METHODS OF LITHIUM LEVEL MEASUREMENT AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE
Methods and systems for the measurement of molten metal and metal alloy levels within a crucible are provided. The system includes a crucible, a probe having an electrode disposed at a lowermost probe position, and a processing system configured to receive a signal from the electrode to evaluate whether the electrode is in contact with the liquid metal. The system can include a plurality of probes, with each probe having an electrode positioned at a different height within the crucible interior. A multi-probe system can inform a system user on molten metal levels at various sectors within the crucible interior.
1 . A liquid metal level measurement system, comprising:
a crucible operable to contain a liquid metal;
a probe fixedly coupled to the crucible, comprising:
an electrode disposed at a lowermost probe position; and
a processing system configured to receive a signal from the electrode to evaluate whether the electrode is in contact with the liquid metal.
2 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the probe further comprises an electrically-conductive component disposed within a probe interior and electrically-coupled to the electrode and the processing system.
3 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the crucible comprises an electrically-conductive material.
4 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the crucible is grounded.
5 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 1 , further comprising a circuit configured to provide an open/closed signal to the processing system.
6 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 5 , wherein the circuit is configured to send an open circuit status signal to the processing system when the electrode is not in contact with liquid metal.
7 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 5 , wherein the circuit is configured to send a closed circuit status signal to the processing system when the electrode is in contact with liquid metal.
8 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the probe is made of an insulating material.
9 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises an insulating material on a probe exterior.
10 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises stainless steel.
11 . A liquid metal level measurement system, comprising:
a crucible comprising an electrically-conductive material and operable to contain a liquid metal;
at least two probes fixedly coupled to the crucible, wherein each of the at least two probes comprises an electrode at a respective lowermost probe position and disposed within a crucible volume; wherein the at least two electrodes are electrically-coupled to a multi-loop circuit; and
a processing system configured to receive a signal from each of the at least two electrodes to evaluate whether each of the at least two electrodes is in contact with the liquid metal.
12 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 11 , wherein each of the at least two electrodes is provided at a different height within the crucible volume.
13 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 11 , wherein the crucible is grounded.
14 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 11 , wherein each of the at least two probes further comprises an electrically-conductive component disposed within a probe interior and electrically-coupled to a respective electrode and the processing system.
15 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 11 , wherein the multi-loop circuit is configured to provide an open/closed circuit loop signal for each circuit loop to the processing system.
16 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 15 , wherein each of the at least two electrodes is configured to function as a switch for a distinct circuit loop.
17 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 16 , wherein a circuit loop is configured to send a closed circuit loop state signal to the processing system when a corresponding electrode is in contact with liquid metal.
18 . The liquid metal level measurement system of claim 16 , wherein a circuit loop is configured to send an open circuit loop state signal to the processing system when a corresponding electrode is not in contact with liquid metal.
19 . A method of measuring a liquid metal level within a crucible, comprising:
providing a liquid metal to a crucible, wherein the crucible comprises:
at least one insulated probe fixedly coupled to the crucible, wherein each of the at least one probe comprises an electrode disposed at a lowermost probe position and within a crucible volume;
receiving a signal from each of the at least one electrode with a processing system that is configured to evaluate whether each of the at least one electrodes is in contact with the liquid metal;
determining, with the processing system, a liquid metal level relative to a height of each of the at least one electrode within the crucible.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising at least two electrodes, wherein each of the at least two electrodes is provided at a different height within the crucible.