Cermet Tube Temperature Sensor for Molten Metals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement devices for molten metals, such as platinum rhodium thermocouples and infrared temperature measuring tubes, suffer from slow response times and accuracy issues due to thick wall structures and material mismatches, making them unsuitable for continuous casting and rapid temperature measurement applications.
Innovation Solution
A temperature measuring device featuring a cermet tube with a thin wall thickness, supported by a thicker coaxial tube, and an exhaust structure for smoke discharge, allowing for rapid heat transfer and stable blackbody cavity radiation, enabling fast and accurate temperature measurement of molten metals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the tube body is made with thick wall structure to ensure strength and service life, then the structural integrity is improved, but the temperature response time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tube body is divided into multiple layers with different functions: the outer layer provides mechanical strength and erosion resistance, while the inner layer forms a blackbody cavity for radiation measurement. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube body is nested within the outer tube body, creating a concentric structure. The inner tube forms the blackbody cavity while the outer tube provides structural support. This nested configuration allows the measurement cavity to be thin-walled for fast response while the outer structure remains thick for strength.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the outer layer is made with large wall thickness to meet strength requirements, then the service life is improved, but the heat transfer speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the tube structure have different wall thicknesses optimized for their local functions. The inner tube wall is thin to enable fast heat transfer for temperature measurement, while the outer tube wall is thick to provide mechanical strength and erosion resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between speed and durability.
3Measurement precision
If traditional thermocouples are used for temperature measurement, then the measurement capability is achieved, but the measurement cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based thermocouple system with a radiation-based temperature measurement system. The blackbody cavity emits thermal radiation that can be measured remotely by an infrared detector, eliminating the need for expensive platinum-rhodium thermocouples while maintaining measurement capability.
4Loss of time
If the tube structure is simplified for faster response, then the response speed is improved, but the erosion resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube body uses a composite structure with an outer layer made of erosion-resistant material (such as aluminum-carbon refractory castable) and an inner layer forming the blackbody cavity. This composite configuration allows the outer layer to protect against erosion while the inner structure remains optimized for fast thermal response.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves a response time of under 90 seconds, significantly improving measurement speed and accuracy, meeting the requirements for continuous casting and refining processes while reducing costs compared to traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the cermet tube can sense the temperature of molten metals and emit stable thermal radiation energy based on the blackbody cavity principle
Implementation Method 2
the exhaust structure is used to discharge the smoke inside the cermet tube and the support tube
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a temperature measuring device and a temperature measuring method for measuring the temperature of molten metals. The temperature measuring device includes a temperature sensing element, a support tube, a connecting tube and an exhaust structure. The temperature sensing element is a cermet tube with a closed end and an open end, and can sense the temperature of a molten metal and emit stable thermal radiation energy based on the blackbody cavity principle when being extended into the molten metal. The open end of the cermet tube is fixedly connected to one end of the support tube, the cermet tube is communicated with the support tube, and the other end of the support tube is fixedly connected with the connecting tube. The exhaust structure is used to discharge the smoke inside the cermet tube and the support tube.