Molten Metal Sampler Assembly for Stable De-Oxidant Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional samplers for molten metal analysis face issues with de-oxidant material distribution and surface preparation, leading to inaccurate carbon readings and sample variability, especially in high oxygen applications, due to the use of glues and cements which decompose and release carbon-containing gases, and the difficulty in achieving homogeneous de-oxidant distribution in small samples.
Innovation Solution
A sampler design with a de-oxidant material arranged along the central axis of the inflow conduit, anchored by coupling means, and a metal bushing for coupling the inflow conduit to the sample chamber, eliminating the need for glues and cements, ensuring stable de-oxidant distribution and precise carbon readings by minimizing preheating and purging gas forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If glues and cements are used to assemble the sampler components, then the components can be joined together, but carbon-containing gases are released during decomposition which contaminate the sample and cause inaccurate carbon readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes glues and cements from the sampler assembly by using mechanical coupling means (protrusions and recesses) to join components. This extraction eliminates the source of carbon contamination while maintaining structural integrity through alternative mechanical fastening methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable sampler design where the entire sampling device is discarded after use. This eliminates the need for durable adhesives and allows the use of simple mechanical coupling features that are sufficient for single-use applications, avoiding carbon contamination from adhesive decomposition.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If de-oxidant material is added to high oxygen applications, then oxidation is reduced, but the de-oxidant material distributes non-homogeneously in small samples leading to variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places de-oxidant material specifically at the immersion end of the inflow conduit where molten metal first enters the sample chamber. This localized placement ensures immediate de-oxidation action at the point of greatest oxygen exposure, achieving effective oxidation control with minimal material and better distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The de-oxidant material is positioned to act on the molten metal immediately upon entry into the sample chamber, before the metal can oxidize. This preliminary de-oxidation action ensures uniform distribution throughout the sample as the metal fills the chamber, preventing subsequent oxidation variability.
3Temperature
If the sampler is preheated in the molten metal bath, then the sample chamber is prepared for sampling, but purging gas forces and preheating can displace or weaken the de-oxidant material
Solution Approach 1:
The de-oxidant material is pre-positioned and secured with coupling means before the preheating and purging operations begin. This preliminary securing ensures the material remains in place during the thermal and gas flow processes, maintaining both temperature preparation and material stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflow conduit is designed with a curved path that directs molten metal flow along a specific trajectory. This curvature helps guide the de-oxidant material into position while the metal flows, and the rounded coupling features (protrusions and recesses) provide more reliable mechanical engagement that resists displacement during preheating and purging.
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 solution allows for accurate and precise analysis without surface preparation, maintaining de-oxidant stability and preventing carbon contamination, ensuring reliable elemental composition analysis across varying temperature and oxygen ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the de-oxidant material is arranged along a central axis of the inflow conduit, with at least part of the de-oxidant material arranged near the second end of the inflow conduit inside the measuring head
Implementation Method 2
achieve homogeneous de-oxidant distribution in small samples
Implementation Method 3
the inflow conduit comprises first coupling means, arranged on the second end of the inflow conduit, wherein the de-oxidant material comprises second coupling means, to interact with the first coupling means on the inflow conduit to anchor the de-oxidant material in a position along the central axis of the inflow conduit
Implementation Method 4
a metal bushing for coupling the inflow conduit to the sample chamber, eliminating the need for glues and cements
Implementation Method 5
ensuring stable de-oxidant distribution and precise carbon readings by minimizing preheating and purging gas forces
Implementation Method 6
preventing carbon contamination, ensuring reliable elemental composition analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath, particularly a molten steel bath, the sampler comprising:a carrier tube having an immersion end;a sample chamber assembly arranged on the immersion end of the carrier tube, the sample chamber assembly comprising a cover plate and a housing, wherein the housing comprises an immersion end having an opening;an inflow conduit having a first end for receiving molten metal and a second end, opposite the first end, wherein the second end is in communication with the opening, wherein the opening is configured to receive the molten metal from the inflow conduit;a measuring head, wherein the sample chamber and the second end of the inflow conduit are at least partly arranged in the measuring head; anda de-oxidant material arranged along a central axis of the inflow conduit, wherein at least part of the de-oxidant material is arranged near the second end of the inflow conduit inside the measuring head, and wherein the inflow conduit comprises first coupling means, arranged on the second end of the inflow conduit, wherein the de-oxidant material comprises second coupling means, to interact with the first coupling means on the inflow conduit to anchor the de-oxidant material in a position along the central axis of the inflow conduit. The invention also relates to a sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath, particularly a molten steel bath, the sampler comprising:a carrier tube having an immersion end;a sample chamber assembly arranged on the immersion end of the carrier tube, the sample chamber assembly comprising a cover plate and a housing, wherein the housing comprises an immersion end having an opening;an inflow conduit having a first end for receiving molten metal and a second end, opposite the first end, wherein the second end is in communication with the opening, wherein the opening is configured to receive the molten metal from the inflow conduit;a measuring head, wherein the sample chamber and the second end of the inflow conduit are at least partly arranged in the measuring head; anda metal bushing, wherein the metal bushing coupling the inflow conduit to the sample chamber.