Patent · US Active

Methods and systems for monitoring a solid-liquid interface

US8030633B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
2References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 2008
Grant dateOct 4, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC30B29/06
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a solid-liquid interface, including providing a vessel configured to contain an at least partially melted material; detecting radiation reflected from a surface of a liquid portion of the at least partially melted material; providing sound energy to the surface; measuring a disturbance on the surface; calculating at least one frequency associated with the disturbance; and determining a thickness of the liquid portion based on the at least one frequency, wherein the thickness is calculated based on L=(2m−1)vs/4f, where f is the frequency where the disturbance has an amplitude maximum, vs is the speed of sound in the material, and m is a positive integer (1, 2, 3, . . . ).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.