US3668386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuirng height of a molten metal pool
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1969-03-13
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1989-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for detecting the liquid level in, or the liquidsolid interface at the bottom of, a pool of molten metal or alloy utilizing a radioactive isotope as a source of radiation and sensing the amount of radiation over or through the pool of metal and in which the melting is accomplished by an electron beam impinging on the pool surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Sol S Blecherman
- 👤 Nicholas E Ulion
- 👤 Louis L Packer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; G01F23/288; G21; G21H; G21H5/00; G21H5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
In the method of measuring the level of a pool of molten metal alloy within a crucible on the top of a solid of the same alloy being melted and evaporated by an electron beam impinging on the pool surface the steps of projecting a radioactive beam horizontally through the crucible and pool at the liquid-solid interface, and measuring the intensity of the beam at the side of the crucible remote from the source of the projected beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of measuring the level of a pool of molten metallic alloy in a bottom-feed crucible in which an ingot extends upwardly into the crucible and the top end of the ingot is melted and evaporated by an electron beam impinging thereon, including the steps of passing a radioactive beam horizontally through the crucible and alloy at the liquid-solid interface, measuring the intensity of the beam passing through the crucible and alloy and determining from the measured intensity the position of the liquid-solid interface of the pool within the crucible, the intensity varying by reason of the physical state of the alloy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |