Methods and systems for monitoring a solid-liquid interface

Details Methods and systems for monitoring a solid-liquid interface Methods and systems for monitoring a solid-liquid interface

2008-09-19

2011-10-04

Sohn, Seung C (Department: 2878)

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Optical or pre-photocell system

C250S574000, C250S227140, C073S293000

Reexamination Certificate

active

08030633

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, vsis the speed of sound in the material, and m is a positive integer (1, 2, 3, . . . ).

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