Ventilating Stopper Rod with Integrated Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilating stopper rods in continuous casting struggle with temperature measurement accuracy due to thick-walled structures causing hysteresis and inability to measure molten steel temperature when argon is blown, while also failing to prevent blockages and remove slag inclusions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A ventilating stopper rod with a temperature measurement function, featuring a hollow rod body, a thin-walled temperature measurement unit, and exhaust passages that allow for rapid temperature measurement and argon blowing to prevent blockages and remove slag inclusions, while maintaining flow control and cleaning the temperature measurement path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick-walled rod head structure is used for scouring prevention, then the stopper rod can prevent blockages, but the temperature measurement response becomes slow and hysteresis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod head is divided into two functional zones: an inner cavity region for temperature measurement and an outer thick-walled region for scouring protection. The temperature measurement unit is embedded within the rod head, allowing the thick-walled structure to protect against blockages while the inner cavity enables rapid temperature response.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature measurement unit is nested within the rod head structure. The rod head contains an inner cavity that houses the temperature measurement unit, allowing the temperature sensor to be positioned close to the molten steel while the outer thick-walled structure provides protection against blockages.
2Reliability
If argon blowing is applied at the bottom end of the stopper rod, then slag inclusions can be removed and blockage prevented, but the rod head is cooled and temperature measurement becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper rod is segmented into separate functional zones: argon blowing outlets positioned at the bottom end for slag removal, and a temperature measurement unit positioned in the rod head with thermal insulation. This spatial separation allows argon blowing to occur without cooling the temperature measurement zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation material is introduced as an intermediary between the rod head and the temperature measurement unit. This insulation layer protects the temperature measurement unit from the cooling effect of argon blowing while allowing the measurement function to operate effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hollow rod body structure is used, then temperature measurement and argon blowing can be integrated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow rod body structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a pathway for argon blowing to remove slag inclusions, houses the temperature measurement unit for temperature monitoring, and maintains the structural integrity of the stopper rod. This multi-functionality integrates temperature measurement and flow control in a single component.
4Measurement precision
If the temperature measurement unit is exposed to molten steel directly, then accurate temperature measurement is achieved, but the measurement path becomes contaminated by smoke gas and slag
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature measurement unit is extracted from direct exposure to the molten steel environment. Instead of placing the sensor directly in the molten steel, the measurement unit is positioned in the rod head with thermal insulation, allowing accurate temperature measurement through thermal conduction while avoiding direct contamination by smoke gas and slag.
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 continuous and quick temperature measurement of molten steel, prevents blockages, and removes slag inclusions, ensuring accurate flow control and cleaning of the temperature measurement path, thereby improving the quality of casting blanks.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature measurement unit is used for measuring the temperature of the molten steel
Implementation Method 2
the open end of the temperature measurement unit is connected with the rod head and communicated with the inner cavity of the rod body
Implementation Method 3
outlet ends of the exhaust passages are connected with the outer surface of the rod head and communicated with the outside
Implementation Method 4
Argon blowing at the bottom end of the stopper rod is conducive to the floating of the slag inclusions to facilitate the removal of the slag inclusions
Implementation Method 5
blowing argon at the bottom end of the stopper rod
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilating stopper rod has a temperature measurement function and is used for continuous casting. The stopper rod has a rod body, a rod head, a temperature measurement unit, a connecting pipe and exhaust passages; the rod body is a hollow structure; the upper end of the rod body is connected with the connecting pipe; the lower end of the rod body is connected with the rod head; the temperature measurement unit is used for measuring the temperature of the molten steel; the open end of the temperature measurement unit is connected with the rod head and communicates with the inner cavity of the rod body; the closed end of the temperature measurement unit extends out from the lower end of the rod head and is exposed from the rod head.