US3905239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailing gauge
Assignee: Paul Wurth SA
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Filing: 1973-12-05
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-12-05
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furnace to a predetermined position, contact thereupon established with the charge surface and the device thereafter withdrawn from the furnace while maintaining contact with the surface and simultaneously measuring the degree of extension of the device into the furnace and the angle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
- 👤 Edouard Legille
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/003; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for taking measurements at an inaccessible surface having a variable contour 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 on 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 relative to a plane disposed above the said surface and containing said line, a first end of said arm means contacting the surface to be measured; means for sensing the angle between said swing arm means and said plane 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 information commensurate with the position of said swing arm means first end provided by said signals generated by said position and angle sensing means; means on said swing arm means for sensing a dynamic condition at the surface being measured; and means transmitting information commensurate with said sensed dynamic condition to a remote location whereby the profile of said surface and a dynamic condition at said surface may be simultaneously meansured.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for taking measurements at an inaccessible surface having a variable contour 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 on 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 relative to a plane disposed above the said surface and containing said line, a first end of said arm means contacting the surface to be measured; means for sensing the angle between said swing arm means and said plane 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 information commensurate with the position of said swing arm means first end provided by said signals generated by said position and angle sensing means; means on said swing arm means for sensing a dynamic condition at the surface being measured; and means transmitting information commensurate with said sensed dynamic condition to a remote location whereby the profile of said surface and a dynamic condition at said surface may be simultaneously meansured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dynamic condition sensing means comprises: temperature sensitive means mounted on said swing arm means for generating an electrical signal commensurate with the temperature in the vicinity of the surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said swing arm means comprises: a rigid elongated swing arm pivotally connected to said gauge arm means adjacent the said first end thereof; and surface contacting means affixed to the first end of said swing arm, said contacting means permitting movement of said swing arm first end over the surface during motion of said gauge arm means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said swing arm is pivotal transversely of the plane of movement of said gauge arm means and wherein said apparatus further comprises: latch means for holding said swing arm in alignment with said gauge arm means during extension of said gauge arm means first end over said surface, said latch means being released to permit said contacting means to descent into contact the surface when said gauge arm means had been extended a predetermined distance; and means for returning said swing arm to the aligned and latched position as said gauge arm means is withdrawn from over the surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the surface of interest is defined by the charge in a furnace and wherein said dynamic condition sensing means comprises: temperature sensitive means mounted on said swing arm for generating an electrical signal commensurate with the temperature in the vicinity of the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: gas extraction means mounted on said swing arm; and means for transmitting gas from said extraction means to the exterior of the furnace.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for sensing the position of a point on said gauge arm means with respect to a reference point and for generating a signal commensurate with said sensed position; 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 of the furnace charge may be determined by combining the information provided by said position and angle signals simultaneously with the measurement of the charge surface temperature and sensing of gases adjacent the charge surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 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 position of said swing arm means with respect to said gauge arm means and for generating a mechanical signal commensurate therewith; means for converting said mechanical signal into an electrical signal commensurate with the measured angle; and means for transmitting said electrical signal commensurate with the measured angle to the exterior of the furnace.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: means positioned externally of the furnace and responsive to said signal commensurate with gauge arm means position and swing arm means angle for providing an indication of the furnace charging plane profile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for sensing conditions at the surface of a charge of material deposited on the hearth of a furnace, said furnace charge surface having a variable profile, the apparatus comprising: gauge arm means; means supporting said gauge arm means for movement into the furnace along a line lying in a plane disposed above the surface of the furnace charge; swing arm means pivotally attached to said gauge arm means, said swing arm means being rotatable relative to a plane disposed above the charge surface and containing said line, a first end of said swing arm means being capable of contacting the surface of the furnace charge; means on said swing arm means for sensing a dynamic condition at the surface of the furnace charge; and means transmitting information commensurate with said sensed dynamic condition to the exterior of the furnace.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for sensing conditions at the surface of a charge of material deposited on the hearth of a furnace, said furnace charge surface having a variable profile, the apparatus comprising: gauge arm means; means supporting said gauge arm means for movement into the furnace along a line lying in a plane disposed above the surface of the furnace charge; swing arm means pivotally attached to said gauge arm means, said swing arm means being rotatable relative to a plane disposed above the charge surface and containing said line, a first end of said swing arm means being capable of contacting the surface of the furnace charge; means on said swing arm means for sensing a dynamic condition at the surface of the furnace charge; and means transmitting information commensurate with said sensed dynamic condition to the exterior of the furnace.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said dynamic condition sensing means comprises: temperature sensitive means mounted on said swing arm means for generating an electrical signal commensurate with the temperature in the vicinity of the surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: gas extraction means mounted on said swing arm means, and means for transmitting gas from said extraction means to the exterior of the furnace.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for sensing static and dynamic conditions at the surface of the charge in a shaft furnace comprising the steps of: inserting a trailing gauge into the furnace to a predetermined position, the trailing gauge including a horizontally extendable member having a gauge arm pivotally mounted to the end thereof disposed in the furnace; causing the free end of the gauge arm to contact the surface of the furnace charge; withdrawing the trailing gauge while maintaining contact between the free end of the gauge arm and the surface of the furnace charge; measuring the amount of extension of the horizontally extendable member of the trailing gauge into the furnace during withdrawal; simultaneously measuring the angle between the pivotal gauge arm and horizontal; and sensing a dynamic condition at the surface of the charge during withdrawal of the trailing gauge and transmitting a signal commensurate with the sensed condition to the exterior of the furnace through the gauge.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for sensing static and dynamic conditions at the surface of the charge in a shaft furnace comprising the steps of: inserting a trailing gauge into the furnace to a predetermined position, the trailing gauge including a horizontally extendable member having a gauge arm pivotally mounted to the end thereof disposed in the furnace; causing the free end of the gauge arm to contact the surface of the furnace charge; withdrawing the trailing gauge while maintaining contact between the free end of the gauge arm and the surface of the furnace charge; measuring the amount of extension of the horizontally extendable member of the trailing gauge into the furnace during withdrawal; simultaneously measuring the angle between the pivotal gauge arm and horizontal; and sensing a dynamic condition at the surface of the charge during withdrawal of the trailing gauge and transmitting a signal commensurate with the sensed condition to the exterior of the furnace through the gauge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of withdrawing the gauge comprises: maintaining contact between the gauge portion and the surface until withdrawal is substantially completed; and completing withdrawal by raising the surface contacting gauge portion into alignment with the further gauge portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of sensing a dynamic surface condition comprises: measuring the temperature adjacent the surface during withdrawal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of sensing a dynamic surface condition comprises: sampling the gas adjacent the surface during withdrawal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising: sampling the gas adjacent the surface during withdrawal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface of interest is defined by a charge in a furnace and wherein said dynamic conditIon sensing means comprises: gas extraction means mounted on said swing arm means, gas sampled by said extraction means being transmitted to the exterior of the surface by said information transmitting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said dynamic condition sensing means comprises: gas extraction means mounted on said swing arm means.
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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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |