US3756082A - Apparatus for sampling molten metal - Google Patents

Abstract

A sampling crucible is disclosed with an asymmetrically placed divider, partitioning the crucible into two communicating chambers, one containing aluminum wire and a port, the other one housing a thermoelement. The divider has a tongue projecting through the bottom of the crucible and carrying a second thermoelement, effective outside of the crucible but covered for protection. The divider is constructed to integrate a lid for the crucible and a socket. Connecting wires for the thermoelements run through the divider, lid and socket.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Bardenheuer et al. 1 1 Sept. 4, 1973 [54] APPARATUS FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN 3,685,359 8/1972 Boron 73 354 METAL [75] Inventors: Friedrich Bardenheuer,

Duisburgfluckingen; Steffen Primary Exammer-R1chard C. Quelsser Dam", Duisburggrossenbaum; Assistant Examine rDen1s E. Corr Manned Holman Att0rneyRalf H. Sie'gemund Duisburg-Mundelheim, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschatt,

Dusseldorf, Germany [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: May 24, 1972 A sampllng cruc1ble 1s d1sclosed with an asymmetrically [21] PP' 256,379 placed divider, partitioning the crucible into two communicating chambers, one containing aluminum wire 52 us. 01 73/354, 73/17 R, 73/4254, and a P the We housing a thermoelemem- 73/DIG 9, 136/234 The divider has a tongue projecting through the bottom 51 Int. c1.....: .(G0lk 13/12, 00111 25/06 of the Crucible and Carrying a thermoelemen" [58] Field of Search 73/354, 4254 DIG 9, effective outside of the crucible but covered for protec- 73/17 R 343 R, 343 B; 13 /234 231; 1 4/4 tlOn. The divider is constructed to integrate a lid for the crucible and a socket. Connecting wires for the ther- [56] References Cited moeiements run through the divider, lid and socket.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1972 Cullins 73/17 R 11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 4, 1973 5 Sh66t3-Sh 1 Fly Patented Sept. 4, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fly. I

Patented Sept. 4, 1973 3,756,082

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 APPARATUS FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to equipment for sampling molten metal, particularly molten steel in a blown converter. Particularly, the invention relates to a device affixed to a tubular lance or holder and including a sampling crucible with internal and external thermo- DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is suggested that the insulation free sampling crucible is partitionable by means of a removable divider wall, so as to establish two chambers communicating in the bottom region of the crucible. The divider extends in direction of the lance and has a tongue that extends into and through the bottom of the crucible. Aluminum wire is disposed in one of the chambers; one thermoelement is disposed in the other chamber above the tongue, and the second (external) thermoelement is disposed on the outer front end face of the tongue, underneath the traversed bottom of the crucible. In accordance with the preferred construction, the divider wall supports all sensitive parts. That divider wall has rather simple geometric configuration and is, therefor, easy to make. This construction, in turn, permits the crucible itself to be without insulation. Moreover, the divider wall, the lid for the crucible and a socket can be made from two similarly shaped, complementing halves with internal indentations and recesses etc. for the conductors. Alternatively, divider wall, lid and tube end can be made in integral, single piece construction. The crucible should have a narrowing taper towards the bottom.

The one thermoelement as disposed in the one chamber, should have sufficient distance from the wall of crucible in all directions. Therefor, it is advisable to provide a certain asymmetry in the partitioning. The chamber containing the aluminum wire has an inlet port and should be smaller than the geometrically correct half of the crucible by about the thickness of the divider wall. That asymmetry in chamber volume is beneficial for obtaining intimate mixing of steel, flowing through the port, with the aluminum in the smaller chamber, so that steady state conditions prevail in the material as flowing into the second chamber.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and features of the invention and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross section through a sampling cricuble with partition and arrangement of components in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; 1

FIG. 2 is a section view along lines II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a respectively front elevation of the divider used in the crucible illustrated on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a section view through lines lV--IV in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a modified construction for the divider wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Proceeding now to the detailed description of the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a crucible 2 made of fire clay. The crucible does not require a thermal insulation. The crucible has tapering-configuration towards the bottom level region 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes the axis of the tubular lance to which the crucible is affixed. The crucible is provided with a divider wall 6 being of single piece construction and integral with a lid 7 for the crucible and a socket 8.

Socket 8 is received by an insulative sleeve 9 such as a cardboard ferrule. The plug connection between socket 8 and lance tube is not illustrated and is conventional. However, the illustration reveals clearly that the upper connections for enamelled electrical conductors 10 as transversing divider 6, lid 7 and socket 8, are protected against heat. The lid 7 hasrcessed a portion 13 which is received by the upper portion of crucible 2 and is bonded thereto.

The divider wall or partition 6 has been inserted, i.e., placed into the crucible, so that a tongue 11, which is integral with divider 6, projects through the bottom of the crucible. The two chambers 4 and 5 as established by the wall communicate near the bottom, due to the provision of recessed portions 12 which are also instrumental in the definition of the tongue as pronounced element. A lateral port 18 leads into chamber 4, but the port is normally closed by an aluminum stopper 17, until the crucible is immersed in molten steel.

The divider wall with integral lid and socket is shown enlarged in FIGS. 3 and 4, and is provided with a recess 20 for receiving the wires that lead to the thermoelements. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, the wall 6 is asymmetrically arranged on lid 7 so that chamber 4 is smaller than chamber 5. An axial center plane is about flush with the surface of wall 6 that faces chamber 5. Accordingly, chamber 4 has volume reduced relative to chamber 5 by about the volume occupied by the wall itself.

A thermoelement l4 sits on wall 6 facing chamber 5 and having position above tongue 11. The tip of the elemet 14 has equal distance from the divider and from the wall of the crucible. A second thermoelement 15 extends from the lower end face of tongue 11, outside of the crucible. That element 15 measures the temperature of the molten metal in the vicinity of the crucible. The thermoelement is covered by a steel cap 16 protecting the element against slag and burning off when inserted in the melt.

In operation, the crucible is affixed by means of socket 8 to a tubular lance which is cooled and can be lowered mechanically into a converter. As can be seen from the drawing, the outside of the crucible tapers in direction of advance and is not provided with any protrusions or the like. Thus, the crucible can readily traverse the slag zone; cover 16 protecting thermoelement 15 also in this respect.

As stated, the crucible has a lateral entrance port 18, in its upper region, the port being intitially closed by an aluminum plug 17 which melts in the steel. As soon as the port 18 is open, steel pours through the port into chamber 4, past a large aluminum surface of the wire 19 contained in this chamber. The illustration of but one wire coil is to be understood only representatively. Utilization of wire is preferred as it offers a very large surface for a given quantity of aluminum. The steel will melt the aluminum quite rapidly.

As the chamber 4 is smaller than chamber 5, aluminum and steel mix immediately quite intimately. Thus, the mixture flowing into chamber 5 from underneath the wall 6 is quieted down, and the immediate vicinity of element 14 is representative for the content of chamber 5 as a whole.

FIG. 5 illustrates a somewhat modified construction for the divider. In this case, divider lid and socket are made from two complementing half-pieces, which, when combined, provide for an internal recess 21 for the conductors 1(1 as leading to the electrical components of the probe. FIG. 5 shows only one half, the other half is similarly constructed. The figure shows particularly a view onto the surface which will be covered by a similar surface of the complementary element.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but all changes and modifications thereof not constituting departures from the spirt and scope of the invention are intended to be included.

We claim:

1. Crucible for sampling steel, for example, in a converter, comprising:

a divider wall in the crucible for partitioning the crucible into a first and second chamber, communicating in the bottom region of the crucible;

a tongue integral with the wall and extending through the bottom of the crucible;

means defining an entrance port to the first chamber,

the first chamber containing some aluminium;

a first thermoelement extending from the wall into the second chamber above the tongue;

at second thermoelement extending from the tongue outside of the crucible; and

means in the crucible for accomodating wires leading to the thermoelements and out of the upper part of the crucible.

2. Crucible as in claim 1, the divider wall provided with recesses for accommodating the said wires.

3. Crucible as in claim 1, the crucible having inside and outside tapering configuration in direction toward the bottom.

4. Crucible as in claim 1, the divider wall being asymmetrically arranged in the crucible so that the first chamber is smaller by about the thickness ofthe divider wall.

5. Crucible as in claim 1, the divider wall being integral with a lid for the crucible and a socket for connection to a tube-like holder for the crucible.

6. Crucible as in claim 1, wherein the first thermoelement is disposed in the second chamber at about equal distances from the crucible wall and from the divider wall.

7. Crucible as in claim 1, wherein the second thermoelement is covered by a steel cap.

8. Crucible as in claim 1, wherein the divider wall is constructed from two superimposed parts.

9. Crucible as in claim 8, wherein halves for a lid and for a socket are integral with each part.

10. Crucible as in claim 9, wherein the accommodating means are defined by recesses in the parts, being mutually covered upon superimposing them, for receiving the wires.

11. Crucible as in claim 1, with an integral lid for the crucible and a socket, the socket covered by a cardboard ferrule.

Claims (11)

1. Crucible for sampling steel, for example, in a converter, comprising: a divider wall in the crucible for partitioning the crucible into a first and second chamber, communicating in the bottom region of the crucible; a tongue integral with the wall and extending through the bottom of the crucible; means defining an entrance port to the first chamber, the first chamber containing some aluminium; a first thermoelement extending from the wall into the second chamber above the tongue; a second thermoelement extending from the tongue outside of the crucible; and means in the crucible for accomodating wires leading to the thermoelements and out of the upper part of the crucible.

2. Crucible as in claim 1, the divider wall provided with recesses for accommodating the said wires.

3. Crucible as in claim 1, the crucible having inside and outside tapering configuration in direction toward the bottom.

4. Crucible as in claim 1, the divider wall being asymmetrically arranged in the crucible so that the first chamber is smaller by about the thickness of the divider wall.

5. Crucible as in claim 1, the divider wall being integral with a lid for the crucible and a socket for connection to a tube-like holder for the crucible.

6. Crucible as in claim 1, wherein the first thermoelement is disposed in the second chamber at about equal distances from the crucible wall and from the divider wall.

7. Crucible as in claim 1, wherein the second thermoelement is covered by a steel cap.

8. Crucible as in claim 1, wherein the divider wall is constructed from two superimposed parts.

9. Crucible as in claim 8, wherein halves for a lid and for a socket are integral with each part.

10. Crucible as in claim 9, wherein the accommodating means are defined by recesses in the parts, being mutually covered upon superimposing them, for receiving the wires.

11. Crucible as in claim 1, with an integral lid for the crucible and a socket, the socket covered by a cardboard ferrule.

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