Abstract: An improved process for producing a crystalline silicon ingot, a crystalline silicon wafer and a photovoltaic cell using the directional solidification process, and more particularly to loading and preparing a mold for the process of directional solidification. At least one rod polysilicon section and at least one chunk polysilicon, chip polysilicon or granular polysilicon is loaded into the mold, increasing packing density and thermal conductivity of the polysilicon contents while reducing contamination and resources expended to process a production cycle.

Abstract: The parking brakes on a truck or other vehicle having plural axles are applied such that at least one wheel at a first end of a first axle receives a parking brake force without applying a parking brake force to any wheel at the opposite end of the first axle. In addition, at least one wheel at a second end of a second axle, the second end of the second axle being opposite to the first end of the first axle, receives a parking brake force. Desirably, any wheels at the opposite end of the second axle from the second end of the second axle are not the recipient of a parking brake force such that diagonally disposed parking brake forces are applied upon activation of the vehicle parking brakes. The first axle in one example is forwardly of the second axle and the first end of the first axle may be at the longitudinal side of the vehicle which is the heaviest.