Patent US2320035A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3701518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oxygen lance control arrangement for basic oxygen furnace
Assignee: Berry Metal Co
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Filing: 1969-10-03
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1989-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A ranging radar system is employed in combination with the oxygen blowing lance of a basic oxygen furnace to make an absolute measurement of the distance between the lance and the level of molten material within the furnace vessel. This measurement may be made while the level of molten material is quiescent, i.e., before the oxygen blowing operation is started, and may be used either to calibrate the existing lance drum indicator or directly as a measurement of lance height in the overall computer control of the furnace. In the alternative, the measurement of lance height from the molten surface may be made during the oxygen blowing operation and may be employed for accurate lance positioning during blow or the accurate repositioning of the lance in the event a reblow operation is required to obtain a desired quality of steel for a particular heat.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis M Herff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 02:33
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21C; C21C5/00; C21C5/28; C21C5/42; C21C5/46; C21C5/4673; C21C5/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
In a basic oxygen furnace having a vessel adapted to contain molten material and including an oxygen lance movable to a position somewhat above the level of the material in said vessel and having nozzle means arranged to emit a stream of oxygen against the material in said vessel, the combination of an electromagnetic wave generator, means for modulating an electromagnetic wave developed by said electromagnetic wave generator, means for directing said modulated electromagnetic wave downwardly through said nozzle means in a substantially unobstructed manner such that said modulated wave strikes the surface of the material in said vessel and is continuously reflected back through said nozzle means, receiving means for receiving said continuously reflected modulated wave, and means utilizing the modulation components of said transmitted wave and said received wave to develop an output signal which is continuously proportional to the distance of said nozzle means from the material in said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a basic oxygen furnace having a vessel adapted to contain molten material and including an oxygen lance movable to a position somewhat above the level of the material in said vessel and having nozzle means arranged to emit a stream of oxygen against the material in said vessel, the combination of an electromagnetic wave generator, means for modulating an electromagnetic wave developed by said electromagnetic wave generator, means for directing said modulated electromagnetic wave downwardly through said nozzle means in a substantially unobstructed manner such that said modulated wave strikes the surface of the material in said vessel and is continuously reflected back through said nozzle means, receiving means for receiving said continuously reflected modulated wave, and means utilizing the modulation components of said transmitted wave and said received wave to develop an output signal which is continuously proportional to the distance of said nozzle means from the material in said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
In combination, a vessel for molten material, a tubular gas blowing lance adapted to be lowered into said vessel and having a tip portion including at least one nozzle adapted to form a high velocity jet when gas is supplied to the upper end of said lance, means for developing an electromagnetic wave, wave guide means positioned within said lance and spaced from the interior wall thereof, means for supplying said developed wave to said wave guide means, means connecting said wave guide means with said nozzle so that said electromagnetic wave is directed downwardly through said nozzle and is reflected back through said nozzle, and distance measuring means responsive at least in part to said reflected wave for developing an output signal continuously representing the distance from said lance tip to a reflecting surface within said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
In combination, a vessel for molten material, a tubular gas blowing lance adapted to be lowered into said vessel and having a tip portion including at least one nozzle adapted to form a high velocity jet when gas is supplied to the upper end of said lance, means for developing an electromagnetic wave, wave guide means positioned within said lance and spaced from the interior wall thereof, means for supplying said developed wave to said wave guide means, means connecting said wave guide means with said nozzle so that said electromagnetic wave is directed downwardly through said nozzle and is reflected back through said nozzle, and distance measuring means responsive at least in part to said reflected wave for developing an output signal continuously representing the distance from said lance tip to a reflecting surface within said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said vessel is adapted to receive molten iron and said gas supplied to said lance is oxygen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said wave guide means is positioned adjacent said nozzle and is provided with openings therein for admitting oxygen to said nozzle from the interior of said lance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claiM 4, wherein said openings are of such dimensions and spacing as to contain said electromagnetic wave within said wave guide means while permitting the flow of oxygen to said nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said nozzle includes a divergent portion which acts as a horn antenna for said electromagnetic wave.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein said divergent portion acts as a horn antenna both for transmitting said electromagnetic wave away from said lance tip and for receiving back said reflected wave.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
In combination, a vessel for molten material, a tubular gas blowing lance adapted to be moved into said vessel and having a tip portion which includes at least one nozzle adapted to form a high velocity jet when gas is supplied to the upper end of said lance, said nozzle having a throat portion of restricted diameter which prevents the transmission of electromagnetic waves therethrough which have a frequency below a predetermined value, means for transmitting an electromagnetic wave having a frequency above said predetermined value downwardly through said nozzle, and means for receiving said electromagnetic wave after it has been reflected from a surface within said vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
In combination, a vessel for molten material, a tubular gas blowing lance adapted to be moved into said vessel and having a tip portion which includes at least one nozzle adapted to form a high velocity jet when gas is supplied to the upper end of said lance, said nozzle having a throat portion of restricted diameter which prevents the transmission of electromagnetic waves therethrough which have a frequency below a predetermined value, means for transmitting an electromagnetic wave having a frequency above said predetermined value downwardly through said nozzle, and means for receiving said electromagnetic wave after it has been reflected from a surface within said vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 8, wherein said receiving means is positioned within said tubular lance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said nozzle includes a convergent portion and said wave guide means is cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter as said convergent portion of said nozzle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 1, which includes means for moving said lance up and down, and means responsive to said output signal for controlling said lance moving means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said nozzle means is arranged so that oxygen supplied to the upper end of said lance issues from said nozzle means in the form of a high velocity jet which produces a cavity in the surface of the material in said vessel, and said output signal varies continuously in accordance with variations in the distance between said cavity and said lance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein the force of said high velocity jet which strikes the material in said vessel sets up wave-like motion in said material and said output signal includes frequency components corresponding to different modes of oscillatory movement of said material within said vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said modulated electromagnetic wave is continuously developed and is frequency modulated in accordance with a predetermined modulation pattern, said output signal comprises a signal in the audible range, and the rate at which said modulation pattern is repeated is substantially lower than said output signal frequency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said downwardly directed and reflected waves are in the form of pulse modulated electromagnetic waves of relatively short duration, and said output signal is derived by measuring the time interval between said downwardly directed pulses and said reflected pulse.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said nozzle means comprises at least two nozzles in the end of said lance, means for directing said modulated wave through one of said nozzles, said last named means partially obstructing the flow of oxygen through said one nozzle, and means positioned to partially obstruct the flow of oxygen through said other nozzle by an amount sufficient to balance the partially obstructed flow through said one nozzle.
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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) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |