Patent ID: 6125918
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: B22D,F27B,F27D

Abstract:
A method for measuring volume of liquid metal in a tiltable casting furnace as a function of tilt angle of the furnace, wherein said furnace has an outlet through which liquid metal is poured from the furnace into a launder, said launder being in fluid communication with said outlet and said launder being in fluid communication with molds in which said liquid metal solidifies, said method comprising:(a) establishing a reference curve for the volume of the liquid metal in said tiltable casting furnace as a function of said tilt angle of said furnace at a reference level for liquid metal at said outlet, said reference level being a selected level for liquid metal in said outlet when said liquid metal is poured through said outlet and into said launder, said reference curve having a volume axis and a tilt angle axis;(b) measuring an actual level of said liquid metal at said outlet and calculating a difference in volume of liquid metal in said furnace based on a difference between said actual level of liquid metal at said outlet and said reference level of liquid metal at said outlet;(c) measuring the tilt angle of said furnace, determining a volume of liquid metal in said furnace based on said measured tilt angle and said reference curve; and(d) determining an actual volume of liquid metal in said furnace by adding said volume based on said reference curve to the difference in volume determined in (b).