Abstract: The present invention describes an axial pump for pumping liquid metal, the axial pump comprising an inlet for receiving liquid, at least one rotor, the rotor comprising a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades positioned thereon, a stator, comprising a stator hub and a plurality of stator vanes, and an outlet for discharging the liquid metal, the pump being adapted for providing efficient pumping while reducing or avoiding erosion of the pump by the liquid metal.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for analysis of a molten material using optical emission spectrometry. The molten material may be, for example, a molten metal, such as casting iron or steel, or slag, glass, or lava. A sensitive element is used having at least one emission spectrometer and at least one excitation device to effect the excitation of the molten material and to enable the partial or complete generation of a radiation to be analyzed by a spectrometer present in the sensitive element. The sensitive element is brought into contact with the molten material and transmits information, which contains analysis elements supplied by the spectrometer. An immersion sensor is also provided for carrying at least part of the device for performing the analysis method.

Abstract: The process for the on-line characterization of a surface in motion, preferably a galvannealed sheet, essentially comprises an industrial microscope associated with a stroboscopic laser illumination device, a positioning assembly, an assembly for acquiring and processing images. The obtained view fields vary between 125 ?m and 2000 ?m in width, the spatial resolution is at least 0.5 ?m, and the focussing of the system is precise to a micrometer. The images are taken on a product moving at a speed of between 1 m/s and 20 m/s and are frozen by the use of a stroboscopic illumination device with a duration of illumination of at least 10 ns. The obtained images are processed in several steps. A background average level is first of all regularly evaluated in order to be eliminated from each current image. The processed image is then divided into several zones. The sharpness of each zone is evaluated and stored in memory.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for analysis of a molten material using optical emission spectrometry. The molten material may be, for example, a molten metal, such as casting iron or steel, or slag, glass, or lava. A sensitive element is used having at least one emission spectrometer and at least one excitation device to effect the excitation of the molten material and to enable the partial or complete generation of a radiation to be analyzed by a spectrometer present in the sensitive element. The sensitive element is brought into contact with the molten material and transmits information, which contains analysis elements supplied by the spectrometer. An immersion sensor is also provided for carrying at least part of the device for performing the analysis method.

Abstract: Process for measuring distances by optical means on a specular or quasi-specular strip (1) of bright metal, characterised by the following steps: an incident light beam is emitted by a source (7) incorporated into a measurement head (10), said source projecting a pattern (11) in the form of a plurality of points, preferably a line, arranged along an axis that is essentially perpendicular to the motion direction of the metal surface, in an incidence direction upon a fixed part (5), preferably non-specular, of the installation; firstly, said beam is partially reflected by said fixed part (5) essentially along the same path as the incident beam and in the opposite direction towards a detector (8) belonging to said measurement head (10) and located in the immediate vicinity of said source (7); secondly, said beam is partially reflected towards said metal strip (1), from where it is further reflected in the direction of said detector (8).

Abstract: In a process for the inspection of the surface of a cylindrical body and more especially that of a mill roll, at least one zone of the surface is observed by means of an inspection device having an optical axis oriented towards this zone of the surface with a view to determining the state of the surface. To this end, at least one image of the zone supplied by the inspection device is captured, at least one of the images captured is analysed, the analysis of the image or images captured is compared with the analysis of a reference image, the differences between the analysis of the image or images captured and the analysis of the reference image are detected, and at least the orientation of the optical axis is adjusted so as at least to reduce and preferably to eliminate the differences found. The device can include mechanical and/or optical means of adjusting the orientation of the optical axis.

Abstract: Process for measuring distances by optical means on a specular or quasi-specular strip (1) of bright metal, characterised by the following steps:

Abstract: In a process for the inspection of the surface of a cylindrical body and more especially that of a mill roll, at least one zone of the surface is observed by means of an inspection device having an optical axis oriented towards this zone of the surface with a view to determining the state of the surface. To this end, at least one image of the zone supplied by the inspection device is captured, at least one of the images captured is analysed, the analysis of the image or images captured is compared with the analysis of a reference image, the differences between the analysis of the image or images captured and the analysis of the reference image are detected, and at least the orientation of the optical axis is adjusted so as at least to reduce and preferably to eliminate the differences found.

Abstract: The process for the on-line characterisation of a surface in motion, preferably a galvannealed sheet, essentially comprises an industrial microscope associated with a stroboscopic laser illumination device, a positioning assembly, an assembly for acquiring and processing images. The obtained view fields vary between 125 &mgr;m and 2000 &mgr;m in width, the spatial resolution is at least 0.5 &mgr;m, and the focussing of the system is precise to a micrometer. The images are taken on a product moving at a speed of between 1 m/s and 20 m/s and are frozen by the use of a stroboscopic illumination device with a duration of illumination of at least 10 ns. The obtained images are processed in several steps. A background average level is first of all regularly evaluated in order to be eliminated from each current image. The processed image is then divided into several zones. The sharpness of each zone is evaluated and stored in memory.