# US 8,739,609 B2 · Test sample heating apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,609 B2 - Document ID: US8739609B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/732,680 - Filed: 2010-03-26 - Published: 2010-09-30 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-27 - Assignees: OFI Testing Equipment, Inc. - Applicants: Richard Lukay; Jarod Hammar - Inventors: Richard Lukay; Jarod Hammar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739609B2 ## CPC - G01N 11/14: by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane (G01N11/16 takes precedence) - B01L 7/00: Heating or cooling apparatus (autoclaves B01J3/04); Heat insulating devices - B01L 2200/147: Employing temperature sensors - B01L 2300/04: Closures and closing means - B01L 2300/16: Surface properties and coatings - B01L 2300/168: Specific optical properties, e.g. reflective coatings - B01L 2300/1827: using resistive heater - G01N 2011/002: {Controlling sample temperature; Thermal cycling during measurement} - 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) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## Abstract A test sample heating apparatus and method includes a heating jacket that applies heat to a sample vessel containing a test sample. The heating jacket has a vessel-receiving recess that is sized and shaped to allow the sample vessel to be placed within the recess with limited annular spacing between at least part of the sample vessel exterior surface and at least part of the heating jacket recess interior surface. Proximate surfaces of at least one of the heating jacket and the sample vessel may be coated with a dark coating to enhance heat transfer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A viscometer apparatus comprising: a viscometer; said viscometer having a viscometer body, a sample cup, a bob operable to be positioned in said a sample cup, a bob shaft connecting said bob to said viscometer body; a heating unit having a heat jacket; said heat jacket defining a heating unit recess; said sample cup having a cup exterior wall surface; said heat jacket having a jacket interior wall surface; an annular space between said sample cup exterior wall surface and said heat jacket interior wall surface, wherein there is no direct physical contact between said sample cup exterior wall surface and said heat jacket interior wall surface; said heat jacket operable to emit radiant heat energy to said sample cup; and said jacket interior wall surface spaced from said cup exterior wall surface a distance in a range of 0.127 mm (0.0005) inches to 6.25 mm (0.25 inches). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said heat jacket conducted of a thermally-conductive material; a heat source is connected to said heat jacket; said heat source operable to increase the temperature of said heat jacket; whereby said heat jacket is operable to radiate heat from a jacket interior wall to a sample cup exterior wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said jacket interior wall surface coated with a coating having an emissivity coefficient in a range of 0.60 to 1.00. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said cup exterior wall surface coated with a coating having an emissivity coefficient in a range of 0.60 to 1.00. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said jacket interior wall surface coated with a coating having a friction coefficient in a range of 0.2 to 0.0; and said cup exterior wall surface coated with a coating having a friction coefficient in a range of 0.2 to 0.0. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said cup exterior wall surface having a cylindrical structure; said jacket interior wall surface defining a hollow cylinder; and said sample cup operable to rotate within said heat jacket. ### Claim 7 A viscometer apparatus comprising: a viscometer; said viscometer having a viscometer body, a sample cup, a bob operable to be positioned in said a sample cup, a bob shaft connecting said bob to said viscometer body; a heating unit having a heat jacket; said heat jacket defining a heating unit recess; said sample cup having a cup exterior wall surface; said heat jacket having a jacket interior wall surface; an annular space between said sample cup exterior wall surface and said heat jacket interior wall surface, wherein there is no direct physical contact between said sample cup exterior wall surface and said heat jacket interior wall surface; and said heat jacket operable to emit radiant heat energy to said sample cup without use of a conductive liquid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said heat jacket constructed of a thermally-conductive material; a heat source is connected to said heat jacket; said heat source operable to increase the temperature of said heat jacket; whereby said heat jacket is operable to radiate heat from a jacket interior wall to a sample cup exterior wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said jacket interior wall surface coated with a coating having an emissivity coefficient in a range of 0.60 to 1.00. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said cup exterior wall surface coated with a coating having an emissivity coefficient in a range of 0.60 to 1.00. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said jacket interior wall surface coated with a non-reflective coating. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said cup exterior wall surface coated with a non-reflective coating. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said jacket interior wall surface having a finish roughness in a range of 630 to 9,842.5 rms microns (16 to 250 rms micro-inch); and said sample cup operable to rotate within said jacket interior wall surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said cup exterior wall surface having a finish roughness in a range of 630 to 9,842.5 rms microns (16 to 250 rms micro-inch); and said sample cup operable to rotate within said jacket interior wall surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said jacket interior wall surface coated with a coating having an friction coefficient in a range of 0.2 to 0.0. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said cup exterior wall surface coated with a coating having an friction coefficient in a range of 0.2 to 0.0.