Patent US3773641A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3773641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for determining the oxygen content of liquid metals
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-04-30
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A probe capable of being plunged into a high temperature liquid metal without destructive thermal shock for determining the dissolved oxygen content of the liquid metal comprises an elongated electrically insulating refractory envelope and a small mass of refractory oxide-type oxygen-anion permeable solid electrolyte material supported adjacent one end of the envelope. At least a portion of at least one side of the mass is exposed through an opening in the envelope for contact with the liquid metal, and the aforementioned side portion is disposed adjacent the one envelope end. Reference means are provided in the envelope for contacting an apposed side of the mass with an oxygen reference material. The probe is provided with circuit means extending into the envelope for electrically contacting the apposed side of the mass, together with additional circuit means disposed for electrically contacting the liquid metal for measuring an emf developed across the mass in proportion to the aforesaid dissolved oxygen content.
Inventors
- 👤 G Fitterer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/403; G01N27/406; G01N27/411; G01N27/4118
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
The probe according to claim 1 further including a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of said liquid metal and for correlation with said probe emf, said thermocouple forming part of said circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The probe according to claim 1 further including means for measuring the temperature of said liquid metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said envelope is fabricated from alumina.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said envelope is fabricated from either fused silica or from fused quartz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said electrolyte material is an unsaturated oxide-spinel type crystalline material selected from a group conforming to the following general equations: MO + N2O3 MN2O4 2MO + NO2 NM2O4 M2O + NO3 NM2O4 where M is a metal of lower valence than metal N and is present in less than the stoichiometric amount to form the saturated spinel thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is selected from a group consisting of stabilized zirconia and stabilized thoria.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said electrolyte material is calcia-stabilized zirconia and said envelope is fabricated from alumina.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said electrolyte material is calcia-stabilized zirconia and said envelope is fabricated from fused quartz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said means to provide an oxygen reference material includes means for circulating an oxygen containing reference gas continuously through said probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said envelope is mounted on a support, and said second conductor is substantially coterminous with said envelope to facilitate the determination of said oxygen content at a given location within said liquid metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said second conductor has a tubular shape, and said probe further includes means for mounting said envelope generally within said tubular conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The probe according to claim 1 further including an elongated support and a plug member, said envelope being mounted on said plug member which is detachably mounted on said elongated support.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The probe according to claim 13 wherein said plug member and said elongated support include interfitting portions respectively, and mating contact members disposed respectively on said interfitting portions, said circuit means being connected to said plug member contacts, and external measuring circuitry being connected to said elongated support contacts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The probe according to claim 14 wherein contacts on at least one of said portions are commutative so that said plug member contacts are electrically connected to said support member contacts irrespective of the rotative position of said plug member on said support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The probe according to claim 13 further including a thermal insulating member provided on said support adjacent said probe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe according to claim 13 further including a thermal insulating member comprising a refractory tube provided on said elongated support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said envelope is mounted on a support therefor, a cap member is mounted on said support, said cap member being shaped to enclose the otherwise exposed end of said envelope and said mass.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The probe according to claim 18 wherein said cap is fabricated from a material which melts or dissolves in said liquid metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |