High temperature mold gap measurement using optical fiber interferometry

Abstract

A temperature insensitive fiber optic Fabry-Perot interferometer based mold gap measurement system that can be employed in foundry and continuous casting facilities for both non-ferrous and ferrous production applications. For steel continuous casting, the sensor is also capable of detecting crystallite formation in the mold flux layer within the mold gap by detecting reflections from both the flux layer and the steel shell to facilitate direct mold lubrication monitoring for continuous casting. These interferometers can also be easily multiplexed to perform interface shape measurements or monitor gap variations at various positions within a complex mold design. The ability to measure the cast shape exiting a continuous casting mold during operation will provide a new tool to monitor and improve product quality during operation and enhance the safety of the process through the detection of conditions that lead to slab cracking and breakouts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.