Molten Metal Sampler Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Direct Analysis (DA) samplers for molten metals face issues such as high sample temperatures, poor sample fixation, contamination, and uncontrolled filling, which affect the quality and reliability of the samples obtained.
Innovation Solution
The development of a sampler with a sample chamber assembly that includes a cover plate with a sealing member made from non-contaminating materials, such as non-impregnated paper or pre-cured elastomers, to create a gas-tight seal without contaminating the samples. This design minimizes outer dimensions and ensures effective sealing to prevent air ingress and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing materials (e.g., rubber, plastic) are used in the sample chamber assembly, then a gas-tight seal can be achieved, but the samples become contaminated with unwanted elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable seal elements made from non-impregnated paper or similar materials that are discarded after a single use. These single-use seals prevent contamination of the sample chamber while maintaining gas-tight sealing during the sampling process, eliminating the need for cleaning or reusing contaminated seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from traditional reusable rubber or plastic seals and implements it through a separate, disposable seal element that can be easily removed and replaced. This separation allows the sealing function to be performed by a non-contaminating material that is discarded after use, preventing cross-contamination between samples.
2Volume of stationary object
If the sample chamber outer dimensions are minimized, then the sampler design is improved, but achieving a gas-tight seal becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible thin film seal elements that can conform to the sample chamber geometry even when minimized. These thin film seals maintain gas-tight sealing in compact configurations where rigid sealing structures would be too large or complex.
3Productivity
If molten metal fills the sample chamber uncontrolled, then sampling speed is improved, but sample quality and temperature control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sealing of the sample chamber before immersion in the molten metal bath. The gas-tight seal is established in advance, allowing controlled filling of the chamber with molten metal while preventing oxidation and contamination, thereby maintaining sample quality despite rapid sampling operations.
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 improved sampler achieves better sample quality by maintaining lower sample temperatures, ensuring proper sample fixation, reducing contamination risks, and allowing for controlled filling, thereby enhancing the reliability and accuracy of molten metal analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing member configured to provide a substantially gas tight seal between the cover plate and the housing
Implementation Method 2
the sealing member consist of an essentially non-contaminating material for the samples in the sample chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 3c~3f
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath, particularly a molten iron, the sampler comprising: - a carrier tube having an immersion end; and - 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 a first opening for an inflow conduit and an opposing end having a second opening for a gas coupler, - a first face extending between the immersion end and the opposing end, the first face having a first depression proximate the immersion end and a second depression, the first depression being an analysis zone and the second depression being a ventilation zone, a portion of the analysis zone overlying a distribution zone which is in direct flow communication with the first opening and configured to receive the molten steel from the inflow conduit, - wherein the first depression having a cross sectional circle segment profile along a central longitudinal axis that is concavely or triangularly shaped, - wherein the cover plate and the housing are configured to be assembled together to form a sample cavity including the distribution zone, the analysis zone and the ventilation zone, such that an analysis surface of a solidified steel sample formed within the sample cavity lies in a first plane, and - wherein the first and second openings are spaced apart from the first plane. The invention also relates to a sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath, particularly a molten iron, 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 cover plate comprising a sealing member configured to provide a substantially gas tight seal between the cover plate and the housing, wherein the sealing member consist of an essentially noncontaminating material for the samples in the sample chamber.