1. Method for the production of silicon from silyl halides, wherein in a first step, the silyl halide is converted, with the generation of a plasma discharge, to a halogenated polysilane, which is subsequently decomposed to silicon, in a second step, with heating.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein compounds of the type HnSiX4\u2212n (X=F, Cl, Br, I; n=0-3) or mixtures of them are used as silyl halides.
3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the plasma discharge is generated in a gas that consists of silyl halide or contains it.
4. Method according to claim 1 wherein the plasma discharge is generated in a gas into which a gas that consists of silyl halide or contains it is subsequently mixed.
5. Method according to claim 3, wherein the gas in which the plasma discharge is generated additionally contains hydrogen andor a diluting inert gas andor admixtures that promote the plasma discharge.
6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the plasma discharge is supported by means of the introduction of free charge carriers into the discharge zone.
7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the free charge carriers are generated by means of applying a high voltage between electrodes.
8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the plasma discharge is generated by means of radiating in an electromagnetic alternating field.
9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the production of the halogenated polysilane takes place at a pressure of 0.1 to 1000 hPa.
10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the gas that contains silyl halide when it enters into a reactor in which production of the halogenated polysilane takes place lies between minus 67\xb0 C. and 100\xb0 C., and the temperature of the gas mixture that leaves the reactor amounts to less than 400\xb0 C.
11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the wall of the reactor in which production of the halogenated polysilane takes place is held to less than 400\xb0 C.
12. Method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature for decomposition of the halogenated polysilane amounts to more than 500\xb0 C.
13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the decomposition of the halogenated polysilane takes place under reduced pressure.
14. Method according to claim 1, wherein a gas stream is passed through the apparatus being used, during the decomposition of the halogenated polysilane.
15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the gas stream that is passed through the apparatus during the decomposition of the polysilane contains hydrogen.
16. Method according to claim 14, wherein the gas stream that is passed through the apparatus during the decomposition of the polysilane consists of inert gases.
17. Method according to claim 1, wherein the decomposition to silicon takes place within or outside of a reactor.
18. Method according to claim 1, wherein the gas in which the plasma discharge is generated contains hydrogen halide.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a steering column for operatively mounting a hand controller used for controlling steering of the vehicle;
a support member disposed adjacent said steering column;
a rake pivot connection coupling said steering column to said support member enabling said steering column to pivot about an axis of said rake pivot connection along a rake adjust path for adjusting a rake position of said steering column; and
a torsion spring disposed about said axis acting between said steering column and said support member to provide a constant spring bias force therebetween.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said torsion spring is wound about said axis.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said support member comprises a pivot bolt.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said support member comprises a bracket mountable stationarily to support structure of the vehicle.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said torsion spring includes at least a pair of axially spaced coiled body sections encircling said pivot bolt.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said coiled body sections terminate at free ends thereof in end leg portions.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said coiled body section are joined by an intermediate leg portion.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said end leg portions engage one of said steering column and said bracket, and said intermediate leg engages the other of said steering column and said bracket.
9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said intermediate leg portion is angularly offset form said end leg portions.
10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said steering column includes a rake adjust released lock mechanism positionable between an unlocked condition for enabling pivotable rake movement of said steering column about said axis and a locked condition for securing said column in a selected position of rake adjustment.
11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said steering column is adjustable telescopically.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said steering column includes an upper column jacket and a lower column jacket, said upper column jacket being selectively slideable telescopically relative to said lower column jacket.
13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said torsion spring is carried by said lower column jacket in spaced, non-reactive relation to said upper column jacket so as not to impair the telescopic adjustment of said upper and lower column jackets.
14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said torsion spring exerts substantially uniform counter-active spring force through said adjustment of said rake position along said rake adjust path.
15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said torsion spring supports said steering column unassisted in any position of rake adjustment along said rake adjustment path.
16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said steering column includes an upper column jacket, a lower column jacket, and an upper steering shaft extending through said upper and lower column jackets.
17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said upper steering shaft includes a lower joint end that angulates with said pivotal rake movement of said steering column.