Molten Metal Probe with Level Sensor for Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional molten metal measuring systems face challenges in accurately determining the immersion depth of a probe in molten metal due to the presence of a molten slag layer, leading to incorrect measurements, potential damage from spattering molten slag, and decreased productivity in steel manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A molten metal measuring system with a probe that includes a metal detection sensor and a data creation device to output a stop signal when the probe passes through the slag layer and detects the molten metal level, ensuring accurate immersion at a predetermined depth, preventing damage and improving productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the probe is immersed deeper to ensure accurate measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the sub-lance may be damaged by molten slag spattering and heat affection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the molten metal level using the metal detection sensor before immersing the probe. The control device calculates the required immersion depth based on the detected level, ensuring the probe stops at the correct position without being too deep or too shallow, thus preventing damage while ensuring accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal detection sensor provides real-time feedback on the molten metal level during the immersion process. The control device uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the sub-lance position and stop the probe at the precise depth, preventing both over-immersion (damage risk) and under-immersion (measurement error).
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the probe is immersed shallower to avoid damage from molten slag, then safety is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to unstable temperature and poor sample extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the molten metal level using the metal detection sensor before immersing the probe. The control device calculates the required immersion depth based on the detected level, ensuring the probe stops at the correct position without being too deep or too shallow, thus preventing damage while ensuring accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal detection sensor provides real-time feedback on the molten metal level during the immersion process. The control device uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the sub-lance position and stop the probe at the precise depth, preventing both over-immersion (damage risk) and under-immersion (measurement error).
3Measurement precision
If the molten metal level is detected in advance using a separate level measuring device, then immersion position accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional time required
Solution Approach 1:
The metal detection sensor is integrated directly into the probe structure, combining the level detection function and measurement function into a single device. This eliminates the need for a separate level measuring device and its associated sub-lance, reducing the number of operations required and improving productivity while maintaining accurate immersion positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe serves multiple functions: it detects the molten metal level using the metal detection sensor, positions itself at the correct immersion depth, and performs measurements (temperature, oxygen content, etc.). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated level detection equipment, streamlining the process and improving productivity.
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 system ensures precise immersion of the probe at the correct depth, reducing the risk of damage and improving measurement accuracy, while also reducing the time required for the steel manufacturing process and minimizing the consumption of level measuring devices.
Implementation Method 1
a metal detection sensor provided in said arranged immersion portion at a position at a distance (Dx) below from the upper end (U) which outputs a detection signal (DS) when entering the metal level (ML) of molten metal after passing through the molten slag layer
Data Source
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AI summary
[PROBLEMS] The invention provides a system and a probe used therein in which the probe is made to immerse and stop in a predetermined depth position from a metal level of molten metal. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] In a system, a sub-lance equipped with a probe is moved downward by a drive device controlled by a control device, the sub-lance is stopped while an arranged immersion portion is immersed in molten metal, elements to be measured of molten metal are measured by measuring means provided in the probe, and a slag sample is extracted by slag sampling means. A metal detection sensor (27) is provided in the arranged immersion portion (23) for detecting the metal level (ML) of molten metal, and stop position determination means (31) and stop signal output means (32) are provided between the sensor (27) and the control device (18). When the metal level (ML) is detected by the metal detection sensor (27), a downward continuation time period (Tx) of the sub-lance is determined by the stop position determination means (31), and a stop signal is outputted from the stop signal output means (32) when the upper end (U) of the arranged immersion portion (23) coincides with the metal level (ML).