Support Tube Splash Guard for Steel Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing samplers for molten iron and steel fail to provide high-quality slag samples due to contamination from the support pipe materials, which compromise the accuracy of metal and slag analysis.

Innovation Solution

A metal spray protection layer is applied to the lateral peripheral surface of the support tube surrounding the inlet opening, preventing pipe material and combustion products from entering the sample chamber, while a separate antechamber ensures effective separation of slag from molten metal, allowing for precise sampling and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a support tube is used for sampling, then the device structure is simplified, but contamination from support tube material enters the sample chamber compromising sample quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidsample quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support tube is segmented into two functional parts: a combustion-protected section that prevents contamination and a sampling section that collects samples. This segmentation allows the support tube to maintain structural simplicity while preventing material contamination in the sample chamber through the protective coating on the combustion section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A protective coating is introduced as an intermediary layer between the support tube and the sample chamber. This intermediary prevents direct contact between support tube material and the sample, eliminating contamination while maintaining the simplicity of the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the inlet opening is positioned in the slag layer, then slag sampling is enabled, but precise control of immersion depth is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling capabilityVSAvoidimmersion depth control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-configured with the inlet opening positioned at a specific height relative to the measuring head, enabling automatic correct positioning during immersion. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex real-time depth control mechanisms while ensuring accurate sampling from the slag layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a protective coating is applied to the support tube, then sample quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample qualityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective coating is applied as a thin layer with specific material properties (combustion resistance, chemical inertness) that prevent contamination. By changing the surface parameters of the support tube through coating rather than changing the overall structure, sample quality is improved while device complexity remains minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures high-quality slag samples by preventing contamination and enabling precise control of immersion depth, ensuring accurate analysis of slag and metal samples with improved sample chamber design and separation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a splash guard layer protects the material of the carrier tube in the immediate vicinity of the inlet opening, thus preventing parts of the carrier tube or its combustion products from entering the pre-chamber and subsequently the sample chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

Because the slag is lighter than the molten steel, it rises, while heavier metal particles that may have entered the pre-chamber remain there

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity separation: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2584336B1Device for measuring parameters or for sampling in iron or steel melts
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 HERAEUS ELECTRO NITE INT NV
  • EP2584336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2584336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2584336B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The apparatus has a measuring head (2) that is arranged at an immersion end of a support tube (1). The measuring head is provided with the sensor and inlet opening corresponding to a sample chamber. An inlet opening (4) is formed in a lateral peripheral surface of the support tube, and is opened with a prechamber facing away from the measuring head. An inlet portion is formed in the prechamber and is opened with a slag sample chamber.