Polysilicon particle classifying apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for classifying high purity polysilicon particles includes a receptacle for holding the particles and a rotary member for feeding the particles from the receptacle. The rotary member defines at least a portion of a front wall of the receptacle and is supported for rotation about its generally horizontally oriented longitudinal axis. A motor drives rotation of the rotary member such that a longitudinal groove passes through the receptacle to pick up particles smaller than a predetermined size and dump the captured particles onto an inclined surface disposed generally forward of the receptacle. The particles slide downwardly acquiring a velocity according to their shape. A gap between a lower edge of the inclined surface and a first receiver is sized such that only particles having more than a predetermined velocity are capable of traversing the gap to the first receiver. The remaining particles fall through the gap and into a second receiver. The receptacle, inclined surface member and first receiver are constructed with contamination inhibiting material to inhibit contamination of the particles.