Abstract: A fluid mixing device, for the continuous mixing of two or more fluids, having a mixing chamber which has fluid contact surfaces defining an internal chamber region, a fluid inlet, for feeding fluid into the chamber region, a fluid outlet, for feeding fluid out of the chamber region, and a fluid mixer within the chamber region which is capable of inducing mixing of two or more fluids within a mixing region. The mixing chamber is configured so that the dead volume within the chamber region is filled in such a way that the mixing region corresponds to the chamber region. A fluid inlet valve for use in the fluid mixing device has entrance and exit aperture sealing means which are adapted to allow passage of fluid respectively into and out of a body portion of the valve, according to a specified pressure differential between the pressure externally of the entrance aperture and the pressure externally of the exit aperture.

Abstract: A fluid mixing device, for the continuous mixing of two or more fluids, having a mixing chamber which has fluid contact surfaces defining an internal chamber region, a fluid inlet, for feeding fluid into the chamber region, a fluid outlet, for feeding fluid out of the chamber region, and a fluid mixer within the chamber region which is capable of inducing mixing of two or more fluids within a mixing region. The mixing chamber is configured so that the dead volume within the chamber region is filled in such a way that the mixing region corresponds to the chamber region. A fluid inlet valve for use in the fluid mixing device has entrance and exit aperture sealing means which are adapted to allow passage of fluid respectively into and out of a body portion of the valve, according to a specified pressure differential between the pressure externally of the entrance aperture and the pressure externally of the exit aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the continuous preparation of a mixture of two or more fluids, such as paints, enamels and dyes, to produce a resulting fluid having desired pre-defined physical properties, such as a particular color, opacity, hue, saturation, luminosity, density and/or viscosity, with automatic adjustment of the physical characteristics of the resulting fluid mixture. The apparatus comprises storage devices, a mixer, a fluid supply device, a detector, and a control device. The control device is adapted to receive a signal from the detector, the signal representing the detected physical characteristic of a fluid supplied by the fluid supply device, and to compare the detected physical characteristic with a desired physical characteristic of the fluid.

Abstract: A system which continuously automatically produces paint, particularly for automotive applications, includes tanks of raw materials which are constructed to supply resins, paint concentrates, paint additives, and paint solvents in a fully automated and continuous matter, which results in the production of paints substantially without manual intervention. The system includes a main circulation system which receives the metered dosages of raw materials automatically, collects the raw materials in mixing tanks and which includes outlet pipes which direct the mixture towards a main mixer. The paint is directed to a storage tank, with a portion of the paint being diverted to a control cell which samples the paint and analyzes it and derives from it parametric information which is compared to prestored criteria and which serves to adjust the properties of the ultimately obtained paint as to color, coverage and viscosity.

Abstract: A fluid analysis system, for analyzing a specified physical characteristic of a fluid, and a method for the same, the system having a sampling region in communication with a fluid inlet to permit feeding of the fluid between opposed fluid contact surface to form a fluid film with a thickness defined by the distance between the opposed surfaces. A film irradiator irradiates the film with electromagnetic radiation in order to produce an interaction radiation containing information associated with the specified physical characteristic of the fluid, a receptor for receiving the interaction radiation, and a detector associated with the receptor for detecting the interaction radiation. At least one of the opposed fluid surfaces is pervious to electromagnetic radiation.