Apparatus for detecting and displaying varying levels of a metal melt

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus used for detecting and displaying varying levels of a metal melt, for example in a continuous casting mould, a tundish, an ingot or the like.

1 . Apparatus, simultaneously detecting and displaying varying levels of a metal melt and an associated slag layer in a continuous casting mould, comprising:
 1.1 at least one source of radiation ( 20 ), arranged on one side of the mould ( 14 ) along a first distinct length in a longitudinal direction and emitting radiation photons towards an opposite side of the mould ( 14 ),   1.2 at least one series of sensitive detectors ( 30 . 1  . . .  30 . 8 ), arranged one adjacent to the other along a second distinct length in said longitudinal direction on said opposite side of the mould ( 14 ),   1.3 each detector ( 30 . 1  . . .  30 . 8 ) being arranged so as to receive incident photons emitted all over the first length by said source of radiation ( 20 ).   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with 3 to 15 detectors ( 30 . 1  . . .  30 . 8 ) being arranged along said second distinct length. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with a first distinct length of more than 5 cm and a second distinct length of more than 5 cm. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with a first distinct length of more than 10 cm and a second distinct length of more than 10 cm. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with said first distinct length corresponding said second distinct length. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with said first distinct length being longer than said second distinct length. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with each detector ( 30 . 1  . . .  30 . 8 ) having a length, in the longitudinal direction, of 0.2 to 3 cm. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with each detector ( 30 . 1  . . .  30 . 8 ) having a length, in the longitudinal direction, of 0.5 to 1.5 cm. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  with termini (T1,T2) of said first and second distinct length being arranged above and below an estimated maximum and minimum level to be detected. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising means for evaluating and forwarding signals received from the detectors ( 30 . 1  . . .  30 . 8 ) to a data processor, collecting the variable signals, received by each detector ( 30 . 1  . . .  30 . 8 ), in a time-dependent manner and calculating the respective level of the metal melt and the associated slag layer respectively, subject to the signals collected, at a specific time. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the collecting of signals and the calculating of the respective levels of the metal melt and the associated slag layer are effected continuously. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the collecting of signals and the calculating of the respective levels of the metal melt and the associated slag layer are effected in a cycling manner with a clock rate of 0.01 to 2 seconds.