Of Molten Metal (e.g., Carbon Content) Patents (Class 374/26)
  • Patent number: 9128013
    Abstract: A sampler is provided for taking samples from melts having a melting point higher than 600° C., in particular for metal or cryolite melts. The sampler includes a carrier tube having an immersion end and having a sample chamber assembly arranged on the immersion end of the carrier tube. The assembly has an inlet opening and a sample cavity for the melt and is arranged at least partly inside the carrier tube. The sample chamber assembly has on a part of its outer surface a coupling device, arranged inside the carrier tube, for coupling a carrier lance. A method is also provided for taking samples using such a sampler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Lihuan Song, Gerrit Broekmans, Guido Jacobus Neyens, Dries Beyens
  • Patent number: 7998399
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the determination of at least one parameter of a molten metal or a slag layer lying on top of the molten metal. The apparatus has a carrier tube, a measuring head arranged on one end of the carrier tube with a body fixed in the carrier tube. An A/D converter is arranged within the measuring head or the carrier tube, and the A/D converter is connected to at least one sensor arranged in or on the measuring head. The measuring head has a contact piece, which is electrically connected via its contact terminals to the signal output of the A/D converter, and the contact piece is connected to a lance inserted into the carrier tube. No more than two signal lines are arranged within the lance, the signal lines each being connected at one end via a contact terminal of the contact piece to the A/D converter and at an opposite end to a computer or an analysis device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Francis Dams, Guido Jacobus Neyens
  • Patent number: 7954423
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for determining crystallization solidification curves of a chocolate mass (6) includes a removal location (37), a measurement chamber (9) and a melting chamber (21). The removal location (37) serves to remove a liquid sample (38) of chocolate mass (6) from a flow of liquid chocolate mass (6). The measurement chamber (9) is connected to the removal location (37) such that the liquid sample (38) of chocolate mass (6) enters the measurement chamber (9). The measurement chamber (9) includes a temperature sensor (16) serving to sense the temperature of the sample (38) of chocolate mass (6) contained in the measurement chamber (9). The measurement chamber (9) includes a cooled wall serving for solidification of the liquid sample (38) of chocolate mass (6) contained in the measurement chamber (9). The measurement chamber (9) includes a movable piston (14; 41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Sollich KG
    Inventor: Thomas Sollich
  • Patent number: 7635220
    Abstract: A device is provided for measuring the cooling curve of melts and/or the heating curve of melt samples with an optical fiber, wherein an immersion end of the optical fiber having an at least partially free surface is surrounded with a spacing by a temperature-resistant sample-receiving chamber. The optical fiber is immersed with its immersion end in the melt, and a sample is thereby formed in the sample-receiving chamber. The sample-receiving chamber with the sample and the optical fiber are thereafter pulled out of the molten metal. The cooling curve of the sample and/or, after previous solidification of the sample, the temperature profile during heating is measured with reference to a signal obtained by the optical fiber and forwarded to a measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Francis Dams, Jacques Plessers, Paul Clement Verstreken
  • Patent number: 7384192
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the cooling curve of melts and/or the heating curve of melt samples with an optical fiber, wherein an immersion end of the optical fiber having an at least partially free surface is surrounded with a spacing by a temperature-resistant sample-receiving chamber. The optical fiber is immersed with its immersion end in the melt, and a sample is thereby formed in the sample-receiving chamber. The sample-receiving chamber with the sample and the optical fiber are thereafter pulled out of the molten metal. The cooling curve of the sample and/or, after previous solidification of the sample, the temperature profile during heating is measured with reference to a signal obtained by the optical fiber and forwarded to a measurement device. In addition, a corresponding device is provided for the measuring method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Francis Dams, Jacques Plessers, Paul Clement Verstreken
  • Publication number: 20040003648
    Abstract: A nethod for determining carbon and silicon contents in a molten cast iron is disclosed. The method consists of steps for carrying out thermal analysis the molten cast iron poured into a first sampling vessel to which a small amount of tellurium is added and a second sampling vessel to which a small amount of silicon is added, and comparing the primsary crystal temperatures in the molten cast iron in the first and second sampling vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mayuki Morinaka, Tsuyoshi Okuzono
  • Patent number: 6454459
    Abstract: A device for thermal analysis of molten metals comprising two thermocouples is described. It comprises a mould (1) with a spherical cavity (2), the one thermocouple (3) being placed such that it extends over the central portion of the cavity (2), a cylindrical duct (5) which communicates with the cavity (2) and a cylindrical part (7) which communicates with the lower portion of the cavity (2), the other thermocouple (6) being placed in the transition between the cavity (2) and the cylindrical part (7). A process for thermal analysis of molten metals with the aid of the device is also described. The difference in temperature (11) in the temperature/time curve for the thermocouple which is centrally placed and the lower themocouple which is peripherally placed when the solidus temperature determined by means of the centrally placed thermocouple (3) has been reached is used as a measure of the thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Novacast AB
    Inventors: Rudolf Valentin Sillén, Kjell Pettersson, Häkan Fransson
  • Patent number: 6345910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the magnesium content in molten aluminum alloy by thermal analysis by determining on a cooling curve the eutectic temperature, and substituting the above eutectic temperature in a formula of Mg={(577−TE)/4.4}×Si/12.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Science Ltd.
