On the use of an acoustic sensor for measuring the level of a zinc pot

용융아연욕 탕면 높이 측정을 위한 초음파 센서의 사용에 관하여

Throughout CGL (Continuous Galvanizing Line) in steel works, zinc-coated steel sheets are produced which are used where long-running corrosion resistivity is required. During the galvanizing process, top dross is created and floated on the zinc pot. Because the dross leaves ill patterns on the coated sheets, a robot system is developed to automatically collect and remove the top dross. It consists of a robot and its carriage system, a pot level sensor, a system controller, and special robot tools. For the first time the level of zinc pot must be measured and fed back to the robot controller to avoid submersion of the robot hand into the hot zinc pot. In this paper, acoustic distance sensor is tested as a candidate for the pot level sensor in the view point of hot environment. Some considerations on the use of the acoustic distance sensor will be denoted.