Measuring method, system and sensor for a continuous casting machine

A system for detection of a level of a liquid metal during production of a semi-finished steelwork product by casting the liquid metal, the system comprising:

• a mold having a crystallizer, said mold adapted to receive the liquid metal;
• a detection system cooperative with said mold, said detection system adapted to detect a position of a meniscus or a level of the liquid metal within the crystallizer, said detection system comprising:
• at least one transmitter that transmits a detection signal, said at least one transmitter being a first ultrasonic element that transmits an ultrasonic elastic wave toward a wall of the crystallizer;
• and
• at least one receiver that receives a measuring signal, the measuring signal being dependent on the detection signal, said at least one receiver being a second ultrasonic element that receives the transmitted ultrasonic elastic wave, the first ultrasonic element being oriented toward a wall of the crystallizer, the first ultrasonic element being oriented such that the transmitted ultrasonic elastic wave is inclined at an angle of incidence with respect to the wall of the crystallizer, the first and second ultrasonic elements being arranged on a common side of said mold such that the second ultrasonic element is in spaced relation relative to the first ultrasonic element in a direction generally parallel to the wall of the crystallizer, wherein the second ultrasonic element is oriented so as to receive at least one portion of the transmitted ultrasonic elastic wave which through penetrates through the wall of the crystallizer and passes, into the crystallizer, the at least a portion of the transmitted ultrasonic elastic wave being a transverse body wave moving along a zigzag path defined by reflections, the second ultrasonic element receiving a reflection of the transverse body wave, wherein said detection system that measures a time that has elapsed between the transmission of the detection signal and the reception of the measuring signal, the time that has elapsed corresponding to a time interval required for the transverse body wave to travel across the crystallizer between the first ultrasonic element and the second ultrasonic element, wherein said detection system calculates the position of the meniscus or the level of the liquid metal in the crystallizer by correlating the position of the level of the meniscus or the liquid metal within the crystallizer and the time that has elapsed and a temperature of the crystallizer between the first ultrasonic element and the second ultrasonic element.