Abstract: A scanner assembly is configured to be mounted on a scanner manipulator arm, to be placed in proximity to an opening in a vessel or inserted into an opening in a vessel, and to measure distances from a scanner emitter/sensor within the scanner assembly to a plurality of points on the surface of the refractory lining to characterize the concave interior of the vessel in a single scan. A scanner manipulator having a manipulator arm attached to the scanner assembly maintains the scanner assembly in measurement positions. A control system controls the position of the scanner assembly, the orientation of the emitter sensor, and the acquisition, storage, processing and presentation of measurements produced by the emitter/sensor. The field of view obtained from the scanner assembly in a single scan exceeds a hemisphere.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for autonomously characterizing the refractory lining in a container using an scanner that includes a scanning laser range finding system, a control system being communicatively connected to the laser scanning system to control the scanner; and a robotic vehicle having a controller communicatively connected to the control system and a drive system to propel the scanner autonomously in an area adjacent to the container, wherein characterization of the refractory lining is performed by comparing refractory thickness values determined from the distances measured from the laser scanning system to the surface of the refractory lining and the relative position of the scanner and the container, and comparing the same to a reference measurement of the refractory lining.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to characterize the wear and measure temperature of a surface of a lining of a metallurgical container. Wear characterization is accomplished by a scanning device by making thickness measurements of the lining and surface temperature measurements are made using a two-color pyrometer integrated with the scanning device where surface temperature is measured by correlating a ratio of two light intensities to the surface temperature. A controller controls operation of the scanning device and the two-color pyrometer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to characterize the wear and measure temperature of a surface of a lining of a metallurgical container. Wear characterization is accomplished by a scanning device by making thickness measurements of the lining and surface temperature measurements are made using a two-color pyrometer integrated with the scanning device where surface temperature is measured by correlating a ratio of two light intensities to the surface temperature. A controller controls operation of the scanning device and the two-color pyrometer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for the characterization of the integrity and profile measurement of a caster mold by use of a scanning device, a positioning fixture, and a data reduction device connected to the scanning device, the data reduction device being configured to characterize the integrity and to measure the profile of the caster mold by comparing scanned distances to reference distance values.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to detect and measure cracks in the lining of a container. A typical apparatus includes a scanning device to acquire a cloud of data points by measuring distances from the scanning device to a plurality of points on the surface of lining material and a controller to fit a polygonal mesh and a minimum surface through the cloud of data points, a crack being detected by a portion of the polygonal mesh containing a connected group of polygons that extends past the minimum surface beyond a threshold distance.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for the characterization of the integrity and profile measurement of a caster mold by use of a scanning device, a positioning fixture, and a data reduction device connected to the scanning device, the data reduction device being configured to characterize the integrity and to measure the profile of the caster mold by comparing scanned distances to reference distance values.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods to monitor the integrity of a container protected by a refractory material are disclosed having a first radiation detector to measure an external surface temperature of the container, a first radiation source to measure a thickness of the refractory material, and a central controller configured to display to a user the measurement of the external surface temperature of the container and the measurement of the thickness of the refractory material.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods to monitor the integrity of a container protected by a refractory material are disclosed having a first radiation detector to measure an external surface temperature of the container, a first radiation source to measure a thickness of the refractory material, and a central controller configured to display to a user the measurement of the external surface temperature of the container and the measurement of the thickness of the refractory material.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for measuring mean particle size and concentration of a polydispersion of agglomerates are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a light source; a focusing lens to form a probe volume; a first light detector positioned at a first angular position from the beam of light; and a second light detector positioned at a second angular position from the first direction of the beam of light, the mean particle size and concentration being determined using nearly invariant functions of a ratio of the light scattered measured by the first and second detectors.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for measuring mean particle size and concentration of a polydispersion of agglomerates are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a light source; a focusing lens to form a probe volume; a first light detector positioned at a first angular position from the beam of light; and a second light detector positioned at a second angular position from the first direction of the beam of light, the mean particle size and concentration being determined using nearly invariant functions of a ratio of the light scattered measured by the first and second detectors.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for measuring mean particle size and concentration of a polydispersion of agglomerates are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a light source; a focusing lens to form a probe volume; a first light detector positioned at a first angular position from the beam of light; and a second light detector positioned at a second angular position from the first direction of the beam of light, the mean particle size and concentration being determined using nearly invariant functions of a ratio of the light scattered measured by the first and second detectors.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for measuring mean particle size and concentration of a polydispersion of agglomerates are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a light source; a focusing lens to form a probe volume; a first light detector positioned at a first angular position from the beam of light; and a second light detector positioned at a second angular position from the first direction of the beam of light, the mean particle size and concentration being determined using nearly invariant functions of a ratio of the light scattered measured by the first and second detectors.