Linton Crystal Technologies, a manufacturer of Czochralski (CZ) crystal growth equipment, has filed a civil complaint alleging patent infringement against Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical Co., Ltd. (JSG) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Filed on September 22, the complaint alleges that certain JSG CZ crystal-growth pullers, machines used to draw crystalline material out of molten silicon, infringe two U.S. patents covering seed-lifting technology developed by Linton's engineers.
The lawsuit asserts infringement claims against JSG involving U.S. Patent Nos. 11,255,024 and 11,814,746, both titled "Seed Lifting and Rotating System for Use in Crystal Growth" and invented by John A. Reese and Joel C. Stefl. The patents protect Linton's proprietary seed-lifting technology, which improves how a seed crystal is lifted and rotated during the CZ crystal growth process, a critical step in producing the monocrystalline silicon ingots used in semiconductor and solar panel manufacturing.
This technology was developed by Linton's engineering team at its headquarters in Rochester, New York, and represents a significant advancement in CZ crystal growth equipment. The seed-lifting mechanism reduces the size, weight, and complexity of conventional systems while improving performance, innovations Linton describes as essential to keeping American manufacturing competitive in the semiconductor and solar industries.
Todd Barnum, executive board member of Linton Crystal Technologies, said the company's engineers have invested decades of effort into developing industry-leading crystal growth technology in Rochester, New York. He said protecting the company's intellectual property is essential, not just for Linton, but for the broader effort to strengthen American manufacturing and innovation in the semiconductor and solar industries, and that the company will vigorously defend its patents and the work of its engineering team.
