Abstract: A susceptor assembly for supporting a crucible during a crystal growth process includes a susceptor base, a tubular sidewall connected to the susceptor base, and a removable sacrifice ring interposed between the susceptor base and the sidewall. Each of the susceptor base and the sidewall is formed of a carbon-containing material. The susceptor base has an annular wall and a shoulder extending radially outward from an outer surface of the annular wall. The sidewall has a first end that receives the annular wall to connect the sidewall to the susceptor base. The sacrifice ring has a first surface that faces the outer surface of the annular wall, a second surface that faces an interior surface of the sidewall, and a ledge extending outward from the second surface that engages the first end of the sidewall.

Abstract: A method of producing a single crystal silicon ingot from a silicon melt includes positioning a crucible in an interior of a susceptor assembly defined by a susceptor base and a sidewall, where each of the susceptor base and the sidewall are formed of a carbon-containing material and the susceptor assembly includes a removable sacrifice ring interposed between the susceptor base and the sidewall, adding polycrystalline silicon to the crucible, heating the polycrystalline silicon to cause a silicon melt to form in the crucible, pulling a single crystal silicon ingot from the melt, where silicon carbide (SiC) deposits accumulate on the sacrifice ring during the pulling the single crystal silicon ingot from the melt, and after the pulling the single crystal silicon ingot from the melt, removing the sacrifice ring having the accumulated SiC deposits from the susceptor base.

Abstract: A susceptor assembly for supporting a crucible during a crystal growth process includes a susceptor base, a tubular sidewall connected to the susceptor base, and a removable sacrifice ring interposed between the susceptor base and the sidewall. Each of the susceptor base and the sidewall is formed of a carbon-containing material. The susceptor base has an annular wall and a shoulder extending radially outward from an outer surface of the annular wall. The sidewall has a first end that receives the annular wall to connect the sidewall to the susceptor base. The sacrifice ring has a first surface that faces the outer surface of the annular wall, a second surface that faces an interior surface of the sidewall, and a ledge extending outward from the second surface that engages the first end of the sidewall.

Abstract: Ingot puller apparatus that include a silicon feed tube for adding solid silicon to a crucible assembly are disclosed. The silicon feed tubes include a conduit portion having an inner diameter and a kick plate disposed below the conduit portion. The kick plate extends across at least 60% of the inner diameter of the conduit portion.

Abstract: A firmware flashing method for a computer system is disclosed. The firmware flashing method comprises establishing a list, wherein the list comprise a plurality of identities individually corresponding to a plurality of firmwares, checking a plurality devices of the computer system and obtaining corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system, determining whether the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, selecting corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system when the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, and merging the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system and writing the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system in a memory.

Abstract: A firmware flashing method for a computer system is disclosed. The firmware flashing method comprises establishing a list, wherein the list comprise a plurality of identities individually corresponding to a plurality of firmwares, checking a plurality devices of the computer system and obtaining corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system, determining whether the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, selecting corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system when the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, and merging the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system and writing the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system in a memory.

Abstract: An auto-detection circuit for detecting video signals includes a reception end for receiving a video signal, a synchronization signal detector coupled to the reception end for generating a waveform according to voltage variation of the video signal, a peak value detector coupled to the synchronization signal detector for determining peak value of the wave form, a direct current voltage level switch coupled to the peak value detector for switching output voltage as first direct current voltage level or second direct current voltage level, and an output end coupled to the direct current voltage level switch for outputting the output voltage.

Abstract: A power management method is to be implemented by a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device is coupled to an expansion device having at least one expansion unit, and supplies power to the expansion device. The power management method includes: (A) configuring the portable electronic device to detect whether a control command is received thereby; (B) configuring the portable electronic device to transmit a control signal corresponding to the control command to the expansion device in response to the control command; and (C) configuring the expansion device to cease supplying power to the at least one expansion unit in accordance with the control signal, thereby saving power.

Abstract: An auto-detection circuit for detecting video signals includes a reception end for receiving a video signal, a synchronization signal detector coupled to the reception end for generating a waveform according to voltage variation of the video signal, a peak value detector coupled to the synchronization signal detector for determining peak value of the wave form, a direct current voltage level switch coupled to the peak value detector for switching output voltage as first direct current voltage level or second direct current voltage level, and an output end coupled to the direct current voltage level switch for outputting the output voltage.