US 5,577,841 AGranted

Molten metal immersion probe

AssigneeHeraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.

InventorChristopher Wall

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Abstract

An immersion probe for determining a liquidus temperature of a molten metal sample during solidification has a first refractory body with an immersion face, an interior sample chamber, and a passageway between the immersion face and an end wall of the chamber. A heat sink is positioned within the chamber adjacent the end wall and an insulating shield is positioned within the chamber adjacent the heat sink, each having an aperture corresponding to the inlet tube. The insulating shield sinks thermal energy from within the chamber at a second rate R.sub.2 slower than a first rate R.sub.1 of the interior walls of the chamber. A liquidus temperature sensor is positioned within the chamber away from the insulating shield. To determine the liquidus temperature, the probe is immersed in the molten metal, and a molten metal sample flows into the chamber through the passageway. When the flow ceases, the heat sink solidifies an adjacent portion of the molten metal and seals the sample within the chamber. The sealed sample solidifies along a solidification front that progresses toward the insulating shield. Accordingly, gaseous voids are prevented from being formed adjacent the sensor while the liquidus temperature is determined.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An immersion probe for collecting a sample of a molten metal and for determining a liquidus temperature of the molten metal during solidification, the probe being generally longitudinally shaped and being immersed in the molten metal in an immersion direction, the probe initially contacting the molten metal at a first longitudinal end, the probe comprising:

a first refractory body having an immersion face facing generally toward the first end of the probe, an interior sample chamber defined by a plurality of interior walls including a first end wall proximate the immersion face, and a passageway extending between an opening in the immersion face and a portal in the first end wall, the interior walls sinking thermal energy from within the sample chamber at a first rate R.sub.1 ;
a heat sink positioned within the sample chamber adjacent the first end wall, the heat sink having an aperture therethrough corresponding to the portal in the first end wall;
an insulating shield within the sample chamber adjacent the heat sink, the insulating shield having an aperture therethrough corresponding to the aperture in the heat sink and the portal in the first end wall, the insulating shield sinking thermal energy from within the sample chamber at a second rate R.sub.2 slower than the first rate R.sub.1 ;
and
a liquidus temperature sensor positioned within the sample chamber away from the insulating shield, wherein when the probe is immersed in the molten metal, molten metal flows into the sample chamber through the passageway until the sample chamber is substantially filled, the heat sink sinks thermal energy from and solidifies a portion of the molten metal proximate thereto when the flow ceases, the solidified portion seals the sample within the sample chamber, the sealed sample solidifies along a solidification front that progresses toward the insulating shield, gaseous voids are prevented from being formed adjacent the liquidus temperature sensor, and the liquidus temperature of the molten metal during solidification is determined from the solidifying sample with the liquidus temperature sensor.

2 more elements

A method for collecting a sample of a molten metal and for determining from the sample a liquidus temperature of the molten metal during solidification, the method employing a molten metal immersion probe having a generally longitudinal shape and being immersed in the molten metal in an immersion direction, the probe initially contacting the molten metal at a first longitudinal end, the probe comprising:

a first refractory body having an immersion face facing generally toward the first end of the probe, an interior sample chamber defined by a plurality of interior walls including a first end wall proximate the immersion face, and a passageway extending between an opening in the immersion face and a portal in the first end wall, the interior walls sinking thermal energy from within the sample chamber at a first rate R.sub.1 ;
a heat sink positioned within the sample chamber adjacent the first end wall, the heat sink having an aperture therethrough corresponding to the portal in the first end wall;
an insulating shield within the sample chamber adjacent the heat sink, the insulating shield having an aperture therethrough corresponding to the aperture in the heat sink and the portal in the first end wall, the insulating shield sinking thermal energy from within the sample chamber at a second rate R.sub.2 slower than the first rate R.sub.1 ;
and
a liquidus temperature sensor positioned within the sample chamber away from the insulating shield;
the method comprising the steps of:
immersing the probe in the molten metal;
flowing the sample of the molten metal into the sample chamber through the passageway until the sample chamber is substantially filled;
sinking thermal energy from and solidifying a portion of the molten metal adjacent the heat sink when the flow ceases, the solidified portion sealing the sample within the sample chamber;
solidifying the sealed sample along a solidification front that progresses toward the insulating shield;
preventing gaseous voids from being formed adjacent the liquidus temperature sensor;
and
determining from the solidifying sample the liquidus temperature of the molten metal during solidification with the liquidus temperature sensor.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.