High-Density Immersion Probe for Molten Steel Slag Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing immersion probes for molten steel analysis lack precision, particularly in converter environments, due to difficulties in penetrating slag and obtaining reliable measurements during the blowing process.
Innovation Solution
The immersion probe design features a measuring head with a density of at least 7 g/cm³ between the immersion end and a perpendicular plane, an inlet opening at the immersion end or between this plane and the immersion end, and a metal body extending to the cable outlet, allowing vertical penetration and enabling precise measurement of carbon content and temperature during the blowing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the measuring head has a low density (less than 7 g/cm³), then the probe can be easily lowered into molten metal, but the probe cannot effectively penetrate the slag layer and achieve stable measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the measuring head to at least 7 g/cm³, which is higher than conventional probes. This parameter change enables the probe to effectively penetrate the slag layer and achieve stable measurements during converter blowing, while still allowing the probe to be lowered into molten metal through controlled dropping mechanisms
2Productivity
If the inlet opening diameter is small, then the sample chamber fills quickly, but the probe cannot effectively penetrate the slag layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the inlet opening diameter should be at least one-third of the sample chamber diameter, which is a significant increase from conventional designs. This parameter change enables the probe to penetrate the slag layer effectively while maintaining rapid sampling capability through the enlarged opening
3Reliability
If the measuring head density is increased to at least 7 g/cm³, then the probe can penetrate slag and achieve stable measurements, but the probe requires more force to lower into the molten metal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dropping mechanism that utilizes gravitational force to counterbalance the increased weight of the high-density measuring head. By controlling the drop from a specific height, the system converts gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy, enabling the heavy probe to penetrate the slag layer and immerse into molten metal without requiring additional forcing mechanisms
4Productivity
If the probe penetrates almost vertically into molten metal during blowing, then the entire process can be optimized and gas introduction minimized, but the probe structure must withstand extreme mechanical and thermal stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure for the measuring head that combines materials with high mechanical strength and thermal resistance. This composite construction enables the probe to withstand the extreme mechanical stresses of vertical penetration during converter blowing and the thermal stresses of direct contact with molten metal, thereby achieving process optimization without sacrificing structural durability
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 probe effectively penetrates molten metal, allowing for precise analysis of carbon content and temperature measurement, optimizing the steel-making process by minimizing gas introduction and ensuring reliable, reproducible results.
Implementation Method 1
A probe is described here, which is lowered from a greater height on a signal cable into molten metal
Implementation Method 2
a thermocouple with its hot soldering point protruding into the sample chamber
Implementation Method 3
the measuring head has a density of at least 7 g/cm³ between the immersion end and a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the measuring head and extending away from the immersion end
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an insertion probe for determining the phase transitions of a sample taken from a steel melt by thermal analysis, having a measurement head comprising an immersion end, in which a sample chamber comprising an inlet opening and a thermoelement having the hot solder location thereof extending into the sample chamber are disposed, and comprising a cable penetration for signal cables of the thermoelement, wherein the cable penetration exits out of an outlet opening at an end of the measurement head opposite the immersion end, and wherein a line between the immersion end and the outlet opening forms a longitudinal axis of the measurement head, wherein a virtual plane is formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at each of the hot solder location and the part of the inlet opening furthest away from the immersion end, and that a) either the measurement head comprising a density of at least 6 g/cm3 between the immersion end and the plane furthest away from the immersion end, or that b) the measurement head comprises a density of at least 6.5 g/cm3 between the immersion end and an auxiliary plan formed at a distance of at least 10 mm from the plane furthest away from the immersion end and parallel to the same.