The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 10, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 20, 1999
Daniel A Goldstein, Lafayette Hill, PA (US);
Alok Sharan, Easton, PA (US);
Elizabeth Ann Fuchs, Livermore, CA (US);
Bethlehem Steel Corporation, , US;
Abstract
A system and method for detecting molten slag in a tap stream between a steel making basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and corresponding ladle. BOFs are used in the manufacture of steel. An infrared (IR) imaging or detecting device is used to image/view the BOF-to-ladle tap stream, the steam transmitting energy indicative of whether molten steel and/or slag is in the stream at a given time. The imaging device uses mainly long IR wavelengths (e.g. wavelengths of from about 8 to 14 .mu.m) when imaging the molten tap stream, because these wavelengths are less susceptible to being blocked or absorbed by airborne gases and particles frequently found in BOF environments. In certain embodiments, all IR wavelengths other than those greater than about 8 .mu.m are filtered out and are not used to detect slag in the tap stream.