US3844172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermocouple test cup and cupholder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-14
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-01-14
Abstract
Abstract An expandable test mold is provided for obtaining data with a high degree of reproducibility on molten materials, especially metal alloys, as the material solidifies and continues to cool within the mold. The mold is preferably cup-shaped, and the data such as that for a cooling curve are taken by a thermocouple which extends into the cup and terminates substantially centrally thereof. The high incidence of reproducible results is primarily due to a continuous, smooth, break-free, internal, integral refractory single or multiple layer coating which entirely covers at least the length of the thermocouple sensing means extending within the cup and preferably the walls and base of the cup as well. Such a coating, free of curtaining and other nonuniformities, can be obtained by first filling the cup with an aqueous slurry of a particulate refractory material and then inverting the cup to allow the slurry to drain for a time sufficient to form the continuous, smooth coating over the entire interior of the mold and the thermocouple sensing means but without losing its ability to flow. Thereafter, the cup is set upright and coating allowed to dry. This process may be repeated to provide additional layers to the coating in order to accelerate the cooling rate of the sample. Optionally, the base of the cup is shaped to place the electro-conducting leads of the thermocouple in predetermined, polarized position so that the cup can be seated in a cupholder in only one, correctly polarized position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Jeric
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/02; G01N25/04; G01K; G01K13/00; G01K13/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S73/00; Y10S73/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
The process for providing a coating on the inside of a thermocouple test cup and on a thermocouple sensing means extending thereinto comprising the steps of 1. filling the cup with an aqueous slurry of a particulate refractory material, 2. inverting the cup and allowing the slurry to drain for a time sufficient to form a continuous, smooth, break-free, integral layer of coating over the entire inside surface of the cup and the surface of the thermocouple sensing means, 3. setting the cup upright while said coating still retains an ability to flour, and 4. allowing the coating to dry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
The process for providing a coating on the inside of a thermocouple test cup and on a thermocouple sensing means extending thereinto comprising the steps of 1. filling the cup with an aqueous slurry of a particulate refractory material, 2. inverting the cup and allowing the slurry to drain for a time sufficient to form a continuous, smooth, break-free, integral layer of coating over the entire inside surface of the cup and the surface of the thermocouple sensing means, 3. setting the cup upright while said coating still retains an ability to flour, and 4. allowing the coating to dry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
inverting the cup and allowing the slurry to drain for a time sufficient to form a continuous, smooth, break-free, integral layer of coating over the entire inside surface of the cup and the surface of the thermocouple sensing means,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
inverting the cup and allowing the slurry to drain for a time sufficient to form a continuous, smooth, break-free, integral layer of coating over the entire inside surface of the cup and the surface of the thermocouple sensing means,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
coating the inside of said cup and said thermocouple sensing means extending thereinto with a layer of refractory material in accordance with all the steps of claim 1, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process for providing a multiple layer coating on the inside of a thermocouple test cup and on a thermocouple sensing means extending thereinto comprising repeating all the series of steps according to claim 1 as many times as layers of coating to be provided.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process for controlling and adjusting the cooling rate of a sample of molten metal alloy comprising the steps of
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process for controlling and adjusting the cooling rate of a sample of molten metal alloy comprising the steps of
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
8 words
repeating step (2) to increase the cooling rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
8 words
repeating step (2) to increase the cooling rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
setting the cup upright while said coating still retains an ability to flour, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
setting the cup upright while said coating still retains an ability to flour, and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
5 words
allowing the coating to dry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
5 words
allowing the coating to dry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
An expendable test mold for obtaining data during and controlling the rate of cooling and solidification of molten material therein, said mold comprising a heat-resistant cup member having walls and a connecting base a thermocouple sensing means extending through the cup member and terminating substantially centrally thereof, and a continuous, smooth, break-free, internal, integral refractory coating substantially entirely covering the walls and base of said cup member and the length of said thermocouple means extending within the cup member, said coating and said cup member having substantially different thermal characteristics whereby the coating modifies the rate of cooling of the sample provided by the cup alone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
An expendable test mold for obtaining data during and controlling the rate of cooling and solidification of molten material therein, said mold comprising a heat-resistant cup member having walls and a connecting base a thermocouple sensing means extending through the cup member and terminating substantially centrally thereof, and a continuous, smooth, break-free, internal, integral refractory coating substantially entirely covering the walls and base of said cup member and the length of said thermocouple means extending within the cup member, said coating and said cup member having substantially different thermal characteristics whereby the coating modifies the rate of cooling of the sample provided by the cup alone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The test mold of claim 4 in which said refractory coating is an air setting material comprised substantially of aluminum oxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
177 words
An expendable test cup for obtaining data during and controlling the rate of cooling and solidification of molten material therein, said cup comprising a heat-resistant cup member having walls and a connecting base, a thermocouple sensing means extending through the cup member and terminating substantially centrally thereof, comprising a pair of electro-conducting wires contained within and insulated from one anOther by an electrically insulating probe member extending within the cup member, said wires projecting from an end portion of the probe member and joined to one another to form a hot junction, said end portion of said probe being shaped to avoid surface angles of more than about 60 degrees, and a continuous, smooth, break-free, internal, integral refractory coating substantially entirely covering the walls and base of said cup member and the length of said probe member extending within the cup member including said end portion and said hot junction, said coating and said cup member having substantially different thermal characteristics whereby the coating modifies the rate of cooling of the sample provided by the cup alone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
177 words
An expendable test cup for obtaining data during and controlling the rate of cooling and solidification of molten material therein, said cup comprising a heat-resistant cup member having walls and a connecting base, a thermocouple sensing means extending through the cup member and terminating substantially centrally thereof, comprising a pair of electro-conducting wires contained within and insulated from one anOther by an electrically insulating probe member extending within the cup member, said wires projecting from an end portion of the probe member and joined to one another to form a hot junction, said end portion of said probe being shaped to avoid surface angles of more than about 60 degrees, and a continuous, smooth, break-free, internal, integral refractory coating substantially entirely covering the walls and base of said cup member and the length of said probe member extending within the cup member including said end portion and said hot junction, said coating and said cup member having substantially different thermal characteristics whereby the coating modifies the rate of cooling of the sample provided by the cup alone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
124 words
An expendable test cup for obtaining data during and controlling the rate of cooling and solidification of molten material therein, said cup comprising a heat-resistant cup member having walls and a connecting base and comprising sand and a binder, a theremocouple sensing means extending through the cup member and terminating substantially centrally thereof, and a continuous, smooth, break-free, internal, integral refractory coating of an air setting material comprised substantially of aluminum oxide, said coating substantially entirely covering the walls and base of said cup member and the length of said thermocouple means extending within the cup member, said coating and said cup member having substantially different thermal characteristics whereby the coating modifies the rate of cooling of the sample provided by the cup alone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
124 words
An expendable test cup for obtaining data during and controlling the rate of cooling and solidification of molten material therein, said cup comprising a heat-resistant cup member having walls and a connecting base and comprising sand and a binder, a theremocouple sensing means extending through the cup member and terminating substantially centrally thereof, and a continuous, smooth, break-free, internal, integral refractory coating of an air setting material comprised substantially of aluminum oxide, said coating substantially entirely covering the walls and base of said cup member and the length of said thermocouple means extending within the cup member, said coating and said cup member having substantially different thermal characteristics whereby the coating modifies the rate of cooling of the sample provided by the cup alone.
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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |