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An apparatus and method for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes one or more sensors for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to mechanical and acoustic

An apparatus and method for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes one or more sensors for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to mechanical and acoustic vibrations detected by the sensor. A signal processor receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal to a reference calibration signal and outputs a comparison signal. A logic unit receives the comparison signal and outputs a status signal indicative of the condition of the flow of the liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel which can be used to stop the flow of metal. The calibration signal can be static or may be dynamically updated.

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An apparatus and method for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes one or more sensors for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to mechanical and acoustic

An apparatus and method for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes one or more sensors for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to mechanical and acoustic vibrations detected by the sensor. A signal processor receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal to a reference calibration signal and outputs a comparison signal. A logic unit receives the comparison signal and outputs a status signal indicative of the condition of the flow of the liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel which can be used to stop the flow of metal. The calibration signal can be static or may be dynamically updated. ned to correspond to rivets of the body, a circular cap movably received in the first through hole and having a slit defined to correspond to the keyhole of the core; a second steel plate securely attached to the first steel plate and having a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole and bores corresponding to the holes of the first steel plate; a protection cap securely attached to a bottom of the second steel plate and a distal edge of the protection cap adapted to securely connect to an outer face of the body, the protection cap having an opening defined to correspond to the second through hole, whereby a structure of the lock is reinforced by the first, second steel plates and the protection cap. 2. The lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circular cap has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first through hole so that the circular cap is able to be movably received in the first through hole. 3. The lock as claimed in claim 2, wherein the diameter of the circular cap is larger than a diameter of the second through hole so that the circular disk is kept between the first and second steel plates. 4. The lock as claimed in claim 3, wherein a secondary protection cap is adapted to be securely mounted on top of the body and having a secondary opening adapted to correspond to the latch of the body. 5. The lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein a rubber enclosure is adapted to be detachably mounted on the outer face of the body so as to enhance the appearance of the lock. mprising lanthanide rare earth elements, and where B is an element comprising nickel, cobalt, copper, and platinum. 13. The device according to claim 8 or 10, wherein said tunnel current measuring device further comprises: (a) a beam; (b) said film of said metal hydride hydrogen-absorbent material with a tip disposed thereupon and facing said beam; and (c) a measuring circuit. 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said beam is made of a material comprising nickel. 15. The sensor according to claim 13, wherein said measuring circuit further comprises a resistor, a device for measuring said tunnel current and a comparitor unit. 16. The sensor according to claim 13, wherein said tip is made of a material comprising gold. 17. The device according to claim 14, wherein said nickel of which said beam is made is applied on top of a plating base layer, said plating base layer being fabricated of a material comprising gold. 18. The device according to claim 1, wherein said metal hydride hydrogen-absorbent material has a formula AB5,where A is an element comprising calcium, lanthanum, or an element selected from a group comprising lanthanide rare earth elements, and where B is an element comprising nickel, cobalt, copper, and platinum. 19. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first electrode is made of a material comprising gold. 20. A method for detecting the presence, and for measuring, of the amount of hydrogen, using a sensor, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of a metal hydride hydrogen-absorbent material, said material having a capability to expand upon absorption of said hydrogen; (b) providing a first electrode; (c) providing a dielectric material disposed between said body of said metal hydride material and said electrode wherein said dielectric material comprises a compressible material; (d) exposing said sensor to an environment which contains or may contain hydrogen; and (e) detecting the presence, and measuring, of the amount of hydrogen contained in said environment using a measuring device capable to measure and register an expansion of said hydrogen-absorbent material upon absorption of said hydrogen. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said metal hydride hydrogen-absorbent material has a formula AB5,where A is an element comprising calcium, lanthanum, or an element selected from a group comprising lanthanide rare earth elements, and where B is an element comprising nickel, cobalt, copper, and platinum. 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said first electrode is made of a material comprising gold. 23. The method according claim 20, wherein said compressible material and is a solid piezoelectric material. 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said compressible material further comprises air, a polymeric dielectric material, a polyester, and a polyimide. 25. The method according to claim 23, wherein said solid piezoelectric material further comprises quartz and lead zirconia titanate. 26. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring device comprises a capacitance measuring device and a tunnel current measuring device. 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said capacitance measuring device detects presence of said hydrogen and measures an amount of said hydrogen by measuring a change in capacitance of said sensor after said sensor has been exposed to said hydrogen. 28. The method according to claim 26, wherein said tunnel current measuring device detects presence of said hydrogen and measures an amount of said hydrogen by measuring a change in a tunnel current flowing through said sensor after said sensor has been exposed to said hydrogen. 29. The method according to claim 26, wherein said capacitance measuring device further comprises a capacitive bridge circuit. 30. The method according to claim 26, wherein said tunnel current measuring device further comprises: (a) a beam; (b) said body of sai d metal hydride hydrogen-absorbent material with a tip disposed thereupon; and (c) a measuring circuit. 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein said beam is made of a material comprising nickel. 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein said metal hydride hydrogen-absorbent material has a formula AB5,where A is an element comprising calcium, lanthanum, or an element selected from a group comprising lanthanide rare earth elements, and where B is an element comprising nickel, cobalt, copper, and platinum. 33. The method according to claim 31, wherein said nickel of which said beam is made is applied on top of a plating base layer, said plating base layer being fabricated of a material comprising gold. 34. The method according to claim 30, wherein said tip is made of a material comprising gold. 35. The method according to claim 30, wherein said measuring circuit further comprises a resistor, a device for measuring said tunnel current and a comparitor unit. 36. The method according to claim 20, wherein said sensor further includes a second electrode disposed on said body of said metal hydride hydrogen-absorbent material confronting said first electrode, said first electrode and said second electrode defining a space therebetween. 37. The method according claim 36, wherein said second electrode is made of a material comprising gold.