EP0732866A1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufheizen einer elektrisch leitfähige Flüssigkeit - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufheizen einer elektrisch leitfähige Flüssigkeit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0732866A1
EP0732866A1 EP96400520A EP96400520A EP0732866A1 EP 0732866 A1 EP0732866 A1 EP 0732866A1 EP 96400520 A EP96400520 A EP 96400520A EP 96400520 A EP96400520 A EP 96400520A EP 0732866 A1 EP0732866 A1 EP 0732866A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
solenoid
liquid
heating
tank
cylinder head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96400520A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0732866B1 (de
Inventor
Jacques Nuns
Philippe Fache
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electricite de France SA
Original Assignee
Electricite de France SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR9503054A external-priority patent/FR2731867B1/fr
Application filed by Electricite de France SA filed Critical Electricite de France SA
Publication of EP0732866A1 publication Critical patent/EP0732866A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0732866B1 publication Critical patent/EP0732866B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02Induction heating
    • H05B6/10Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications
    • H05B6/105Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications using a susceptor
    • H05B6/108Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications using a susceptor for heating a fluid
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02Induction heating
    • H05B6/36Coil arrangements
    • H05B6/365Coil arrangements using supplementary conductive or ferromagnetic pieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and an instrument for heating an electrically conductive liquid.
  • Induction ovens are used to heat metals, but in the case of a much less conductive electrolyte, the supply frequencies would be too high.
  • the liquid is contained in a metal container, it is essentially the container which would be heated by induction, and this heat would then be communicated to the liquid. This could cause damage to the anticorrosive coating of the container.
  • the invention also applies to Joule heating of metals or non-ferrous metal alloys (aluminum, copper, zinc, bronze, etc.).
  • a magnetic circuit is provided, generally made of magnetic sheets, extending partly inside the crucible containing the molten metal and partly outside.
  • An inductor winding is wound around the magnetic circuit in the outside of the crucible. This winding forms the primary of a transformer, the secondary of which consists of a stream of liquid metal around the magnetic circuit.
  • This type of oven causes significant energy losses, like traditional induction ovens, because the inductor is located outside the container containing the material to be heated.
  • the channel that is to say the zone inside the crucible situated between the magnetic circuit and the wall of the crucible, where the heating is most effective, tends to become blocked during the operation of the oven.
  • These channel ovens are limited in frequency. They are generally used at 50 Hz, but the circuits necessary to balance the three phases are then very bulky and they disturb the network.
  • the invention also relates to the heating of molten glasses which are often fairly good electrical conductors. It is known to heat glasses by induction in so-called "direct coil” ovens. In such an oven, a copper coil placed in the molten glass is fed at very high frequency (several hundred kHz) to generate the heat sink eddy currents. A serious drawback of these ovens is the risk of dielectric breakdown in the interval between the connection points of the coil, where the electric field is high. To mitigate this drawback, a so-called “cold cage” oven is sometimes used in which copper tubular sectors are placed axially inside the coil, cooling water circulating in these sectors. The circulation of the current in the coil induces other currents in the sectors, which generate the eddy currents in the molten glass. If these cold cage ovens limit the risks of dielectric breakdown, they have the disadvantage of having mediocre yields.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a method for heating an electrically conductive liquid by the Joule effect with good efficiency.
  • the invention thus proposes a method of heating an electrolytic liquid consisting in immersing in said liquid a heating instrument comprising an inductor circuit electrically isolated from the liquid, and in supplying the inductor circuit with alternating current.
