Abstract: A molten metal sampling device for immersion into and sampling of a molten metal includes a sample chamber defined by a mold body formed of heat resistant materials encased in a sand-resin body. At least one fill tube is interconnected with the sample chamber for introduction of molten metal. An air outlet passage is provided for egress of air from the chamber. An annular sleeve of heat resistant inorganic material surrounds the outlet passage, the sleeve being adapted to receive a support tube for supporting the sampling device during use. An elongated retaining strip, preferably a wire formed of a heat resistant metal, is affixed to the mold body and extends over the sleeve, thereby anchoring the sleeve to the mold body. Preferably, a central portion of the wire is affixed to the mold body and opposite ends extend through the sleeve and over an end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A mold for sampling molten metals includes a cavity body for receiving a measured sample of a molten metal, and, an insert containing a material for promoting carbide formation in the molten metal as it cools, the insert containing a measured amount of the material in finely divided solid form. The insert may be adhered to a recess in the mold surface or within a fill inlet passage and is preferably in the form of an enclosed tube formed of thin-walled material which contains the carbide formation promoting material in finely divided solid form. The insert may be formed of a metal closed at one end by a plastic adhesive material which opens upon immersion to release a stream of the carbide formation promoting material into the fill opening of the mold.

Abstract: A protective device for a thermocouple for immersion into a molten metal bath to measure the temperature in the bath includes an elongated exterior protective body, which has an axis and is formed of a refractory composition. An interior reinforcing member is contained within the protective body extending along the axis. The reinforcing member may be in the form of a hollow tubular body which is filled with a refractory cement. A hollow tube is located within the body for protectively housing a thermocouple. A thermocouple for measuring temperatures in a molten metal bath is positioned in the hollow tube.

Abstract: A printer calibration method and system uses a personal computer equipped with a color laser server circuit card and a scanner to measure the color effects specific to a printer and to then calibrate print data to adjust for the measured printer effects. Each printer colorant is calibrated by printing a data file using the printer to be calibrated thereby generating a calibration image. The calibration image is next scanned using a scanner coupled to the printing system. The scanned data is compared to the data file which was sent to the printer to determine the relationship (an association) between the data file printed and the resulting calibration image. Color comparisons are made using an absolute density scale and thus the scanned data, being in RGB (Red, Blue, Green) format is converted to absolute density values.

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.

Abstract: An immersion probe for determination of the concentration of a gas dissolved in molten metal includes a probe body in the form of an elongated hermetically sealed housing. The body has a first end adapted to be connected to a gas inlet and a gas outlet, which first end may be hermetically sealed by a temporary sealing means. The body has a second end adapted to be immersed in molten metal, the second end is spaced from and in fluid flow communication with the first end and has a gas-permeable, liquid metal-impervious plug. The second end and the plug are hermetically sealed by a molten metal-soluble cap until melted during immersion into molten metal. An inert, dry carrier gas such as nitrogen or argon may be sealed within the probe body. A metal sleeve around the probe body, preferably of a composition fusible in and compatible with a molten metal being monitored may be used to provide a gas impermeable seal for the probe body.

Abstract: A sampling cavity for sampling molten metals includes a cavity body for receiving a measured sample of a molten metal, and, an insert containing a material for promoting carbide formation in the molten metal as it cools, the insert being in the form of an enclosed capsule formed of thin polymeric walls containing the material in finely divided solid form. The insert may be adhered within a fill inlet passage or attached at the bottom of a cup sampler having an open top either by being adhered directly to the cavity surface or by being supported in a supporting means such as a pair of fingers projecting from the bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: A sampling cavity for sampling molten metals includes a cavity body for receiving a measured sample of a molten metal, and, an insert containing a material for promoting carbide formation in the molten metal as it cools, the insert being in the form of an enclosed capsule formed of thin polymeric walls containing the material in finely divided solid form. The insert may be adhered within a fill inlet passage or attached at the bottom of a cup sampler having an open top either by being adhered directly to the cavity surface or by being supported in a supporting means such as a pair of fingers projecting from the bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: A lance thermocouple of the type used for immersion in molten metal baths is provided with means for cooling by passage of low pressure air through the interior of the thermocouple connector. Radial passageways intersecting with a central bore are provided. Optionally the air or other cooling gas is cooled further by flow through a conduit wrapped with a cooling coil containing cooling water. In accordance with the invention a supply of cooling gas at a pressure less than about 10 PSI is provided to the interior of the lance pole. The hot junction end of the thermocouple is immersed in molten metal while a stream of the cooling gas is caused to flow through the interior of the thermocouple connector, radially outward from the passages and subsequently vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and releasing individual probes from a drop mechanism or probe rack which stores a number of these probes in a ready position for future use. The probe rack includes a plurality of radially projecting pins which are connected to, or comprise the piston rods of, a plurality of radially extending air cylinders. The individual probes are each provided with hanger loops which are suspended on the support pins in a ready position. Each of the probes may have a thermocouple assembly, or an oxygen sensor, or some other type of sensor. When it is desired to drop or release one of the probes, a switch is closed on a remotely located control panel to energize the appropriate air cylinders to withdraw the pin from the probe loop and allow the selected probe to drop into the additive chute of the vessel.

Abstract: A lance thermocouple of the type used for immersion in molten metal baths is provided with means for cooling by passage of low pressure air through the interior of the thermocouple connector. Radial passageways intersecting with a central bore are provided. Optionally the air or other cooling gas is cooled further by flow through a conduit wrapped with a cooling coil containing cooling water.

Abstract: Method and sampling apparatus for obtaining accurate carbon samples in ultra-low carbon melts includes a capping system for the fill tube which uses Pyrex or low carbon steel caps, preheating or preigniting parts to burn off contaminants and a zircon coating can be employed around the immersion vehicle to prevent carbon contaminants from reaching the sample mold.

Abstract: A molten metal sampler includes an insulative pod which is joined to a paperboard sleeve which is connected to the metal handle. The pod is molded from a refractory composition and surrounds the tube and has an integral pocket to support any of a wide variety of sample molds or form a sample or mold a sample within itself adjacent to the tube. The cardboard tube can carry a heat sensor or oxygen sensor. The pod can contain a separate measuring device which can measure the cooling curve of the sample in the pod.

Abstract: An immersion sampler probe for the analysis of a molten metal bath in a BOF vessel. The probe is weighted to penetrate the slag and position a temperature sensor or oxygen sensor at an appropriate depth. A counterweight with a float ensures proper immersion depth. The float keeps the lead wires from contacting the molten metal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical connector for a repeating immersion thermocouple lance for molten metal baths which includes a temperature sensor in the connector for sensing the temperature of the lance to detect temperature build up at the cold junction of the thermocouple which could provide a false EMF reading to distort the bath temperature reading of the thermocouple.

Abstract: A molten metal sampler which can be pre-evacuated is provided with a double skirt end structure to receive, chill and solidify molten metal around the fill end to reinforce the outer tube and minimize erosion of the outer housing during immersion.

Abstract: A molten metal sampler includes a bath temperature thermocouple and cooling curve thermocouple in the sample cavity. The thermocouple tubes are mounted in a common connector and are in intersecting planes to provide a compact arrangement. The legs of the longer tube are bowed outwardly adjacent the tip of the cooling curve tube to minimize cooling effect on the tip during the cooling curve measurement. In all embodiments, a thermocouple support tube extends through the sample cavity for exposure to the molten metal to measure bath temperature.

Abstract: An insulative panel prevents heat transfer from a molten metal melt. The panel comprises a reinforced refractory slab supported along its edges. An insulation layer is placed on top of the refractory slab, thereby creating a hot zone between the molten metal and the insulation layer and a cold zone in and above the insulation layer. Reinforcing members are placed in the cold zone on top or within the insulation layer vertically above reinforcing rods in the refractory slab. Hangers extending downwardly from the reinforcing members through the insulation layer and refractory slab are joined to the reinforcing rods for supporting the reinforcing rods in the hot zone by the reinforcing or support members in the cold zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and composition of matter for constructing temperature resistant parts for the metal making industry from a mix of refractory fibers and Silca-carbon in the form of burned rice hull ash.

Abstract: A tellurium insert for a molten metal sampling cup for determining the carbon content of iron is pre-cast or cast insitu and arranged around a centrally located heat sensor tube which positively positions the insert in the sample cup.