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 beam toward the surface of the casted metal in the target area and is configured to remediate the detected defect by ablation.
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 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, wherein 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 beam toward the surface of the casted metal in the target area and is configured to remediate the detected defect by ablation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.