency generator, to provide sufficient power transmission to sustain melting at a maximum diameter of the rod; means for maintaining the adjusted power transmission constant in respect of different diameters of the rod; and means for cooling at least one of the coupling elements to dissipate heat increases therein due to heating the rod at diameters less than the maximum diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an apparatus for crucible-free zone melting of a crystalline rod, in particular a semiconductor rod, of the type wherein an induction heating coil of an oscillatory heating circuit is inductively coupled to a rod and fed by a high frequency generator via coupling elements, the improvement comprising: means for adjusting the power transmission to the heating circuit, at a given output frequency of the high frequency generator, to provide sufficient power transmission to sustain melting at a maximum diameter of the rod; means for maintaining the adjusted power transmission constant in respect of different diameters of the rod; and means for cooling at least one of the coupling elements to dissipate heat increases therein due to heating the rod at diameters less than the maximum diameter.