Patents Assigned to Electro-Nite International
  • Publication number: 20120137757
    Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing samples of metal melts, wherein a sample is taken from a metal melt using a sampler having a sample chamber and which is constructed as an immersion lance. The method includes transporting the sample from the sampler through a transport conduit to the sphere of action of an analytical device, and analyzing the sample there using the analytical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Francis DAMS, Lihuan SONG, Johan KNEVELS, Gerrit BROEKMANS
  • Publication number: 20120090376
    Abstract: A device is provided for collection of gases in molten metals, the device having an immersion end with a gas collection body, a gas supply line opening at the immersion end, and a gas discharge line for gases penetrating the gas collection body. The gas collection body is impermeable to molten metal and has an end face arranged on the immersion end and side walls of the collection body. At least a portion of the gas collection body has a gas impermeable layer arranged on a surface of the side walls of the gas collection body. A measurement method is also provided using the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Erik GERITS, Paul Clement VERSTREKEN, Jos SWENNEN, Jozef Theodoor AEGTEN
  • Publication number: 20120082183
    Abstract: A drop-in probe is provided for determining phase changes of a sample removed from a molten steel by thermal analysis. The probe includes a measurement head that has an immersion end and in which is arranged a sample chamber having an inlet opening and a thermocouple projecting with its hot solder joint into the sample chamber and having a cable bushing for signal cables of the thermocouple. The cable bushing emerges from the measurement head out of a discharge opening on an end of the measurement head opposite the immersion end. A straight line between the immersion end and the discharge opening forms a longitudinal axis of the measurement head, and a theoretical plane through the hot solder joint and through a part of the inlet opening farthest away from the immersion end is formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventor: Dries Beyens
  • Patent number: 8141439
    Abstract: A device is provided for sampling metal melts, in particular molten iron and molten cast iron, with a sample chamber having an inlet opening and tellurium arranged in the sample chamber. The sample chamber contains 0.01 to 0.05 g/cm3 tellurium based on the volume of the sample chamber and the tellurium is in powder form having an average particle size of at most 150 ?m. Additionally or alternatively, the tellurium is in powder form having an average particle size of at least 150 ?m and a specific surface area of 0.03 to 0.1 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Johan Knevels
  • Publication number: 20120055958
    Abstract: A pouring nozzle is provided for use in a container for metal melts. The pouring nozzle has an inner wall surrounding a through-flow opening for metal melts and an outer housing. During operation of the pouring nozzle a pressure of at maximum 500 mbar exists between the inner wall and the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Francis Dams, Martin Kendall
  • Patent number: 8104325
    Abstract: A device is provided for collection of gases in molten metals, the device having an immersion end with a gas collection body, a gas supply line opening at the immersion end, and a gas discharge line for gases penetrating the gas collection body. The gas collection body has an end face arranged on the immersion end and side walls of the collection body, and at least one part of the gas collection body has a gas impermeable layer. A measurement method is also provided using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Erik Gerits, Paul Clement Verstreken, Jos Swennen, Jozef Theodoor Aegten
  • Publication number: 20110308319
    Abstract: A measuring probe is provided for measuring and taking samples in a metal melt. The probe has a measuring head arranged on a lance, wherein the measuring head carries at least a temperature sensor and a sampling chamber, and wherein the sampling chamber is surrounded, at least partially, by the measuring head and includes an intake duct that extends through the measuring head. The intake duct includes an inner section, which extends in the measuring head and has a length L and a minimum diameter D at least at one site in the inner section. The ratio L/D2 is less than 0.6 mm?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Guido Jacobus Neyens, Dries Beyens
  • Patent number: 8071012
    Abstract: A temperature measuring device for molten metal includes a porous plug with a first end and an opposed second end, an outer protective sheath with a closed end, an inner protective tube with a closed end, and a thermocouple arranged within an interior of the inner protective tube. The outer protective sheath extends away from the first end of the plug and the inner protective tube is arranged within an interior of the outer protective sheath. The porous plug comprises a substantially refractory material and the outer protective sheath consists essentially of substantially refractory metal oxide and graphite. A junction of the thermocouple is proximate to the closed end of the inner protective tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Martin Kendall
  • Publication number: 20110280278
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement is provided for temperature measurement in melts, in particular in metal or cryolite melts having a melting point above 600° C., using a temperature sensor. A method for the measurement with this sensor arrangement is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Jan CUYPERS, Valère INDEHERBERGE
  • Publication number: 20110247458
    Abstract: A method is provided for influencing the properties of cast iron by adding magnesium to the cast iron melt and measuring the oxygen content of the cast iron melt. Magnesium is added to the cast iron melt until the oxygen content of the cast iron melt is approximately 0.005 to 0.2 ppm at a temperature of approximately 1,420° C. A sensor for measuring the oxygen content in cast iron melts contains an electrochemical measuring cell containing a solid electrolyte tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventor: Danny HABETS
