KR101484695B1 - Connecting apparatus between obtical fiber and spectrometer, and system for measuring purity of hot slab - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for connecting an optical fiber with a spectroscopic device and a system for measuring the cleanliness of a hot slab. The device for connecting an optical fiber with a spectroscopic device includes a first lens collecting an optical signal by refracting the optical signal outputted through the optical fiber, a second lens emitting the optical signal to an incident slit of the spectroscopic device by refracting the signal inputted through the first lens, and a housing including a through hole accepting the first and second lenses, having a first step combined with the optical fiber, and having a second step combined with the spectroscopic device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a connection apparatus for connecting an optical fiber and a spectroscope, and a cleanliness measuring system for a hot slab,

The present invention relates to a connection device for connecting an optical fiber and a spectroscope, and a cleanliness measurement system for a hot slab.

Inevitably, due to the characteristics of the continuous casting process, non-metallic oxide inclusions and precipitates are generated inside the hot slab. These inclusions and precipitates act as a cause of deteriorating the quality of the slab, and it is necessary to measure the type and amount of inclusions and precipitates for quality control of the slab.

In the past, slab samples were taken and inclusions and precipitates inside the slabs were measured by measuring inclusions and precipitates in off-line. However, this method is time-consuming and cost-effective because it takes a long time to collect and analyze samples.

On the other hand, the inside of the hot slab in an online state maintains a high temperature state of 200 to 800 캜. Therefore, it is difficult to measure inclusions and precipitates of non-metallic oxidative physical properties generated in the hot slab in an on-line state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection device for connecting an optical fiber and a spectroscope to each other so as to minimize the loss of an optical signal incident on the spectroscopic device by moving the optical fiber at a long distance through the optical fiber, And to provide a cleanliness measurement system of a hot slab capable of measuring inclusions and precipitates.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a coupling device for coupling an optical fiber and a spectroscope includes a first lens for refracting and condensing an optical signal output through the optical fiber, a second lens for condensing an optical signal incident through the first lens, A second lens for irradiating the light to an incident slit of the spectroscopic device, and a through hole for receiving the first and second lenses, wherein the first end is coupled to the optical fiber and the second end is coupled to the spectroscopic device And a housing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for measuring the cleanliness of a hot slab includes a laser generator for irradiating a laser beam to generate a plasma optical signal on the hot slab, an optical fiber for receiving and transmitting the plasma optical signal, A spectroscope for spectroscopically measuring the plasma optical signal transmitted through the spectroscopic unit and for acquiring intensity information for each wavelength of the plasma optical signal by a spectroscopic method for each wavelength, a connecting device for connecting the optical fiber and the spectroscopic device, And a calculation device for measuring the inclusions and the amount of precipitates in the slab, wherein the connecting device comprises: a first lens for refracting and condensing the optical signal output through the optical fiber; A second lens for refracting the incident light to refract the incident slit of the spectroscopic device, 1 and includes a through hole for receiving a second lens, the first stage is coupled to the optical fiber comprises a housing second end is coupled to the spectroscope.

The connection device for connecting the optical fiber to the spectroscope and the cleanliness measurement system of the hot slab disclosed in this document includes a separate condenser lens at the output end of the optical fiber so that the optical signal traveling at a long distance through the optical fiber spreads with a divergence angle There is an effect of preventing loss. The coupling device is designed so that the optical fiber can be moved. By controlling the distance between the optical fiber and the condenser lens according to the divergence angle of the optical signal emitted from the optical fiber by operating the coupling device, The loss of the optical signal is minimized.

1 is a schematic view illustrating a system for measuring the degree of cleanliness of a hot slab according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic view showing a spectroscopic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic view illustrating a connection device for connecting an optical fiber and a spectroscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a plasma optical signal passing through an optical fiber through a coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention is incident on a spectroscope.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring cleanliness of a hot slab of a cleanliness measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is capable of various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms including ordinal, such as second, first, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second component may be referred to as a first component, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as a second component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

In addition, the suffix "module" and " part "for constituent elements used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, the term "includes" Or "having" are intended to designate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Elements, parts, or combinations thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and are to be construed as ideal or overly formal in meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application Do not.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a schematic view illustrating a system for measuring the degree of cleanliness of a hot slab according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, a system for measuring the degree of cleanliness of a hot slab according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a laser generator 10, a light receiving device 20, an optical fiber 30, a spectrometer (not shown) 40, an arithmetic unit 50, and the like.

The laser generating apparatus 10 is a device for generating a laser and irradiating the laser to the hot slab 1.

The laser generator 10 may include a laser generator 11, a condenser lens 12, and the like.

The laser generator 11 converts an electric signal into an optical signal and outputs the converted signal.

The condensing lens 12 performs a function of condensing the laser so that the laser output from the laser generator 11 is concentrated in a specific region of the hot slab 1. [ For example, the condenser lens 12 functions to condense the laser beam in an area having a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm in the cross section of the hot slab 1.

When the laser irradiated from the laser generator 10 is irradiated on the end face of the hot slab 1 that has undergone the casting process, a plasma optical signal instantaneously occurs in the hot slab 1.

The light receiving device 20 receives a plasma optical signal generated in the hot slab 1 by irradiation of a laser and transmits the received plasma optical signal to the optical fiber 30. To this end, the light receiving device 20 comprises at least one light receiving lens 21 located on the path of the plasma optical signal generated in the hot slab 1.

The optical fiber 30 transmits a plasma optical signal received through the light receiving device 20 to the spectroscope 40.

The spectroscopic apparatus 40 receives the plasma optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 30, and performs spectroscopy on the basis of wavelengths.

When the laser is irradiated by the hot slab 1, the inclusions and precipitates in the hot slab 1 generate plasma light signals of different wavelengths. For example, the aluminum element in the hot slab 1 can generate a plasma optical signal having a wavelength of approximately 425 nm.

Accordingly, the spectroscopic apparatus 40 spectroscopies the inputted plasma optical signal by each wavelength. Further, the spectroscopic optical signal of each wavelength is converted into an electrical signal, and spectrum information of the plasma optical signal is obtained therefrom. Here, the spectral information may include intensity information of an optical signal for each wavelength.

The computing device 50 analyzes the amount of inclusions and the amount of the shrinkage material corresponding to each wavelength on the basis of the intensity of the plasma optical signal for each wavelength obtained through the spectroscope 40, Determine the cleanliness of the interior.

The computing device 50 can calculate the number of each element based on the intensity of the spectroscopic plasma optical signal for each wavelength, and calculate the amount of inclusions made up of each element based on the number.

For this purpose, the computing device 50 can use a relational expression between the intensity of the plasma optical signal for each wavelength shown in the following Equation 1 and the number of electrons of each element.

Where I is the intensity of the plasma optical signal for each wavelength, S is the sensitivity constant of the element, E is the excited energy of the electrons, k is the Planck's constant, T is the absolute temperature and n is the number of electrons.

Referring to Equation (1), when the calculation device 50 calculates the intensity of the plasma optical signal for each wavelength, the number n of electrons can be calculated therefrom. When the number of electrons is calculated, the computing device 50 can calculate the number of each element by dividing it by the number of atoms of each element. Further, the amount of inclusions and precipitates made up of each element can be calculated based on the number of the calculated elements.

On the other hand, the cleanliness measurement system can database the types and amounts of inclusions and precipitates depending on each position of the hot slab 1 by measuring the inclusions and the amount of precipitates while changing the laser irradiation position.

2 is a schematic view showing a spectroscopic device 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, a spectroscope 40 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an incident slit 41, a grating 42, an image sensor module 43, an analog to digital converter (ADC) AD converter) 44, a signal processing unit 45, and the like.

The incident slit 41 receives the plasma optical signal from the optical fiber 30.

The grating 42 functions to spectrally split the plasma optical signal passing through the incident slit 41 by each wavelength.

The image sensor module 43 converts the spectroscopic optical signals of the respective wavelengths into electrical signals and outputs the electrical signals. The image sensor module 43 may include a photomultiplier tube (PMT), a charge-coupled device (CCD), or the like.

The AD converter 44 converts the converted analog electric signal through the image sensor module 43 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

The signal processing unit 45 acquires spectral information of the plasma optical signal based on the digital signal output through the AD converter 44.

On the other hand, in order to measure the cleanliness of the hot slab 1 immediately after the performance process on-line, the plasma optical signal generated in the hot slab 1 is transmitted to the spectroscopic device 40 over a long distance using the optical fiber 30 .

In this case, unlike the case where the light source is located close to the incident slit 41 of the spectroscopic device 40, the optical signal is spread and incident with a divergent angle, whereby the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 30 is incident on the incident slit 41 41) can not be accurately formed.

Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, a coupling device for connecting the optical fiber 30 and the spectroscopic device 40 so that the optical signal passing through the optical fiber 30 can be accurately formed on the incident slit 41 of the spectroscopic device 40 Reference numeral 100 in Fig. 3).

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a coupling device for connecting an optical fiber and a spectroscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a plasma optical signal passing through an optical fiber is incident on a spectroscope .

3 and 4, the connection device 100 may include a housing 110, a first lens 120 and a second lens 130 housed in the housing 110, and the like.

The housing 110 includes a through hole corresponding to an optical path through which the plasma optical signal transmitted from the optical fiber 30 passes. Also, the first lens 120 and the second lens 130 can be accommodated on the through hole.

3, the housing 110 includes a receiving portion 111 for receiving the first lens 120 and a receiving portion 112 for receiving the second lens 130, And then integrally joined.

The optical fiber 30 may be coupled to one end of the through hole formed in the housing 110 and the spectroscope 40 may be coupled to the other end. The plasma optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 30 is transmitted to the entrance slit 41 of the spectroscope 40 through the first lens 120 and the second lens 130 provided in the housing 110 .

The first lens 120 is transmitted through the optical fiber 30, diffuses with a divergent angle, and performs a function of condensing the incident plasma optical signal to be incident on the second lens 130. That is, the first lens 120 refracts a plasma optical signal emitted from the optical fiber 30 so that as many optical signals as possible are incident on the second lens 130.

The second lens 130 functions to condense a plasma optical signal incident through the first lens 120 and to enter the incidence slit 41 of the spectroscope 40. That is, the second lens 130 performs a function of refracting the plasma optical signal so that the plasma optical signal incident on the second lens 130 is formed on the incident slit 41 as much as possible.

The connecting device 100 transmits a plasma optical signal having passed through the optical fiber 30 as much as possible to the incident slit 41 of the spectroscopic device 40 through the first lens 120 and the second lens 130 The first lens 120 and the output end of the optical fiber 30 may be adjusted to adjust the distance between the output end of the optical fiber 30 and the first lens 120. [

Here, the distance between the optical fiber 30 and the first lens 120 varies according to the divergence angle of the plasma optical signal, and the divergence angle of the plasma optical signal may vary according to the movement distance of the plasma optical signal.

The regulator 140 can be coupled with the housing 110 in a variety of ways.

The control device 140 controls the distance between the output end of the optical fiber 30 and the first lens 120 by moving the position of the optical fiber 30 by transmitting the manipulation input to the optical fiber 30 do.

The adjustment device 140 may transmit operation inputs to the optical fiber 30 in various manners.

For example, the regulating device 140 may be provided in a rack pinion configuration. 3, the optical fiber 30 is coupled to the through hole formed on the rack 141, and the rack 141 is linearly moved by the rotation of the pinion 142, whereby the optical fiber 30 Can be moved.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring cleanliness of a hot slab of a cleanliness measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in order to measure the cleanliness of the hot slab on-line, it is necessary to install a cleanliness measurement system so that the cleanliness of the hot slab immediately after the performance process can be measured. The connection device 100 connecting the spectroscopic device 40 and the optical fiber 30 is operated in accordance with the divergence angle of the plasma optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 30, The position of the optical fiber 30 is adjusted so that a maximum number of plasma optical signals are incident on the slit 41, thereby providing an optimal measurement environment.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the hot slab immediately after the completion of the performance process after the system is installed is moved to the measurement position, the system controls the laser generator 10 to irradiate the laser on the cross section of the hot slab (S101). As a result, a plasma optical signal is generated in the cross section of the hot slab irradiated with the laser.

When a plasma optical signal is generated on the cross section of the hot slab, the system converges the light through the light receiving device 20 (S102).

In addition, the optical fiber 30 receives the plasma optical signal received through the light receiving device 20 and transmits the same to the spectroscope 40 (S103).

The spectroscopic apparatus 40 receives the spectroscopic signals of the respective wavelengths (S104), and acquires the intensity information of the spectroscopic optical signals for each wavelength (S105).

The arithmetic unit 50 obtains the intensity information of each wavelength of the plasma optical signal through the spectroscope 40, and acquires the inclusions and precipitates in the hot slab based on the obtained intensity information.

Then, the degree of cleanliness in the hot slab is determined based on the amount of inclusions and precipitates in the obtained hot slab (S107).

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, by including a separate condensing lens at the output end of the optical fiber, there is an effect of preventing the optical signal, which has traveled over a long distance through the optical fiber, from spreading with a divergence angle and being lost. The coupling device is designed so that the optical fiber can be moved. By controlling the distance between the optical fiber and the condenser lens according to the divergence angle of the optical signal emitted from the optical fiber by operating the coupling device, The loss of the optical signal is minimized.

As used in this embodiment, the term " portion " refers to a hardware component such as software or an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or ASIC, and 'part' performs certain roles. However, 'part' is not meant to be limited to software or hardware. &Quot; to " may be configured to reside on an addressable recording medium and may be configured to play back one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, 'parts' may refer to components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, and processes, functions, , Subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided in the components and components may be further combined with a smaller number of components and components or further components and components. In addition, the components and components may be implemented to play back one or more CPUs in a device or a secure multimedia card.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims It can be understood that

Claims (8)

A connection device for connecting an optical fiber and a spectroscope,
A first lens for refracting and condensing an optical signal emitted through the optical fiber,
A second lens for refracting an optical signal transmitted through the first lens and for irradiating an incident slit of the spectroscope,
A housing having a first end coupled to the optical fiber and a second end coupled to the spectroscope, the housing including a through hole for receiving the first and second lenses,
And an adjusting device for adjusting a distance between an output end of the optical fiber and the first lens by transmitting an operation input to the optical fiber and moving the position of the optical fiber,
The housing includes:
Wherein the accommodating portion for accommodating the first lens and the accommodating portion for accommodating the second lens are provided separately and then integrally combined. The method according to claim 1,
And the optical fiber is fitted into the through hole so as to be movable. delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a position of the optical fiber on the through hole is adjusted according to a divergence angle of an optical signal emitted from the optical fiber. The method according to claim 1,
The adjusting device comprises:
A rotating pinion, and
And a rack coupled to an output end of the optical fiber and moving the position of the optical fiber on the through hole by rectilinear motion corresponding to the rotational movement of the pinion. In a cleanliness measurement system of a hot slab,
A laser generator for irradiating a laser beam to generate a plasma optical signal on the hot slab,
An optical fiber for receiving and transmitting the plasma optical signal,
A spectroscope for spectroscopically analyzing the plasma optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber by each wavelength to acquire intensity information for each wavelength of the plasma optical signal,
A connecting device for connecting the optical fiber and the spectroscope,
And an arithmetic unit for measuring an amount of inclusions and precipitates of the hot slab based on the intensity information for each wavelength,
The connecting device comprises:
A first lens for refracting and condensing an optical signal emitted through the optical fiber,
A second lens for refracting an optical signal transmitted through the first lens and irradiating the optical signal to an incident slit of the spectroscope,
A housing having a first end coupled to the optical fiber and a second end coupled to the spectroscope, and a through hole for receiving the first and second lenses,
And an adjusting device for adjusting a distance between an output end of the optical fiber and the first lens by transmitting an operation input to the optical fiber and moving the position of the optical fiber,
The housing includes:
Wherein the housing for receiving the first lens and the housing for housing the second lens are separately provided and then integrally combined.
The method according to claim 6,
And the optical fiber is fitted into the through hole so as to be movable. The method according to claim 6,
The adjusting device comprises:
A rotating pinion, and
A rack coupled to an output end of the optical fiber and moving a position of the optical fiber on the through hole by linear motion corresponding to a rotational motion of the pinion.

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