Decreasing pressure differential viscometer
OwnerKenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauerinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for obtaining the viscosity of a fluid using a continuously decreasing pressure differential that subjects the fluid to a plurality of shear rates and allows data related to that movement to be easily collected and combined with the dimensions of a flow restrictor, through which the fluid passes, to calculate the fluid viscosity.
Claims15
An apparatus for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates using a continuously decreasing pressure differential, said apparatus comprising:
- a lumen for supporting a column of fluid therein and wherein said column of fluid has a start point defined above a horizontal reference position, said lumen comprising:
- a first end and a second end;
- a flow restrictor for restricting the movement of said column of fluid and located between said first and second ends, said flow restrictor comprising some known dimensions;
- and
- wherein, after said start point has been defined, said first and second ends are exposed to atmospheric pressure to subject said column of fluid to a continuously decreasing pressure differential that causes said column of fluid to move away from said start point towards said second end through a plurality of shear rates;
- a sensor for monitoring the movement of said column of fluid in said lumen for generating data related to the movement;
- and
- a processor for using said data and said some known dimensions to calculate the viscosity of the fluid.
A method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates using a continuously decreasing pressure differential, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a column of the fluid in a substantially upright lumen having a first end and a second end;
- establishing a start point of said column of fluid above a horizontal reference position;
- exposing said first end and said second end to atmospheric pressure to subject said column of fluid to a continuously decreasing pressure differential that causes said column of fluid to move away from said start point towards said second end through a plurality of shear rates;
- restricting the movement of said column of fluid by passing at least a portion of said column of fluid through a flow restrictor having some known dimensions;
- monitoring the movement of said column of fluid through said plurality of shear rates to generate data related to said movement;
- and
- calculating the viscosity of the fluid using said data and said some known dimensions.
A method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates using a continuously decreasing pressure differential, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a column of the fluid in a substantially upright lumen having a first end and a second end, said lumen having some known dimensions;
- establishing a start point of said column of fluid above a horizontal reference position;
- exposing said first end and said second end to atmospheric pressure to subject said column of fluid to a continuously decreasing pressure differential that causes said column of fluid to move away from said start point towards said second end through a plurality of shear rates, said substantially upright lumen restricting the movement of said column of fluid as it moves;
- monitoring the movement of said column of fluid through said plurality of shear rates to generate data related to said movement;
- and
- calculating the viscosity of the fluid using said data and said some known dimensions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.