Method for measuring and continuously monitoring the heat transfer characteristics of a fluid in a system
AssigneeAFC-Holcroft, L.L.C.
InventorWilliam Disler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring quench characteristics of a fluid. The apparatus includes a probe with an energy input device electrically connected to a display unit to monitor temperature, media flow characteristics and media heat transfer characteristics. The method includes continuously measuring thermal energy transfer in a quenching media by measuring the surrounding fluid's heat transfer relative to input probe energy.
Claims15
An apparatus for measuring a parameter characteristic of an ability of a quench medium to cool a heat-treated metal part in the quench medium, comprising:
- a probe body disposed within the quench medium;
- a heating element for heating the probe body relative to the quench medium;
- a first temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the probe body;
- a second temperature sensor disposed in the quench medium in a predetermined spaced relationship from the probe body for measuring the temperature of the quench medium;
- and
- a controller for measuring the power needed to maintain a predetermined temperature difference between the temperature of the probe body and the temperature of the quench medium, and for adjusting a condition affecting the ability of the quench medium to transfer heat based on the power needed to maintain the predetermined temperature difference.
An apparatus for measuring a parameter characteristic of an ability of a quench medium to cool a heat-treated metal part in the quench medium, comprising:
- a probe body disposed within the quench medium;
- a heating element for heating the probe body relative to the quench medium;
- a first temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the probe body;
- a second temperature sensor disposed in the quench medium in a predetermined spaced relationship from the probe body for measuring the temperature of the quench medium;
- and
- a controller for measuring the power needed to maintain a predetermined temperature difference between the temperature of the probe body and the temperature of the quench medium, and for adjusting a condition affecting the ability of the quench medium to transfer heat based on the power needed to maintain the predetermined temperature difference, wherein the controlled condition is an addition of a heat transfer modifying material to the quench medium.
A method of measuring a parameter characteristic of an ability of a quench medium to cool a heat-treated metal part disposed in the quench medium, comprising:
- providing a quenching vessel containing a volume of quench medium suitable for quenching a heat-treated metal part in the vessel;
- positioning a probe body in the quench medium;
- heating the probe body relative to the quench medium with a heating element;
- measuring the temperature of the probe body;
- measuring the temperature of the quench medium at a predetermined spaced relationship from the probe body;
- regulating power to the heating element to maintain a predetermined temperature difference between the probe body and the quench medium;
- and
- adjusting a condition affecting the ability of the quench medium to transfer heat based on the power needed to maintain the predetermined temperature difference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.