Mechanical loading level probe of a tank, and level measuring method of such a mechanical probe chargementutilisant

摘要

The invention relates to a mechanical sensor (2) of the level of fill of a cavity (10), for example, a blast furnace, which is mounted on a fixed flange (12) provided on a dome (1) of the cavity (10). The mechanical sensor (2) includes a weight (3) suspended at the end of a chain (31) passing through the dome (11) of the cavity (10), and a winch (4) which includes a drum arranged to wind and unwind the chain (31) on the drum in order to cause the weight (3) to descend and ascend; and a means (40, 40') for controlling the drum to control the rotation or the stopping of the drum depending on the position of the weight (3). The winch (1) further includes a means for determining the length of the wound or unwound chain (31). According to the invention, the mechanical sensor (1) includes a force meter (5, 5') for detecting a decrease in the tension of the chain (31) when the weight (3) rests on a surface (S) of material loaded in the cavity (10). The meter (5) is mounted between the control means (40, 40') and a stationary mounting (22) that is rigidly connected to a drum casing. The control means (40, 40') of the winch (4) is rotatably mounted on the stationary mounting (22) by connecting means along a pivot axis (A) and by a rocker bar (45, 45') arranged at a distance from the pivot axis, the rocker bar (45, 45') including the meter (5) and the meter (5) being arranged such as to continuously measure the axial force applied on the rocker bar. The invention further relates to a method for determining the position of the level of material filled in a cavity and the variation in said position.