  • the invention is applicable to a liquid having a significant electrical conductivity, that is to say to an electrolytic liquid but also to a molten metal or alloy or even to a molten glass.
  • a method according to the invention thus consists in placing the liquid in a tank in which there is also an inductor circuit comprising a solenoid electrically isolated from the liquid and a cylinder head made of soft magnetic material extending axially inside the solenoid, and to supply the solenoid with alternating current.
  • inductor circuit By an appropriate dimensioning of the inductor circuit and by an adjustment of the supply frequency, one can essentially confine in the liquid the magnetic field induced outside the heating instrument. This gives excellent energy yields (over 90%). There are also the advantages of induction heating: low thermal inertia; possibility of finely regulating power and temperature; possibility of transmitting strong powers.
  • the invention also provides a heating instrument making it possible to carry out the above method in the case of an electrolytic liquid.
  • the instrument according to the invention comprises a solenoid arranged coaxially in an electrically insulating cylindrical tube and closed at its lower end, terminals for connecting the solenoid to an AC power supply, and a cylinder head made of soft magnetic material extending axially to inside the solenoid.
  • This cylinder head may have, at its end adjacent to the lower end of the tube, a flange directed radially towards the outside of the solenoid, this in order to improve efficiency.
  • the cylinder head is arranged to concentrate the induced magnetic field in the liquid. It is then possible to use greater depths of skin effect while maintaining an excellent energy yield, which makes it possible to use a power supply with a frequency that is significantly lower, and therefore more economical.
  • the invention further provides an oven for heating an electrically conductive liquid, comprising a tank for receiving said liquid, a solenoid electrically isolated from the liquid, extending inside the tank, a cylinder head extending axially to inside the solenoid, and an AC power supply connected to the solenoid.
  • Figure 1 shows a cylindrical tank 10 containing an electrolytic liquid to be heated, typically between room temperature and a temperature of 100 to 150 ° C, or even higher.
  • An inductor winding constituted here by a solenoid 12
  • the solenoid 12 is part of a heating instrument further comprising the terminals for connection to the generator 14 and means electrical insulation between the liquid and the copper of the solenoid and the connection terminals.
  • These means of electrical insulation also provide chemical protection of the copper against the liquid to be heated.
  • They can be constituted by an insulating and anticorrosive coating applied to the turns of the solenoid or even by a double cylindrical casing surrounding the solenoid.
  • Such a box can also be arranged to allow the circulation of a cooling fluid for the turns of the solenoid 12.
  • the liquid to be heated is located both around and inside the solenoid 12.
  • the alternating current applied induces in the liquid a magnetic field of which flow lines 16 are shown. Due to the conductivity of the liquid, which is for example between 10 and 100 S / m, this magnetic field generates eddy currents which heat the liquid by the Joule effect.
  • the frequency of supply is chosen according to the diameter of the solenoid, the diameter of the tank and the electrical conductivity of the liquid, taking into account that the latter generally increases with temperature.
  • the frequency selected is inversely proportional to the conductivity of the liquid and to the square of the desired skin effect depth. If necessary, an optimal supply frequency can be sought by preliminary tests. If the tank 10 is metallic, the frequency is chosen so that the walls of the tank 10 are not heated directly, that is to say so that the magnetic field induced outside the solenoid 12 remains essentially confined in the liquid. In practice, the supply frequency will often be greater than 50 kHz.
  • FIG. 2 shows a heating instrument allowing the method to be implemented at lower supply frequencies.
  • this instrument comprises a cylinder head 24 and a container tube 26.
  • the tube 26 is made of electrically insulating anti-corrosion material. He has a cylindrical shape which surrounds the solenoid 22 and the yoke 24, with a closed lower end 28.
  • the yoke 24 is for example made of magnetic sheets arranged in a star for supply frequencies of the order of 5 kHz or, for higher frequencies (typically 20 kHz) from ferrite bars.
  • the cylinder head 24 may have a flange 32, 34 extending radially outwards, as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the cylinder head 24 has a structure capable of concentrating the power transmitted opposite the turns of the solenoid 22.
  • the flux lines bend at a significant angle in the lower edge 32.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the distribution of the magnetic field lines 36 in the example of a power of 237 kW, a frequency of 20 kHz and a conductivity of 37 S / m.
  • the bottom of the tank is not heated at all.
  • the upper rim 34 of the yoke limits the extension of the magnetic field above the surface of the liquid.
  • FIG. 4 shows an oven usable for heating a conductive liquid to higher temperatures.
  • the liquid in question can be a molten metal (or metallic alloy), or even a molten glass.
  • the oven comprises a tank 110 made of refractory material.
  • the refractory material of the wall of the tank is placed in a metal casing 111.
  • the tank is covered with a cover 113, provided with an opening 115 for the introduction of the material (liquid or solid not yet melted) to be heated .
  • a pouring spout 117 is provided at the upper part of the tank 110 for removing the heated liquid from the tank.
  • a solenoid 122 provided with an inner cylinder head 124 is placed inside the tank 110.
  • the solenoid is connected to an alternating current generator 114.
  • a path is formed around the solenoid 122 and of the cylinder head 124 to allow the passage of a cooling fluid, such as water, which circulates a pump 119.
  • the inductor constituted by the solenoid 122 and its cylinder head 124 is placed in a refractory sheath 126 integrated into the bottom of the tank 110.
  • the sheath 126 electrically and thermally insulates the solenoid 122 and its cylinder head 124 of the liquid.
  • the solenoid is placed vertically towards the middle of the tank, and is dimensioned so that the induced magnetic field is essentially confined in the liquid to be heated.
  • the electrical conductivity is very high (resistivities of the order of 10 to 20.10 -8 ⁇ .m).
  • the cylinder head 124 can then be produced from magnetic sheets, and the solenoid can be supplied at a frequency greater than 100 Hz, typically of 300 to 500 Hz.
  • the refractory materials of the tank 110 and of the sheath 126 are chosen from those usually used in metallurgy (adobe for example).
  • the conductivity is lower (up to 150 to 200 S / m) so that we have to increase the supply frequency for the same heating power .
  • a yoke 124 made from ferrite bars, and supply frequencies greater than 10 kHz, typically around 20 kHz.
  • the refractory materials of the tank 110 and of the sheath 126 can be ceramics such as those usually used in the glass industry.
  • the furnace shown in Figure 5 differs from that of Figure 4 in that the refractory sheath 226 containing the solenoid 222 and the cylinder head 224 is suspended from the cover 213 of the tank 210 instead of being fixed or integrated into the wall of the bottom of the tank. It will be understood that many other arrangements of the inductor inside the tank are possible.
  • FIG. 6 shows another example of an oven which can in particular be used for galvanizing sheets.
  • the solenoid 322, the cylinder head 324 and the refractory sheath 326 are placed near the bottom of the tank 310, with their axis parallel to this bottom.
  • the sleeve 326 for example crosses the width of the tank as shown. It may then be necessary to subdivide the solenoid 322 into several winding sections supplied separately.
  • the heated liquid being molten zinc, it is possible, thanks to a conventional arrangement of rollers, to slide a sheet in the space between the inductor and the bottom of the tank to apply a coating of zinc to it.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Induction Heating (AREA)
  • Furnace Details (AREA)
  • Resistance Heating (AREA)
EP96400520A 1995-03-16 1996-03-13 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufheizen einer elektrisch leitfähigen Flüssigkeit Expired - Lifetime EP0732866B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9503054 1995-03-16
FR9503054A FR2731867B1 (fr) 1995-03-16 1995-03-16 Procede et instrument de chauffage d'un liquide electrolytique
FR9600737A FR2731868B1 (fr) 1995-03-16 1996-01-23 Procede et equipements pour le chauffage d'un liquide electriquement conducteur
FR9600737 1996-01-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0732866A1 true EP0732866A1 (de) 1996-09-18
EP0732866B1 EP0732866B1 (de) 2002-02-20

Family

ID=26231820

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96400520A Expired - Lifetime EP0732866B1 (de) 1995-03-16 1996-03-13 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufheizen einer elektrisch leitfähigen Flüssigkeit

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0732866B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH08315971A (de)
AT (1) ATE213582T1 (de)
CA (1) CA2171788A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69619285T2 (de)
FR (1) FR2731868B1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2821647A1 (fr) * 2001-03-02 2002-09-06 Robert Lipp Turbine hydraulique immergee omnidirectionnelle a axe perpendiculaire au courant d'eau
WO2014202683A1 (de) * 2013-06-19 2014-12-24 Behr-Hella Thermocontrol Gmbh Heizvorrichtung

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1362622A (en) * 1920-04-26 1920-12-21 Gen Electric Electric heater
US3936625A (en) * 1974-03-25 1976-02-03 Pollutant Separation, Inc. Electromagnetic induction heating apparatus
FR2694994A1 (fr) * 1992-08-24 1994-02-25 Electricite De France Dispositif de chauffage électrique par induction d'un fluide.
JPH0729673A (ja) * 1993-07-13 1995-01-31 Fuji Electric Co Ltd 高周波電磁誘導加熱器

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1362622A (en) * 1920-04-26 1920-12-21 Gen Electric Electric heater
US3936625A (en) * 1974-03-25 1976-02-03 Pollutant Separation, Inc. Electromagnetic induction heating apparatus
FR2694994A1 (fr) * 1992-08-24 1994-02-25 Electricite De France Dispositif de chauffage électrique par induction d'un fluide.
JPH0729673A (ja) * 1993-07-13 1995-01-31 Fuji Electric Co Ltd 高周波電磁誘導加熱器

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 950, no. 001 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2821647A1 (fr) * 2001-03-02 2002-09-06 Robert Lipp Turbine hydraulique immergee omnidirectionnelle a axe perpendiculaire au courant d'eau
WO2014202683A1 (de) * 2013-06-19 2014-12-24 Behr-Hella Thermocontrol Gmbh Heizvorrichtung
CN105284185A (zh) * 2013-06-19 2016-01-27 贝洱海拉温控系统公司 加热装置
CN105284185B (zh) * 2013-06-19 2017-10-31 贝洱海拉温控系统公司 加热装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH08315971A (ja) 1996-11-29
FR2731868B1 (fr) 1997-06-06
EP0732866B1 (de) 2002-02-20
ATE213582T1 (de) 2002-03-15
DE69619285T2 (de) 2002-11-21
FR2731868A1 (fr) 1996-09-20
CA2171788A1 (fr) 1996-09-17
DE69619285D1 (de) 2002-03-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
FR2599482A1 (fr) Four de fusion a induction haute frequence
FR2531062A2 (fr) Dispositif de fusion par induction directe de substances dielectriques du genre verres ou emaux
EP0275228B1 (de) Verfahren und Anlage zum Schmelzen und Stranggiessen von Metallen
EP0258101B1 (de) Verfahren zum Schmelzen von Schrott und Elektroofen zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
FR2497050A1 (fr) Dispositif de fusion par induction directe en cage froide avec confinement electromagnetique de la charge fondue
EP0636848A1 (de) Schmelzverfahren von elektroleitenden Materialien in einem Induktionsschmelzofen mit kaltem Tiegel und Ofen dafür
FR2751738A1 (fr) Four de fusion par induction directe en creuset froid
EP0480845A1 (de) Induktionsschmelzofen mit kaltem Tiegel
EP0732866B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufheizen einer elektrisch leitfähigen Flüssigkeit
EP0491641A1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Stranggiessen von dünnen Metallbändern, insbesondere aus Stahl
RU2248442C1 (ru) Способ и устройство ликвидации и предотвращения образования отложений и пробок в нефтегазодобывающих скважинах
FR2658972A1 (fr) Dispositif de rechauffage de la colonne de production d'un puits et procede de mise en place des enroulements de rechauffage.
FR2731867A1 (fr) Procede et instrument de chauffage d'un liquide electrolytique
EP2027754B1 (de) Hochfrequenzinduktionsheizgerät und mit einer solchen vorrichtung ausgerüsteter induktionsherd
EP0082095B1 (de) Anlage zum Erwärmen und/oder Umrühren und/oder Überführen von Metallen in flüssigem Zustand
EP0037788B1 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Schmelzen oder Flüssighalten von Metallen mit Hilfe eines elektrischen Widerstandstaucheizelementes
WO2012127152A1 (fr) Creuset de four a induction
CN100484341C (zh) 一种集流感应加热器
BE671580A (de)
SU1680789A1 (ru) Устройство дл плавки и рафинировани металла
RU2119416C1 (ru) Способ электродуговой сварки плавящимся электродом и устройство для его осуществления
EP0438366A1 (de) Induktor für einen Induktionsofen mit einem flüssigkeitsgekühlten Rohr
KR20130061358A (ko) 비수냉 코일을 이용한 고주파 유도가열방법 및 이를 이용한 고주파 유도로
FR3045269A1 (fr) Bras conducteur en avier amagnetique renforce par un materiau a basse resistivite
CH327042A (fr) Procédé pour le chauffage électrique d'une matière métallique et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19960829

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010504

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020220

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20020220

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020220

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020220

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020220

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020220

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 213582

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20020315

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020313

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020313

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69619285

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20020328

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020331

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020520

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020520

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020520

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20020517

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020829

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20021121

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20120315

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20120320

Year of fee payment: 17

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20120329

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20120413

Year of fee payment: 17

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE

Effective date: 20130331

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130313

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20131129

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69619285

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20131001

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130402

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130313

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130331

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20131001