Aluminum Company of America

Mark F Warchol

Ronald C Wojnar

Lawrence W Cisko

John M Urbanic

Daniel A Anderson

Richard C Stiffler

An apparatus for conducting ultrasonic waves to and from a body of a molten material. The apparatus includes a buffer rod for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the molten metal, a second buffer rod for receiving ultrasonic waves from the molten metal, piezoelectric elements associated with each buffer rod, and cooling mechanisms for protecting the piezoelectric elements by maintaining the buffer rods at a prescribed rate of thermal equilibrium with the molten metal. The cooling mechanisms are configured so as to facilitate regulation of the air flow about the apparatus.

Apparatus and method for ultrasonic particle detection in molten metal

An apparatus and a method is provided for determining the equilibrium of the partial pressures of two gases having different thermal conductivities. The apparatus includes a single sensor adapter to be contacted by the two gases, and heated by a flow of electrical current through the sensor. A circuit is provided for maintaining the sensor at a constant level of electrical resistance and hence at a constant temperature. The sensor, in addition, is connected as one leg of a bridge circuit, the output of which represents changes occurring in the thermal conductivity of a mixture of the gases.

Filament drive circuit

A method of determining the gas content of a body or flow of molten metal of a known alloy. The method includes the steps of providing a carrier gas and directing the same into the molten metal. The carrier gas creates in the molten metal free surfaces such that molecules of the gas content migrate to the free surfaces and accumulate in the carrier gas. The method next determines the occurrence of equilibrium between the carrier gas and the gas content in the molten metal, the magnitude of equilibrium pressure, and the temperature of the molten metal. Signals are developed representing respectively the equilibrium pressure and temperature, which signals are directed to a computing device. Information is also directed to the computing device that represents the solubility of the gas content in the alloy of the molten metal under test. The computing device calculates the gas content of the molten metal from the equilibrium pressure, molten metal temperature and solubility information to provide a direct and accurate readout of the gas content.

Method and apparatus for determining soluble gas content

A single catharometer cell is employed in combination with a source of DC voltage and a device that provides constant electrical current for the cell. The constant current source provides a fixed reference for balancing against the electrical current flow through the cell when the cell contains only a carrier gas. An operational amplifier is connected across the cell and is adjustable to provide a desired output when a known amount of a second gas is present in the cell.

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New Kensington, PA, United States of America

Mark F Warchol