Abstract: Refrigerant gas can pass through hollow type plate, and this can be employed for refrigeration of a block by employment of the plate in thermal communication with the block. The block, which typically contains one or more test cells, may have a rhomboid shape.

Abstract: Scanning Brookfield dry block instrument component, viscometer instrument, and method of use of the instrument can employ direct refrigeration with heat provision. A thermoelectric chip substitute may be employed as well.

Abstract: Directly refrigerated component or system in which a refrigerating pathway is provided with passive cooling moderation. The passive cooling moderation can be provided, for example, by a passive cooling moderator that has moderating live space, or by a passive cooling moderator has moderating dead space. The component or system can be a test device for rotational viscometric testing of an oleaginous fluid, and, when it has test wells and sample sleeves which go into the wells, the sample sleeves can be stopped from rotating in the wells by a pin and pin-engaging hole or slot arrangement.

Abstract: Heat-inhibition respecting a motor is provided in connection with a heated instrument through a stand-off mount system and/or a heat-inhibiting rotor/stirrer. The instrument can be a hot bath containing instrument where stirring of the contents of the bath can be carried out, for example, a kinematic viscosity bath device, which may include the stand-off mount system and heat-inhibiting rotor/stirrer in which is present a convoluted path for heat conduction and/or increased air flow generator between the surface of the bath and the motor.

Abstract: Device for direct refrigeration has heat-conductable solid member with refrigerant passageway coursing through or about; and at least one test sample well in or in proximity to it, at least one solid, heat-generating member affixed or in proximity to it; and/or optional component(s) and/or feature(s). Heat-conductable solid member may have opposing refrigerant flowpaths containing conventional cooling material(s), for example, air, liquid methanol or ethylene glycol, but preferably, refrigerant for direct refrigeration. The member may be, for example, a block of copper and/or other material with a high heat-conductance, with one or more test sample well(s) for insertion of test sample cell(s) for low-temperature rotary viscometric yield stress testing of engine oils, or other testing. Heating may be employed. Dynamic temperature control can be facilitated by temperature sensor and/or controller system, with sensor(s) and/or heating element(s) strategically placed in or on the block.

Abstract: Heater-evaporator has a hollow refrigerator fluid evaporator body with which is incorporated a heater. The body can enclose the heater, which is separate from the body, or the body and the heater can be part of one another. The heater can be heated by any suitable means, to include electrical resistance and/or induction. The invention can be utilized in refrigeration and temperature control, to include, for example, in laboratory test devices requiring refrigeration and temperature control.