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US 6,711,940 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for measuring the elasticity of fluids
OwnerDavid James, Thayananthan Yogachandraninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An indication of the elasticity of a non-Newtonian fluid is obtained by extending a fluid bridge between a pair of relatively movable surfaces that hold a fluid sample therebetween, and continuing a timewise progression of separation between two opposed moveable surfaces in a controlled manner until the displacing extension is great enough to cause a break point in the fluid sample. The extension of a fluid bridge at the break point is determined and used as an indication of elasticity.
Claims12
A method for determining the elasticity of a fluid comprising the steps of:
- a) locating a sample of said fluid to form a fluid bridge between a pair of relatively moveable surfaces,
- b) extending said fluid bridge in a controlled manner,
- c) continuing extension of said fluid bridge to determine an extension of said fluid bridge at a break point thereof,
- d) utilizing said extension at the break point as an indicator of the elasticity of the fluid.
1 more element
An apparatus for measuring the elasticity of a fluid, comprising:
- a) a pair of opposed surfaces spaced apart for holding a sample of said fluid therebetween and thereby form a fluid bridge of said fluid;
- b) an actuator coupled to at least one of said pair of surfaces to provide a relative displacement between said surfaces to extend said fluid bridge in a controlled manner;
- c) a measuring system for determining the displacement of said surfaces at a position corresponding to a point at which said fluid bridge breaks and
- d) an indicator to indicate said displacement and thereby provide an indication of the elasticity of said sample.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.