Patent ID: 6909495
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: F22B,G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. An emissivity probe for measuring the reflectivity of a surface of a boiler for use in controlling boiler cleaning systems and of a type adapted to be mounted to an exterior wall of the boiler, comprising; a flange assembly adapted to be mounted to the boiler wall; a tube assembly defining a proximal end affixed to the flange assembly and a distal end for extending into the boiler interior, the tube assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube extending coaxially within the outer tube, the inner and outer tubes cooperating to define an annular cooling fluid passageway, at least two optical guides located within the inner tube extending between distal and proximal ends of the inner tube, ends of the first and second optical guides positioned adjacent to the distal end of the inner tube and oriented to receive light inputs from two different first and second directions respectively from within the boiler interior, wherein the first direction is oriented to receive light directly from the combustion process within the boiler interior and the second direction is oriented to receive light reflected by the surface of the boiler; a cooling fluid supply for causing a flow of cooling fluid through the annular coolant fluid passageway; and a first and a second sensor located adjacent the proximal end of the first and second optical guides respectively adapted to receive light signals transmitted by the optical guides, the emissivity being associated with the ratio of the reflected light intensity from the surface of the boiler to the light intensity from the combustion process.