US3816932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailing gauge
Assignee: Paul Wurth SA
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Filing: 1972-11-22
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for scanning the surface of a charge of material in a shaft furnace in order to provide information as to the charging plane profile. The apparatus includes a gauge device which may be inserted into the furnace to a predetermined position, contact thereupon established with the charge surface and the device thereafter withdrawn from the furnace while maintaining contact with the surface and simultaneously measuring the degree of extension of the device into the furnace and the angle between the surface contacting portion of the device and horizontal. In order to determine the complete charge profile a plurality of the gauge devices are employed.
Inventors
- 👤 E Legille
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:29
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21B; C21B7/00; C21B7/24; G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/28; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for measuring the contour of a portion of an inaccessible surface having a variable profile comprising: gauge arm means; means supporting said gauge arm means for movement axially along a line lying in a plane disposed above the surface to be measured; means for sensing the position of a point on said gauge arm means with respect to a point lying on said line and in a fixed position with respect to the surface to be measured and for generating a signal commensurate with said sensed position; swing arm means pivotally attached to said gauge arm means, said swing arm Means being rotatable in a plane substantially orthogonal to said plane disposed above the surface and containing said line, a first end of said swing arm means contacting the surface to be measured; and means for sensing the angle between said swing arm means and said line during movement of said gauge arm means and for generating a signal commensurate with said angle whereby the contour of the surface may be determined by combining the information provided by said signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for measuring the contour of a portion of an inaccessible surface having a variable profile comprising: gauge arm means; means supporting said gauge arm means for movement axially along a line lying in a plane disposed above the surface to be measured; means for sensing the position of a point on said gauge arm means with respect to a point lying on said line and in a fixed position with respect to the surface to be measured and for generating a signal commensurate with said sensed position; swing arm means pivotally attached to said gauge arm means, said swing arm Means being rotatable in a plane substantially orthogonal to said plane disposed above the surface and containing said line, a first end of said swing arm means contacting the surface to be measured; and means for sensing the angle between said swing arm means and said line during movement of said gauge arm means and for generating a signal commensurate with said angle whereby the contour of the surface may be determined by combining the information provided by said signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface to be measured is defined by the charge in a furnace, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: means positioned externally of the furnace and responsive to said signals commensurate with gauge arm means position and swing arm angle for providing an indication of the furnace charging plane profile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface to be measured is defined by the charge in a furnace and said furnace has a vertical axis, and wherein said means for supporting said gauge arm means for movement conprises: drive means positioned externally of the furnace, said drive means causing horizontal movement of a portion of said gauge arm means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wall of the furnace is provided with a port and wherein said gauge arm means comprises: an elongated rigid gauge arm mounted for horizontal movement by said drive means; and housing means for said gauge arm, said housing means being positioned externally of the furnace and in alignment with the furnace wall port whereby a first end of said gauge arm may be extended into and withdrawn from the furnace.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said swing arm means comprises: a rigid elongated swing arm pivotally connected to said gauge arm adjacent the said first end thereof; and surface contacting means affixed to the first end of said swing arm for reducing the friction between said swing arm first end and the surface of the furnace charge during horizontal motion of said gauge arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: means positioned externally of the furnace and responsive to said signals commensurate with gauge arm position and swing arm angle for providing an indication of the furnace charging plane profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said swing arm is pivotal transversely of the plane of movement of said gauge arm and wherein said apparatus further comprises: latch means for holding said swing arm in alignment with said gauge arm during insertion of said gauge arm first end into a furnace, said latch means being released to permit said contacting means to descend into contact with the charge surface when said gauge arm has been inserted a predetermined distance into the furnace; and means for returning said swing arm to the aligned and latched position as said first end of said gauge arm is withdrawn from the furnace.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said housing means comprises: a pressure sealed protective casing; and closure means mounted between the furnace wall port and said casing for selectively interrupting communication between the interior of said casing and the furnace interior when said gauge arm and swing arm are withdrawn completely into said casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for sensing the angle between said swing arm means and said line comprises: means for mechanically sensing the angle of said swing arm means with respect to said gauge arm means and for generating a mechanical signal commensurate therewith; means positioned within said housing means for converting said mechanical signal into an electrical signal commensurate with the sensed angle; means for transmitting said mechanical signal from said angle sensing means to said cnnverting means; and means for transmitting said electrical signal commensurate with the sensed angle to the exterior of said housing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 9 furtheR comprising: means positioned externally of the furnace and responsive to said signals commensurate with gauge arm position and swing arm angle for providing an indication of the furnace charging plane profile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said housing means comprises: a pressure sealed protective casing; and closure means mounted between the furnace wall port and said casing for selectively interrupting communication between the interior of said casing and the furnace interior when said gauge arm and swing arm are withdrawn completely into said casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said housing means comprises: a pressure sealed protective casing; and closure means mounted between the furnace wall port and said casing for selectively interrupting communication between the interior of said casing and the furnace interior when said gauge arm and swing arm are withdrawn completely into said casing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said swing arm means comprises: a rigid elongated swing arm pivotally connected to said gauge arm means adjacent to said first end thereof; and surface contacting means affixed to the first end of said swing arm for reducing the friction between said swing arm first end and the surface of the furnace charge during horizontal motion of said gauge arm means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for sensing the angle between said swing arm means and said line comprises: means for mechanically sensing the angle of said swing arm means with respect to said gauge arm means and for generating a mechanical signal commensurate therewith; means for transmitting said mechanical signal to a remote location; and means for converting said transmitted mechanical signal at the remote location into an electrical signal commensurate with the sensed angle.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for sensing a portion of the profile of the charging plane in a shaft furnace comprising the steps of: inserting a trailing gauge having a gauge arm with a swing arm pivotally attached to one end thereof into the furnace to a predetermined position; causing the gauge swing arm to contact the surface of the furnace charge; withdrawing the gauge arm axially along a line while maintaining the surface contact; measuring the amount of extension of the gauge arm into the furnace during withdrawal; and simultaneously measuring the angle between the swing arm and gauge arm.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for sensing a portion of the profile of the charging plane in a shaft furnace comprising the steps of: inserting a trailing gauge having a gauge arm with a swing arm pivotally attached to one end thereof into the furnace to a predetermined position; causing the gauge swing arm to contact the surface of the furnace charge; withdrawing the gauge arm axially along a line while maintaining the surface contact; measuring the amount of extension of the gauge arm into the furnace during withdrawal; and simultaneously measuring the angle between the swing arm and gauge arm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of withdrawing the gauge arm comprises: maintaining contact between the swing arm and the surface until withdrawal is substantially completed; and completing withdrawal by raising the swing arm into alignment with the gauge arm.
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) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |