Optical Fiber Temperature Measurement in Chill Molds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature detection systems in continuous casting molds, relying on thermocouples, face limitations in spatial resolution, are labor-intensive, costly, and susceptible to electromagnetic interference, making it difficult to effectively detect longitudinal cracks and breakthroughs.
Innovation Solution
A continuous mold with grooves on the outside of the mold copper plate, where optical waveguide fibers are arranged in a meandering manner between cooling channels, connected to a temperature detection system, offering higher spatial resolution and reduced cabling and installation efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermocouples are used for temperature detection in the mold, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the spatial resolution is low and the installation effort is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermocouples (electrical measurement system) with optical waveguide fibers (optical measurement system). This substitution eliminates the need for electrical cabling and connections, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling higher spatial resolution through the flexible and continuous nature of optical fiber sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical voltage (thermocouple output) to optical properties (light transmission characteristics). This parameter change enables the use of optical waveguide fibers that can be arranged in meandering patterns with high spatial density, achieving superior temperature measurement resolution without proportionally increasing system complexity
2Measurement precision
If the number of thermocouples is increased to improve spatial resolution, then temperature detection accuracy improves, but the cabling effort and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cabling system of thermocouples with an optical waveguide fiber system. Optical fibers can be installed more easily as they are more flexible, lighter, and do not require complex electrical connections, thereby improving ease of manufacture and installation while achieving high spatial resolution through increased sensor density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the temperature measurement function into multiple closely-spaced optical waveguide fiber measurement points arranged in a meandering pattern. This segmentation allows distributed temperature monitoring with high spatial resolution, where each fiber segment acts as an independent measurement point without requiring separate cabling for each location
3Reliability
If thermocouples are installed in the mold, then temperature measurement is possible, but they are susceptible to electromagnetic interference from electromagnetic brakes or stirrers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the electrical thermocouple system with an optical waveguide fiber system. Since optical fibers transmit information via light rather than electrical signals, they are inherently immune to electromagnetic interference from electromagnetic brakes or stirrers, thereby improving measurement reliability in electrically noisy environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical waveguide fibers as an intermediary between the temperature measurement function and the external detection system. This intermediary transmits temperature information optically rather than electrically, acting as a barrier that prevents electromagnetic interference from affecting the measurement signals
4Measurement precision
If a large number of thermocouples are installed to achieve high spatial resolution, then temperature detection capability improves, but the cost and time for installation increase immensely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex electrical installation process of thermocouples with the simpler optical fiber installation process. Optical waveguide fibers can be installed more quickly as they require no electrical connections, are more flexible for routing, and can be installed in meandering patterns that cover larger areas with fewer installation steps, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining high spatial resolution
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
This approach significantly enhances temperature measurement resolution, reduces installation costs and labor, and eliminates the need for complex protective devices, enabling more precise detection of temperature changes and improved monitoring of longitudinal cracks and breakthroughs.
Implementation Method 1
optical waveguide fibers for temperature measurement are arranged in grooves and connected to a temperature detection system
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for measuring the temperature in a chill mold using a fiber optic measurement method and a correspondingly configured chill mold. To this end, optical fibers are provided in grooves on the exterior of the chill mold copper plate, through which laser light is conducted. Using a temperature measuring system, the temperature along the measurement fibers can be determined at a plurality of measurement locations. In particular, in said method, an improved locational resolution of the temperature measurement in a chill mold is achieved relative to known temperature measurement systems using thermocouples.