Sampler With Gas Gap For Rapid Melt Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sampling molten metals, such as pig iron or steel, result in slow cooling of the sample within the sample chamber, leading to delayed measurements and potential oxidation reactions due to ambient air exposure.
Innovation Solution
A sampler with a gas passage between the inner and outer cooling bodies, utilizing inert gases like argon or nitrogen, and a switch to control gas supply and discharge lines for rapid cooling, allowing the sample chamber to be filled and cooled efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the sample chamber is designed with conventional cooling, then the structure is simple, but the cooling speed is slow causing delayed measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling bodies (first cooling body and second cooling body) that can be separately controlled and optimized. Each cooling body has its own cooling channels and can be adjusted independently to achieve rapid cooling without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling bodies are nested within the sample chamber structure, with cooling channels integrated into the chamber walls. The first and second cooling bodies are positioned concentrically or adjacently within the same spatial envelope, achieving enhanced cooling function without increasing external dimensions.
2Reliability
If the sample remains hot for quick analysis, then analysis can be performed promptly, but oxidation reactions occur due to ambient air exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The sample chamber is filled with inert gas (argon or nitrogen) to create a protective atmosphere that prevents oxidation reactions. The inert gas displaces ambient air from the chamber, allowing the hot sample to cool and be analyzed without chemical contamination while maintaining sample integrity.
3Speed
If gas is supplied continuously for cooling, then cooling efficiency is high, but gas consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is made dynamic with adjustable flow rates and switchable pathways. The gas flow can be modulated based on cooling requirements, and the system can switch between different gas supply modes (continuous or intermittent) to optimize cooling efficiency while controlling gas consumption and simplifying system operation.
4Ease of operation
If multiple gas lines are used for supply and discharge, then gas control is precise, but the sampling device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gas lines are designed to serve multiple functions. The same gas supply line can provide both cooling gas and inert atmosphere gas depending on the operational phase. The gas discharge system handles both excess cooling gas and oxidation-prevention gas through integrated pathways, reducing the total number of separate lines while maintaining precise control.
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
Enables quick cooling of the sample, preventing oxidation and allowing for prompt removal and analysis, reducing the need for additional processing or specialized equipment, and enabling on-site analysis without the need for separate laboratories.
Implementation Method 1
the sampler has a first cooling body and a second cooling body, wherein the sample chamber is surrounded by the first cooling body and the second cooling body
Implementation Method 2
at least one gap for the passage of at least one gas, preferably an inert gas, in particular argon or nitrogen, between a region of the outer surface of the inner cooling body and the region of the outer surface of the upper cooling body
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sample holder (21a, 21b, 21c) for receiving a sampler (1, 1a) with a sample chamber (2) for a sample (3) forming from a melt, wherein the sampler (1, 1a) comprises: at least one lower cooling element (6), at least one upper cooling element (8), at least one inner cooling element (7), and at least one filling element, wherein the sample chamber (2) is surrounded at least by the lower cooling element (6) and by the inner cooling element (7) together, so that at least the sample chamber (2) can be cooled at least by means of the lower and inner cooling elements (6, 7), wherein the filling element connected to the sample chamber (2) opens into the sample chamber (2) via a filling opening (5a), and wherein the cooling elements (6, 7, 8) each have an outer surface (7a, 8a), wherein the sampler (1,1a) between an area of the outer surface (7a) of the inner heat sink (7) and the area of the outer surface (8a) of the upper heat sink (8) opposite this area of the outer surface (7a) of the inner heat sink (7) has at least one gap (11) for the passage of at least one gas and that the volume of the respective heat sink (6, 7, 8) is larger than the volume of the gap (11); and wherein the sample holder (21a, 21b, 21c) comprises: a contact piece (22) for receiving the sampler (1, 1a) and wherein at least one supply line (24a) for introducing gas via the contact piece (22) into the sampler (21a, 21b, 21c) and at least one outlet (24b) for extracting gas via the contact piece (22) from the sampler (1, 1a) and at least one gas line (24c) extending through the contact piece (22) and connected to the sample chamber (2) are arranged in the sample holder (21a, 21b,21c) A switch (26) is arranged, connected to the supply line (24a) and the outlet (24b) on one side and to the gas line (24c) on the other, with which either the supply line (24a) or the outlet (24b) can be connected to the gas line (24c). Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out sampling and a method for sampling.