Patents by Inventor Zhenming Wu

Zhenming Wu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • CRYSTAL GROWTH APPARATUS WITH LOAD-CENTERED APERTURE, AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEAT EXTRACTION FROM A CRUCIBLE
    Publication number: 20110220012
    Abstract: A crystal growth apparatus includes a crucible arranged on a support mechanism, and at least two plates formed below the support mechanism and movable in a coordinated manner to form a symmetrical aperture centered with respect to an ingot being formed in the crucible, and a drive mechanism for driving the plates with one degree of freedom. The plates open in a plurality of discrete positions to form an aperture that is load centered with respect to the ingot being formed, in order to promote directional solidification of the ingot being formed, and thus achieve a desired convex profile of the ingot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GT SOLAR, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhenming Wu, Dean C. Skelton, Brett C. Forlano
  • Furnaces having dual gas screens and methods for operating the same
    Publication number: 20050042559
    Abstract: Furnace assemblies are provided including a furnace defining an internal process chamber extending therethrough. A first gas screen is coupled to the furnace. The first gas screen is configured to introduce a first gas into the internal process chamber at a first end of the furnace. A second gas screen is positioned adjacent to the first gas screen at an opposite end of the first gas screen from the furnace. The second gas screen is configured to introduce a second gas to provide a seal for the first end of the furnace. The furnace may be a draw furnace and the process chamber may be an internal draw chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Lindwood Bird, John Jewell, David Surratt, Zhenming Wu
  • Furnaces having dual gas screens and methods for operating the same
    Publication number: 20030041628
    Abstract: Furnace assemblies are provided including a furnace defining an internal process chamber extending therethrough. A first gas screen is coupled to the furnace. The first gas screen is configured to introduce a first gas into the internal process chamber at a first end of the furnace. A second gas screen is positioned adjacent to the first gas screen at an opposite end of the first gas screen from the furnace. The second gas screen is configured to introduce a second gas to provide a seal for the first end of the furnace. The furnace may be a draw furnace and the process chamber may be an internal draw chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Lindwood A. Bird, John M. Jewell, David G. Surratt, Zhenming Wu