US4881239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fault detection during remelt of electrodes into blocks
Assignee: ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH
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Filing: 1988-06-02
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Granted: 1989-11-14
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Expires: 2008-06-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the detection and evaluation of process parameters arising during the remelting of an electrode (31) to a metallic block (32) in a vacuum arc furnace detects deviations of at least one process parameter from a predetermined course and uses them to locate faults in the electrode and/or in the metal block (32).
Inventors
- 👤 Otto Stenzel
- 👤 Felix Muller
- 👤 Gerhard Bruckmann
- 👤 Alok Choudhury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:37
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B7/00; H05B7/02; H05B7/144; C; C22; C22B; C22B9/00; C22B9/16; C22B9/20; F; F27; F27B; F27B3/00; F27B3/08; F27B3/085; F27B3/10; F27B3/28; F27D; F27D21/00; F27D19/00; F27D2019/0087; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for detecting the location of a fault in a metallic block during the remelting of an electrode in a vacuum are furnace to form said block, said apparatus comprising means for monitoring a first process parameter, means for monitoring a second process parameter, means for continuously correlating the first process parameter to the second process parameter, means for comparing the actual correlation of parameters so monitored to the ideal correlation of said parameters for a fault-free electrode, and means for determining the position of faults in the block from deviations between the actual correlation and the ideal correlation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for detecting the location of a fault in a metallic block during the remelting of an electrode in a vacuum are furnace to form said block, said apparatus comprising means for monitoring a first process parameter, means for monitoring a second process parameter, means for continuously correlating the first process parameter to the second process parameter, means for comparing the actual correlation of parameters so monitored to the ideal correlation of said parameters for a fault-free electrode, and means for determining the position of faults in the block from deviations between the actual correlation and the ideal correlation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for monitoring said first process parameter comprises means for weighing said electrode, said first process parameter being the instantaneous weight of the electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for monitoring said second process parameter comprises means for determining the instantaneous position of the electrode, the second process parameter being the instantaneous position of the electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for monitoring said second process parameter comprises means for determining the instantaneous length of the electrode during the remelt process, said second process parameter being the instantaneous length of the electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said means for determining the instantaneous length of the electrode comprises means for determining the position of the electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the melting current.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the melting voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the rate of feed of the electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the melting rate of the electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the number of drop shorts per unit time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the rate of flow of cooling water required to maintain a given temperature of the melt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the pressure developed in a vessel containing the furnace.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the time transpired since melting began.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said means for monitoring a process parameter comprises means for measuring the sound produced during melting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said means for for measuring sound produced during melting comprises a microphone for converting the sound to electric current.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for determining the position of a fault only determines the position of a fault when the deviation exceeds a predetermined value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1992-11-13 | 1993-05-15 | 1993-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-15 | 1997-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-13 | 2001-05-15 | 2001-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |