Abstract: The vertical filling level of electrically conductive material in a cavity of a metallurgical vessel is measured by a system including a transmitting conductor for generating an electromagnetic field when connected to an alternating power source, and a receiving conductor which senses the electromagnetic field for generation of an output signal. The conductors are arranged inside a metal casing of the vessel to co-extend with a mutual spacing defining a spacing area that faces the cavity and extends along the periphery in an essentially closed loop. The mutual spacing is selected such that changes in the output signal is dominated by changes to the electromagnetic field caused by local changes in the amount of the conductive material adjacent the spacing. Part of the spacing area defines a vertical measurement region slanted along the periphery so as to diverge from the horizontal and vertical directions of the vessel.

Abstract: A method, implemented by a software-controlled computer device and/or by dedicated hardware, for probing an electrically conductive target material, e.g. molten metal or semiconductor material, in a metallurgical vessel. In the method, a measurement signal is acquired from a sensor, which is inserted into the target material, during a relative displacement between the electrically conductive target material and the sensor, the measurement signal being indicative of electrical conductivity in the vicinity of the sensor. The measurement signal is generated to represent momentary changes in an electromagnetic field around the sensor, which is created by operating at least one coil in the sensor. Based on the measurement signal, a signal profile is generated to be indicative of the electrical conductivity as a function of the relative movement. The method enables a probing of the internal distribution of the target material in the vessel at any level of detail.

Abstract: The vertical filling level of electrically conductive material in a cavity of a metallurgical vessel is measured by a system including a transmitting conductor for generating an electromagnetic field when connected to an alternating power source, and a receiving conductor which senses the electromagnetic field for generation of an output signal. The conductors are arranged inside a metal casing of the vessel to co-extend with a mutual spacing defining a spacing area that faces the cavity and extends along the periphery in an essentially closed loop. The mutual spacing is selected such that changes in the output signal is dominated by changes to the electromagnetic field caused by local changes in the amount of the conductive material adjacent the spacing. Part of the spacing area defines a vertical measurement region slanted along the periphery so as to diverge from the horizontal and vertical directions of the vessel.

Abstract: A method, implemented by a software-controlled computer device and/or by dedicated hardware, for probing an electrically conductive target material, e.g. molten metal or semiconductor material, in a metallurgical vessel. In the method, a measurement signal is acquired from a sensor, which is inserted into the target material, during a relative displacement between the electrically conductive target material and the sensor, the measurement signal being indicative of electrical conductivity in the vicinity of the sensor. The measurement signal is generated to represent momentary changes in an electromagnetic field around the sensor, which is created by operating at least one coil in the sensor. Based on the measurement signal, a signal profile is generated to be indicative of the electrical conductivity as a function of the relative movement. The method enables a probing of the internal distribution of the target material in the vessel at any level of detail.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the thickness of material layers of a container-held substance comprising a first material disposed in an upper layer and a second material disposed in a lower layer, by transmitting a radio signal through the substance towards a container portion; receiving reflected signals from a surface of the upper layer, a surface of the second layer, and the container portion; varying the frequency of the transmitted signal to determine phase displacement between transmitted and reflected signals; determining optical distances to the surfaces and the container portion, dependent on the phase displacements; determining the thickness of one of said layers dependent on phase displacement through and index of refraction of that layer; and determining the thickness of the other layer dependent on the thickness of said one of said layers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing a substance in a container, the method comprising the steps of: disposing antenna means (3) at a predetermined geometrical distance (L) from a container portion (13); transmitting a signal from said antenna means through a surface portion (12) of the substance towards said container portion; receiving a first reflected signal in said antenna means from said container portion; determining a geometrical distance (L1) from the surface portion to the container portion; varying the frequency of the transmitted signal to determine a first phase displacement between the transmitted signal and the first reflected signal; determining an optical distance from the surface portion to the container portion based on the first phase displacement; and determining the index of refraction (nt) of said substance based on the optical and geometrical from the surface portion to the container portion.

Abstract: A method, an antenna, and a system for determining positions for reflection points using microwaves. An electromagnetic wave signal is generated at a defined frequency, and transmitted by an antenna unit the antenna unit includes a transmitter antenna and a plurality of receiver antennas, separated by a known spacing perpendicular to a main line of sight and devised to receive reflected portions of the transmitted wave. Phase comparator means are connected to the transmitter antenna and the receiver antennas, and a control unit connected to the phase comparator means is operable to calculate an angle to a reflection point from detected phase difference between at least two receiver antennas and the spacing between said at least two receiver antennas, and to calculate a distance to the reflection point from detected phase difference between the transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna dependent on the frequency.