# US RE44,943 E1 · Fluid properties evaluation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US RE44,943 E1 - Document ID: USRE44943E1 - Status: Granted - Kind: E1 - Application number: 13/591,593 - Filed: 2012-08-22 - Granted: 2014-06-10 - Earliest claimed: 2001-04-23 - Assignees: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation - Applicants: Vincent T. O'Brien - Inventors: Vincent T. O'Brien - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE44943E1 ## CPC - G01N 11/04: through a restricted passage, e.g. tube, aperture - G01N 11/165: {Sample held between two members substantially perpendicular to axis of rotation, e.g. parallel plate viscometer} - G01N 35/085: {Flow Injection Analysis} - 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) ## Abstract Fluid flow properties often dictate the performance of processing operations. The present invention relates to a system for evaluating properties of a fluid flowing in a pipe. A test cell (20) which includes two parallel surfaces (5, 6) which are positioned in the flow. One of the surfaces is moveable relative to the other, to a position in close proximity to the other, to create a stagnant flow region between the surfaces. The system further includes a test input device (10) to apply input motion to one of the surfaces, and a test output device (13) to measure output motions from the cell in response to input motions. Furthermore, the system includes a processing device (9) to calculate rheological parameters of the fluid from signals produced from the test input and test output device. There is also a process for evaluating properties of a flowing fluid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for evaluating properties of a flowing fluid comprising: a section of pipe through which the fluid flows; a test cell positioned in the pipe and presenting two parallel surfaces in line with the flow, one of which is moveable relative to the other, to a position in close proximity to the other, to create a stagnant flow region between the surfaces,; a test input means to apply input motions to one of the surfaces; a test output means to measure output motions from the cell in response to the input motions; and processing means to calculate rheological parameters of the fluid from signals produced from the test input and test output means; wherein the input motions are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor positioned in the fluid flow. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, further comprising a shield positioned upstream of the test cell to assist in the creation of a stagnant flow. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the test input means is an actuator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the test input means includes a motion sensor to determine the waveform of the input motion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the input motion comprises a complex waveform. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the test output means is a piezoelectric transducer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the processing means comprises: a computer; an analogue to digital converter; and a power amplifier. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A system according to claim 8, wherein the processing means further comprises computer software to perform at least one of the following: assemble input signal waveforms; store output signal data; compensate and adjust for drift occurring between the cell surfaces; and implement sampling regimes for the system to perform. ### Claim 10 A test cell to evaluate properties of a flowing fluid, comprising: a housing having an aperture for fluid to flow through and two parallel surfaces in the aperture in line with the flow, one of which is moveable relative to the other to a position in close proximity to the other to create a stagnant flow between the surfaces; a test input means to apply input motions to one of the surfaces; and a test output means to measure output motions related to calculations of rheological parameters from the cell in response to the input motions; wherein the input motions are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A test cell according to claim 10, further comprising a temperature sensor positioned in the fluid flow. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A test cell according to claim 10, further comprising a shield positioned upstream of the test cell to assist in the creation of a stagnant flow. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A test cell according to claim 10, wherein the test input means is an actuator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A test cell according to claim 10, wherein the test input means includes a motion sensor to determine the waveform of the input motion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A test cell according to claim 10, wherein the input motion comprises a complex waveform. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) A test cell according to claim 10, wherein the test output means is a piezoelectric transducer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) A test cell according to claim 10, wherein the processing means comprises: a computer; an analogue to digital converter; and a power amplifier. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A test cell according to claim 17, wherein the processing means further comprises computer software to perform at least one of the following: assemble input signal waveforms; store output signal data; compensate and adjust for drift occurring between the cell surfaces; and implement sampling regimes for the system to perform. ### Claim 19 A process for evaluating properties of a flowing fluid, comprising the following steps: positioning two parallel surfaces in line with the flow to define a test cell therebetween; moving one of the surfaces relative to the other, to a position in close proximity to the other, to create a stagnant flow region between the surfaces; applying input motions to one of the surfaces; measuring output motions from the cell in response to the input motions; and calculating rheological parameters of the fluid from signals produced from test input and test output means; wherein the input motions are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A process according to claim 19, further comprising a temperature sensor positioned in the fluid flow. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A process according to claim 19, further comprising a shield positioned upstream of the test cell to assist in the creation of a stagnant flow. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) A process according to claim 19, wherein the test input means is an actuator. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) A process according to claim 19, wherein the test input means includes a motion sensor to determine the waveform of the input motion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) A process according to claim 19, wherein the input motion comprises a complex waveform. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) A process according to claim 19, wherein the test output means is a piezoelectric transducer. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) A process according to claim 19, wherein the processing means comprises: a computer; an analogue to digital converter; and a power amplifier. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A process according to claim 26, wherein the processing means further comprises computer software to perform at least one of the following: assemble input signal waveforms; store output signal data; compensate and adjust for drift occurring between the cell surfaces; and implement sampling regimes for the system to perform.