  • Patent number: 8033717
    Abstract: A device is provided for temperature measurement in metal melts, particularly in iron or steel melts, having a thermoelement, which is arranged in a thermoelement tube, and having an exterior protective body, which is essentially formed of graphite and metal oxide. The thermoelement tube is arranged in the protective body with a spacing, forming an intermediate space, and an insulating material and an oxygen-reducing material are arranged in the intermediate space. The insulating material and the oxygen-reducing material, as a powder mixture, form a tube (2), which surrounds the thermoelement tube (3) with a spacing and/or which is surrounded by the protective body (1) with a spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Martin Kendall
  • Patent number: 8017069
    Abstract: A ceramic seating stone is provided for use in or on a metallurgical vessel for holding molten metal. The stone is formed as a whole or in parts of ceramic fibers, hollow ceramic spheres and/or foam ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Martin Kendall
  • Patent number: 8012405
    Abstract: A method for regulating metal melt throughflow through a melt throughflow aperture in a bottom nozzle of a metallurgical vessel is provided. The bottom nozzle has an upper nozzle arranged in a floor of the metallurgical vessel and a lower nozzle arranged below the upper nozzle. The method includes introducing inert gas through at least one inert gas inlet aperture into the melt throughflow aperture in the bottom nozzle, arranging a temperature sensor on or in the lower nozzle for determining a temperature in a wall of the bottom nozzle, and regulating an inert gas supply into the bottom nozzle using measurement signals from the sensor. A decrease in the temperature signals an increase of metal clogging and an increase in the temperature signals a decrease of metal clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Martin Kendall
  • Patent number: 8001856
    Abstract: A sampling device for molten metals is provided having a carrier tube and a sample chamber fixed in the carrier tube, with an inlet piece for the molten metal flowing into the sample chamber. In the inlet piece there is arranged an inlet tube, which has an outlet into the sample chamber and an inlet opening at its other end. The outlet as well as the inlet opening of the inlet tube has a reduced cross section relative to the central part of the inlet tube. The inlet tube is formed of quartz glass, and the wall of the inlet tube is crimped toward the axis of the inlet tube at its two ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Knevels, Frank Mingneau, Guido Neyens
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110192324
    Abstract: A device is provided for use at temperatures above 1000° C. or in steel melts. The device has a body based on a material selected from at least one of high temperature-resistant hollow balls and high temperature-resistant hollow fibers. The body further contains water glass and a cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventor: Johan KNEVELS
  • Publication number: 20110094920
    Abstract: A container for molten metal includes an outlet for outflow of the molten metal from the container and a temperature measuring device fixed in a wall of the container. The temperature measuring device includes a plug, an outer protective sheath having a closed end, and an inner protective tube having a closed end. The inner protective tube is arranged within the outer protective sheath. A thermocouple is arranged within the inner protective tube. The plug includes a substantially refractory material and the outer protective sheath consists essentially of substantially refractory metal oxide and graphite. The outer protective sheath extends away from the first end of the plug and projects into a recessed portion of the wall of the container. The closed end of the outer protective sheath is arranged in the recessed portion. A junction of the thermocouple is proximate to the closed end of the inner protective tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventor: Martin KENDALL
  • Publication number: 20110083958
    Abstract: A measuring device is provided having a protective cover and a sensor arranged in the protective cover. The protective cover has a carrier tube made of metal and closed on one end. A first coating made of an aluminum non-wettable material is arranged on an outer surface of the carrier tube, and a further coating made of aluminum-wettable material is applied on the first coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: HERAEUS ELECTRO-NITE INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Verstreken, Jozef Theodoor Aegten
  • Patent number: 7891867
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring a parameter of a molten metal bath by an optical fiber surrounded by a cover. The optical fiber is immersed in the molten bath, and the radiation absorbed by the optical fiber in the molten bath is fed to a detector, wherein the optical fiber is heated when immersed in the molten bath. The heating curve of the optical fiber has at least one point P(t0, T0), wherein the increase ?T1 in the temperature T of the optical fiber over the time ?t in a first time interval t0??t up to the temperature T0 is smaller than the increase ?T2 in the temperature of the optical fiber over the time ?t in an immediately following second time interval t0+?t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Francis Dams, Frank Seutens, Robert C. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 7876095
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determination of at least one interface of a slag layer on top of a molten metal. The apparatus has a carrier tube and a measuring head arranged on one end of the carrier tube with a body fixed within the carrier tube and an end face facing away from the carrier tube. The apparatus further includes an oscillator arranged within the measuring head and an induction coil connected with the oscillator and arranged outside of the body and in front of its end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Knevels, Guido Cappa