    Inventor: Mayuki Morinaka
  • Patent number: 6189479
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-sensitive warning device and a related method for visually detecting an increase in the temperature of the outer surface of an electrical insulator, which may indicate the unsafe flow of leakage electrical current through the electrical insulator, prior to a fire, an explosion or some other unsafe event. When the temperature of the outer surface of the electrical insulator increases to a preselected temperature, a visual indication of this rise in temperature will be provided by the ejection of a spool from a heat-sensitive warning device which has been attached to the outside of the electrical insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventor: Arthur J. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5833366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the freezing points of a metal by inducing solidification in a cooling liquid metal sample in a supercooled state and utilizing specific detected peak values or changes in slope in a temperature/time plot as the sample cools, begins solidification and recalesces. It was found that the maximum temperature reached after the second rise, if two rises occur, the maximum of a single rise, or the temperature at which the rate of temperature drop decreases, if no temperature rise occurs, provides a useful approximation of the liquidus temperature and hence the freezing point of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventor: Che Keung Ma
  • Patent number: 5727880
    Abstract: Method and apparatus provided for visibly outlining the energy zone to be measured by a radiometer. The method comprises the steps of providing a laser sighting device on the radiometer adapted to emit at least one laser beam against a surface whose temperature is to be measured and positioning said laser beam about the energy zone to visibly outline said energy zone. The apparatus comprises a laser sighting device adapted to emit at least one laser beam against the surface and means to position said laser beam about the energy zone to visibly outline said energy zone. The laser beam may be rotated about the periphery of the energy zone. In another embodiment, a pair of laser beams are projected on opposite sides of the energy zone. The laser beam may be further pulsed on and off in a synchronized manner so as to cause a series of intermittent lines to outline the energy zone. Such an embodiment improves the efficiency of the laser and results in a brighter laser beam being projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Omega Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton B. Hollander, W. Earl McKinley
  • Patent number: 5720553
    Abstract: A process of determining carbon content silicon content and carbon equivalent of molten iron includes immersion into the molten iron of an analysis device having a mold chamber with a temperature measuring device extending into the chamber. The temperature measuring device is operatively connected to a device for continuously monitoring and recording the temperature. The mold chamber is provided with at least one inner wall of a metal which serves as a heat sink for molten metal introduced into the mold chamber. A layer of thermally insulating material surrounds the mold whereby heat transfer from molten metal into the chamber is minimized. The mold, after dipping is removed into the ambient environment. The temperature of the sample is continuously measured as it cools. The rate of cooling is continually computed and the derived rate of cooling curve is used to identify parameters of the sample from analysis of the rate of cooling over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Midwest Instrument Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Falk
  • Patent number: 5503475
    Abstract: In measuring a cooling curve by means of thermal analysis of cast iron, a compressed powder moulding or sintered moulding of tellurium, bismuth, boron, zinc and/or aluminum is fixed to the inner surface of a cooling curve measuring cup, and a melt is poured into said cup when primaly crystalized and eutectic temperatures based on the metastable solidification of iron, cementite and silicon cleary appear. This method allows the carbon equivalent, carbon content and silicon content of the cast iron to be determined and the physical and mechanical properties of the iron to be estimated. Additionally, said compressed metallic powder moulding or sintered moulding is arranged at and fixed to said cooling curve measuring cup used in the method, while enclosing a thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Metec Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5337799
    Abstract: A method relating to the production of cast iron castings with compacted graphite crystals. The method comprises controlling and correcting the composition of the cast iron melt and securing the necessary amount of structure modifying agent. A sample of the melt is taken with a sample vessel provided with two thermocouples, one positioned so as to be in the centre of the sample and the other positioned so as to be in the vicinity of the vessel wall. The vessel wall contains or is coated with a layer of a substance which will lower the concentration of dissolved elementary magnesium in the melt in the vicinity of the vessel wall by at least 0.0030%. The temperature/time values obtained through two temperature responsive means are recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Sintercast AB
    Inventor: Stig L. Backerud
  • Patent number: 5043905
    Abstract: Method for controlling a process melt of two-phase cast brass, whereby the cast properties of said process melt, the dezincification resistance of the piece cast from said melt and the required analysis corrections can be estimated. The method according to the invention is based on phase transformations in the brass occurring during solidification and cooling, on effective Cu percentage and on measurement and interpretation of the cooling curve by means of a computer which writes out the conclusions it has drawn about the quality of the melt and recommends the needed analysis corrections, whereby the alloying elements are copper, zinc and aluminum. A sample of the melt to be analyzed is poured into a crucible (A) which has a thermoelement (A1) and which is insulated (A3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventors: Arno Louvo, Tapio Rantala, Veijo Rauta
  • Patent number: 5033320
    Abstract: A device to determine phase transitions by means of thermal analysis using a sample taken from molten metal comprises an expendable measuring probe with a solidification chamber into which the molten metal flows, whereby the solidification chamber contains a thermocouple with which the course of cooling is recorded over a specific time period. According to the invention, the side walls of the solidification chamber 3 comprise a metal casing 4 that completely surrounds the chamber and extends lengthwise of the measuring probe 1. Both open ends of the casing 4 are covered by plugs 5,6 made of a material whose heat conductivity is substantially less than that of the casing material. The casing is completely surrounded by a covering 2,8 which is made of a material whose heat conductivity is substantially less than that of the metal casing. The supply orifice for the molten metal comprises a quartz pipe 9 surrounded by a metal pipe 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Christiaan E. E. Baerts
  • Patent number: 5024086
    Abstract: The level of the surface of a bath of molten metal beneath a fluid layer of slag in a metallurgical vessel is measured by a detector which is moved through the slag layer into the metal bath and then withdrawn. To improve accuracy and to avoid the need for a separate measurement the detector used comprises an oxygen concentration sensor which emits signals indicating the boundary between the molten metal and the slag, whereby the height of said boundary is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Hoogovens Groep B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Heijne
  • Patent number: 4842418
    Abstract: A device for measuring both the phase change temperature of a sample of a molten metal bath and the actual bath temperature by means of a single thermocouple. The device having a chamber defined by a housing such that the housing will be consumed by the molten metal bath after determination of the phase change temperature of the sample within the chamber. After consumption of the housing, the sample remelts into the bath and the thermocouple determines the bath temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Electro-Nite Company
    Inventor: Richard Conti
  • Patent number: 4443118
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the carbon content of steel melts by thermal analysis by determining on a cooling curve the arrest point occurring during the liquidis phase change, the carbon content being determined by the arrest point temperature in conjunction with the iron-carbon diagram. In the method, the temperature difference is measured between two arrest points occurring during the liquidus-phase change and a phase transformation and the measured temperature difference is used to determine the carbon content in conjunction with the iron-carbon-diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Electro-Nite Co.
    Inventor: Omer P. I. Cure
  • Patent number: 4362562
    Abstract: A method of causing a sample of pig iron to solidify to a white structure by adding misch metal to the sampling cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Electro-Nite
    Inventor: Jacques J. P. Plessers
  • Patent number: 4358948
    Abstract: A metallographic structure such as nodularity in castings to be made from molten metal is predicted by causing one part of the sample to rapidly solidify at a first rate and a second part of the sample to solidify at a slower rate. The temperature of at least said one part of the sample is measured during solidification. After solidification of the one part of the sample, the heat conductivity of the sample is used to predict the metallographic structure of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Electro-Nite Co.
    Inventor: Jacques Plessers
  • Patent number: 4355907
    Abstract: In apparatus for picking up a test sample of molten metal or metal alloys and measuring the cooling curve of said sample, comprising a sample receptor and an optical conductor leading from the receptor to a transducer, the receptor is a small, open ended refractory tube having a cavity for receiving the molten sample arranged at the free extremity of a lance with the optical conductor contained within the lance and terminating at the cavity in said receptor and a barrier is disposed between the cavity and the optical conductor, the barrier consisting of a heat resistant, highly thermally conductive material of such quality as to cause the material of the melt sample which is picked up to adhere thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Verein zur Forderung der Giesserei-Industrie
    Inventors: Kurt Orths, Milan Lampic, Peter Berger, Jorg Muller, Herbert Loblich