US3685358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for indicating the rise of liquid in a mold
Assignee: Voestalpine AG
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Filing: 1970-06-17
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A refractory float is adapted to float on liquid metal in a mold and is connected to a rotatably mounted winding drum by a flexible connecting element, which is adapted to be wound up on said drum and to be unwound therefrom by a rotation of said drum. Drum-driving means are operatively connected to said drum and arranged normally to exert on said drum a torque which is insufficient to raise said float when the same is supported only by said flexible connecting element and which is sufficient to maintain said flexible connecting element taut when said float is supported by means other than said flexible connecting element. A transducer is provided as well as means operatively connecting the transducer to the drum. The transducer is operable to produce an electric output signal in response to an angular movement of said drum. Signal-utilizing means are connected to said transducer and responsive to said output signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Franz Hubner
- 👤 Walter Jilek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:58
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D2/00; B22D2/003; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/40; G01F23/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for indicating the rise of liquid metal in a mold, which apparatus comprises a refractory float adapted to float on liquid metal in a mold, a rotatably mounted winding drum, a flexible connecting element which is connected to said float and to said drum and adapted to be wound up on and unwound therefrom by a rotation of said drum, drum-driving means operatively connected to said drum and selected normally to exert on said drum a torque which is insufficient to raise said float when the same is supported only by said flexible connecting element and which is sufficient to maintain said flexible connecting element taut when said float is supported by the liquid metal in the mold, a transducer comprising an alternating-current generator operable to produce an a.c. output signal in response to an angular movement of said drum, a speed-increasing transmission mechanically connecting said generator to said drum whereby the output signal is representative of the speed of said drum, a signal-utilizing means comprising indicating means connected to said generator and responsive to said output signal, and a rectifier arranged between the generator and the signalutilizing means to convert said a.c. signal into a d.c. signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for indicating the rise of liquid metal in a mold, which apparatus comprises a refractory float adapted to float on liquid metal in a mold, a rotatably mounted winding drum, a flexible connecting element which is connected to said float and to said drum and adapted to be wound up on and unwound therefrom by a rotation of said drum, drum-driving means operatively connected to said drum and selected normally to exert on said drum a torque which is insufficient to raise said float when the same is supported only by said flexible connecting element and which is sufficient to maintain said flexible connecting element taut when said float is supported by the liquid metal in the mold, a transducer comprising an alternating-current generator operable to produce an a.c. output signal in response to an angular movement of said drum, a speed-increasing transmission mechanically connecting said generator to said drum whereby the output signal is representative of the speed of said drum, a signal-utilizing means comprising indicating means connected to said generator and responsive to said output signal, and a rectifier arranged between the generator and the signalutilizing means to convert said a.c. signal into a d.c. signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said flexible connecting element consists of wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said flexible connecting element consists of a cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said drum-driving means comprise a torsion spring connected to said drum and arranged to be torsionally stressed as said flexible connecting element is unwound from said drum and to exert on said drum a torque which is insufficient to raise said float when said flexible connecting element has been entirely unwound from said drum and said float is supported only by said flexible connecting element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said signal-utilizing means comprise a voltage amplifier operable to amplify said d.c. signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said signal-utilizing means comprise an indicating device operable to indicate said d.c. signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said signal-utilizing means comprise a recorder operable to record said d.c. signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said transducer comprises a constant-voltage source and a potentiometer connected to said constant-voltage source and mechanically connected to said drum and arranged to convert an angular movement of said drum into a change of voltage representing said output signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, in which said signal-utilizing means comprise: an operational amplifier connected to said potentiometer and responsive to said change of voltage to produce an amplified signal, an integrator connected to said amplifier and operable to integrate said amplified signal to produce an integrated analog signal, an analog-digital converter connected to said integrator and operable to convert said integrated analog signal into a digital signal, and means adapted to utilize said digital signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, in which said signal-utilizing means comprise a moving-coil recorder connected to said potentiometer and responsive to said change of voltage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said transducer, said drum, and said means operatively connecting said transducer to said drum are contained in a closed housing, means are provided for fixing said housing to a wall, and said flexible connecting element extends out of said housing to said float.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |