# US 6,860,136 B1 · Method and apparatus for measuring physical properties of matter

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- Number: US 6,860,136 B1
- Document ID: US6860136B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 10/364,770
- Filed: 2003-02-11
- Granted: 2005-03-01
- Earliest claimed: 2000-09-19
- Assignees: Fast Forward Devices, LLC
- Inventors: John C. Hay, Jr.; Barry N. Lucas
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6860136B1

## CPC

- G01N 9/08: by measuring buoyant force of solid materials by weighing both in air and in a liquid
- G01G 5/00: Weighing apparatus wherein the balancing is effected by fluid action
- G01G 19/00: Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups {(electric measuring arrangements involving comparison with a reference value G01R17/00)}
- G01N 9/20: by balancing the weight of the bodies
- G01N 2203/0044: Pneumatic means
- G01N 2203/0085: Compressibility
- G01N 2203/0256: Triaxial, i.e. the forces being applied along three normal axes of the specimen
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16)

## Abstract

The invention determines density of a sample while the sample is immersed in a gaseous medium having variable density. The apparatus includes a chamber for containing the gaseous medium and the sample, means for selectively varying the density of the gaseous medium over a range of densities, and means for producing electrical signals related to the density of the gaseous medium. In the chamber is a balance beam having a sample pan at a first end and a coil assembly at an opposing second end. Also at the second end of the beam is a first counter-weight having a volume and mass which is substantially equivalent to the volume and mass of sample pan, and which creates a moment that is substantially equivalent to the moment created by the sample pan. At the first end of the beam is a second counter-weight having a volume and mass which is substantially equivalent to the volume and mass of the coil assembly, and which creates a moment which is substantially equivalent to the moment created by the coil assembly. A magnet assembly is disposed adjacent to and magnetically interacts with the coil assembly. A controller provides a coil current to the coil assembly, thereby generating a magnetic field which interacts with the magnet assembly. According to the invention, the interaction between the magnetic field of the coil assembly and the magnet assembly applies a force to the second end of the beam to keep the beam balanced as the density of the gaseous medium in the chamber is varied over the range of densities. A computing device receives the electrical signals related to the density of the gaseous medium and the electrical signal related to the coil current, and calculates the density of the sample based thereon.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for determining density of an object, comprising:
(a) completely immersing the object in a gaseous medium;
(b) causing the gaseous medium to have a first density;
(c) determining the first density of the gaseous medium;
(d) exposing the object to an acceleration in a first direction while immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density;
(e) determining a first applied force in a second direction opposite the first direction, where the first applied force is sufficient to maintain the object in static equilibrium while the acceleration is applied and the object is immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density,
(f) causing the gaseous medium to have a second density which differs from the first density;
(g) determining the second density of the gaseous medium;
(h) exposing the object to the acceleration in the first direction while immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density;
(i) determining a second applied force in the second direction which is sufficient to maintain the object in static equilibrium while exposed to the acceleration and immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density;
(j) completely immersing a calibration standard of known density in the gaseous medium having the first density;
(k) exposing the calibration standard to the acceleration in a first direction while immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density;
(l) determining a third applied force in the second direction, where the third applied force is sufficient to maintain the calibration standard in static equilibrium while the acceleration is applied and the calibration standard is immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density;
(m) exposing the calibration standard to the acceleration in the first direction while immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density;
(n) determining a fourth applied force in the second direction which is sufficient to maintain the calibration standard in static equilibrium while exposed to the acceleration and immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density;
(o) calculating a calibration ratio based on the third and fourth applied forces, the first and second densities of the gaseous medium, and the known density of the calibration standard; and
(p) determining the density of the object based on the first and second densities of the gaseous medium, the first and second applied forces, and the calibration ratio.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein step (o) further comprises calculating the calibration ratio according to:
C
1
/
C
2
=
V
a4
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
1
)
V
a3
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
2
)
,
where C1/C2 is the calibration ratio, ρc is the density of the calibration standard, ρ1 is the first density of the gaseous medium, ρ2 is the second density of the gaseous medium, Va3 is a voltage related to the third applied force, and Va4 is a voltage related to the fourth applied force.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

(currently amended) The method of claim 2 wherein step (p) further comprises determining the density of the object according to:
ρ
0
=
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
⁢
⁢
ρ
2
-
V
a2
⁢
⁢
ρ
1
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
-
V
a2
,
where ρ0 is the density of the object, Va1 is a voltage related to the first applied force, and Va2 is a voltage related to the second applied force.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising:
step (b) including causing the gaseous medium to have the first density by pressurizing the gaseous medium to a first pressure;
step (f) including causing the gaseous medium to have the second density by pressurizing the gaseous medium to a second pressure that is different from the first pressure;
(g) determining a first temperature of the gaseous medium while the gaseous medium is pressurized to the first pressure;
(r) determining a second temperature of the gaseous medium while the gaseous medium is pressurized to the second pressure;
step (c) including determining the first density of the gaseous medium based on the first pressure and the first temperature; and
step (g) including determining the second density of the gaseous medium based on the second pressure and the second temperature.

### Claim 5

A method for operating a densiometer to determine a density of a sample, the densiometer comprising a beam balance enclosed within a pressure chamber, the beam balance including a sample pan attachable to a first end of the beam balance and a counter-force application device disposed at an opposing second end of the balance, the densiometer further comprising a calibration standard of known density, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor, the method comprising:
(a) sealing the sample within the pressure chamber;
(b) purging the pressure chamber of air;
(c) pressurizing the chamber to a first pressure using a gaseous medium;
(d) determining a first null force applied by the counter-force application device required to balance the beam balance with no sample or calibration standard on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(e) placing the sample on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure:
(f) determining a first force applied by the counter-force application device required to balance the beam balance with the sample on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(g) removing the sample from the sample pan;
(h) placing the calibration standard on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(i) determining a third force applied by the counter-force application device required to balance the beam balance with the calibration standard on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure; (j) removing the calibration standard from the sample pan;
(k) measuring a first temperature within the pressure chamber using the temperature sensor with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(l) measuring the pressure within the pressure chamber using the pressure sensor with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(m) calculating a first density of the gaseous medium based upon a predetermined relationship between density, pressure, and temperature of the gaseous medium;
(n) pressurizing the chamber to a second pressure, which is different from the first pressure, using the gaseous medium;
(o) determining a second null force applied by the counter-force application device required to balance the beam balance with no sample or calibration standard on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(p) placing the sample on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(q) determining a second force applied by the counter-force application device required to balance the beam balance with the sample on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(r) removing the sample from the sample pan;
(s) placing the calibration standard on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(t) determining a fourth force applied by the counter-force application device required to balance the beam balance with the calibration standard on the sample pan with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(u) measuring a second temperature within the pressure chamber using the temperature sensor with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(v) measuring the pressure within the pressure chamber using the pressure sensor with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(w) calculating a second density of the gaseous medium based upon the predetermined relationship between density, pressure, and temperature of the gaseous medium;
(x) calculating a calibration ratio based on the third and fourth forces, the first and second densities of the gaseous medium, and the known density of the calibration standard; and
(y) determining the density of the object based on the first and second densities of the gaseous medium, the first and second forces, and the calibration ratio.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein step (x) further comprises calculating the calibration ratio according to:
C
1
/
C
2
=
V
a4
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
1
)
V
a3
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
2
)
,
where C1/C2 is the calibration ratio, ρc is the known density of the calibration standard, ρ1 is the first density of the gaseous medium, ρ2 is the second density of the gaseous medium, Va3 is a voltage related to the third force, and Va4 is a voltage related to the fourth force.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein step (y) further comprises determining the density of the sample according to:
ρ
0
=
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
⁢
⁢
ρ
2
-
V
a2
⁢
⁢
ρ
1
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
-
V
a2
,
where ρ0 is the density of the sample, Va1 is a voltage related to the fist force, and Va2 is a voltage related to the second force.

### Claim 8

A method for determining density of an object exposed to an acceleration in a first direction, comprising:
(a) completely immersing the object in a gaseous medium having a first density;
(b) determining a first applied force in a second direction opposite the first direction, where the first applied force is sufficient to maintain the object in static equilibrium while the object is immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density;
(c) completely immersing the object in a gaseous medium having a second density that differs from the first density;
(d) determining a second applied force in the second direction which is sufficient to maintain the object in static equilibrium while immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density;
(e) completely immersing a calibration standard of known density in a gaseous medium having the first density;
(f) determining a third applied force in the second direction, where the third applied force is sufficient to maintain the calibration standard in static equilibrium while the calibration standard is immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density and exposed to the acceleration in the first direction;
(g) completely immersing the calibration standard in a gaseous medium having the second density;
(h) determining a fourth applied force in the second direction which is sufficient to maintain the calibration standard in static equilibrium while immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density and exposed to the acceleration in the first direction;
(i) calculating a calibration ratio based at least in part on the third and fourth applied forces, the first and second densities, and the known density of the calibration standard; and
(l) determining the density of the object based at least in part on the first and second densities, the first and second applied forces, and the calibration ratio.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 wherein:
step (a) comprises completely immersing the object in a first type of gaseous medium;
step (c) comprises completely immersing the object in a second type of gaseous medium that is different from the first type of gaseous medium;
step (e) comprises completely immersing the calibration standard in the first type of gaseous medium; and
step (g) comprises completely immersing the calibration standard in the second type of gaseous medium.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 wherein step (i) further comprises calculating the calibration ratio according to:
C
1
/
C
2
=
V
a4
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
1
)
V
a3
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
2
)
,
where C1/C2 is the calibration ratio, ρc is the density of the calibration standard, ρ1 is the first density, 2 is the second density, Va3 is a voltage related to the third applied force, and Va4 is a voltage related to the fourth applied force.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein step (j) further comprises determining the density of the object according to:
ρ
0
=
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
⁢
⁢
ρ
2
-
V
a2
⁢
⁢
ρ
1
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
-
V
a2
,
where ρ0 is the density of the object, Va1 is a voltage related to the first applied force, and Va2 is a voltage related to the second applied force.

### Claim 12

A method for operating a densiometer to determine a density of a sample immersed in a gaseous medium, the densiometer comprising a beam balance enclosed within a pressure chamber, a sample holding means disposed at a first end of the beam balance, a counter-force application means disposed at an opposing second end of the beam balance, and a calibration standard of known density, the method comprising:
(a) sealing the sample within the pressure chamber,
(b) pressurizing the chamber to a first pressure;
(c) placing the sample in the sample holding means with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(d) determining a first force applied by the counter-force application means required to balance the beam balance with the sample in the sample holding means and the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(e) removing the sample from the sample holding means;
(f) placing the calibration standard in the sample holding means with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(g) determining a third force applied by the counter-force application means required to balance the beam balance with the calibration standard on the sample holding means and the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(h) removing the calibration standard from the sample holding means;
(i) determining a first temperature within the pressure chamber with the pressure chamber pressurized to the first pressure;
(j) pressurizing the chamber to a second pressure that is different from the first pressure;
(k) placing the sample in the sample holding means with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(l) determining a second force applied by the counter-force application means required to balance the beam balance with the sample in the sample holding means and the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(m) removing the sample from the sample holding means;
(n) placing the calibration standard in the sample holding means with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(o) determining a fourth force applied by the counter-force application means required to balance the beam balance with the calibration standard in the sample holding means and the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure;
(p) determining a second temperature within the pressure chamber with the pressure chamber pressurized to the second pressure; and
(q) determining the density of the object based at least in part on the first and second pressures, the first and second temperatures, the first, second, third and fourth forces, and the known density of the calibration standard.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein step (q) further comprises calculating a calibration ratio according to:
C
1
/
C
2
=
V
a4
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
1
)
V
a3
⁢
⁢
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
2
)
,
where C1/C2 is the calibration ratio, ρc is the known density of the calibration standard, ρ1 is the first density, ρ2 is the second density, Va3 is a voltage related to the third force, and Va4 is a voltage related to the fourth force.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 wherein step (q) further comprises determining the density of the sample according to:
ρ
0
=
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
⁢
⁢
ρ
2
-
V
a2
⁢
⁢
ρ
1
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
-
V
a2
,
where ρ0 is the density of the sample, Va1 is a voltage related to the first force, and Va2 is a voltage related to the second force.

### Claim 15

A method for determining density of an object exposed to an acceleration in a first direction, comprising:
(a) completely immersing the object in a gaseous medium having a first density;
(b) determining a first applied force in a second direction opposite the firs direction, where the first applied force is sufficient to maintain the object in static equilibrium while the object is immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density;
(c) completely immersing the object in a gaseous medium having a second density that differs from the first density;
(d) determining a second applied force in the second direction which is sufficient to maintain the object in static equilibrium while immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density;
(e) completely immersing a calibration standard of known density in a gaseous medium having the first density;
(f) determining a third applied force in the second direction, where the third applied force is sufficient to maintain the calibration standard in static equilibrium while the calibration standard is immersed in the gaseous medium having the first density and exposed to the acceleration in the first direction;
(g) completely immersing the calibration standard in a gaseous medium having the second density;
(h) determining a fourth applied force in the second direction which is sufficient to maintain the calibration standard in static equilibrium while immersed in the gaseous medium having the second density and exposed to the acceleration in the first direction; and
(i) determining the density of the object based at least in part on the first and second densities, the first, second, third, and fourth applied forces, and the known density of the calibration standard.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15 wherein step (i) further comprises calculating a calibration ratio according to:
C
1
/
C
2
=
V
a4
⁡
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
1
)
V
a3
⁡
(
ρ
C
-
ρ
2
)
,
where C1/C2 is the calibration ratio, ρc is the density of the calibration standard, ρ1 is the first density, ρ2 is the second density, Va3 is a voltage related to the third applied force, and Va4 the fourth applied force.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 wherein step (i) further comprises determining the density of the object according to:
ρ
0
=
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
⁢
⁢
ρ
2
-
V
a2
⁢
⁢
ρ
1
V
a1
⁢
⁢
(
C
1
/
C
2
)
-
V
a2
,
where ρ0 is the density of the object, va1 is a voltage related to the first applied force, and Va2 is a voltage related to the second applied force.