Detection and removal of continuous caster-related defects on slabs
AssigneeCleveland-Cliffs Steel Properties Inc.
InventorsRonald H. Radzilowski, William L. King
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A defect detection and remediation system can be used to detect and remediate sub-surface defects within a cast metal during the continuous casting stage. The system can include a detection device having one or more detection units to detect a defect within the cast metal using ultrasonic waves and a remediation device having one or more remediation units to remediate the defect detected by the detection device in a target area of the cast metal containing the detected defect.
Claims16
A defect detection and remediation system for use on a cast metal comprising:
- (a) a detection device comprising one or more detection units configured to detect a defect within the cast metal near a surface of the cast metal, wherein each detection unit comprises:
- (i) one or more signal generators configured to generate a pulse directed toward the surface of the cast metal to thereby generate one or more ultrasonic waves within the cast metal, the one or more signal generators spaced away from a surface of the cast metal without a physical coupling with the cast metal, and
- (ii) one or more receivers spaced a distance away from the one or more signal generators and spaced away from the surface of the cast metal without a physical coupling with the cast metal, wherein the one or more receivers are configured to receive a signal caused by the one or more ultrasonic waves within the cast metal;
- and
- (b) a remediation device comprising one or more remediation units configured to remediate the defect detected by the detection device in a target area of the cast metal containing the detected defect, wherein each remediation unit comprises one or more lasers configured to generate a beam toward the surface of the casted metal in the target area.
A method of operating a defect detection and remediation system to remediate a sub-surface defect in a cast metal, wherein the defect detection and remediation system comprises a detection device having one or more detection units and a remediation device having one or more remediation units, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) translating a cast metal relative to the defect detection and remediation system;
- (b) detecting whether a defect is present near a surface of the cast metal with the one or more detection units of the detection device, the detection device having one or more signal generators spaced away from a surface of the cast metal and without a physical coupling with the cast metal, the signal generators generate a pulse directed toward the surface of the cast metal to thereby generate one or more ultrasonic waves within the cast metal, the detection device having one or more receivers spaced a distance away from the one or more signal generators and spaced away from the surface of the cast metal and without a physical coupling with the cast metal, where the one or more receivers are configured to receive a signal caused by the one or more ultrasonic waves within the cast metal;
- (c) determining whether the defect is configured to be remediated when the defect is detected by the detection device;
- and
- (d) remediating the detected defect in a target area containing the detected defect with the one or more remediation units of the remediation device when the defect is determined to be remediated to form a remediated area, wherein each remediation unit comprises one or more lasers configured to generate a beam toward the surface of the casted metal in the target area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.