Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature rheometer and improved force sensor elements which may advantageously be used in combination with the miniature rheometer. The miniature rheometer is adapted to determine rheological characteristics of materials which are provided in the form of small quantity samples. The force sensor element according to the present invention allows simultaneous measurement of a shear force and a normal force applied to the sensor element. Moreover, the force sensor may employ stress-optic material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for screening combinatorial libraries of materials by measuring the response of individual library members to mechanical perturbations is described. The apparatus generally includes a sample holder for containing the library members, an array of probes for mechanically perturbing individual library members, and an array of sensors for measuring the response of each of the library members to the mechanical perturbations. Library members undergoing screening make up a sample array, and individual library members constitute elements of the sample array that are confined to specific locations on the sample holder. During screening, the apparatus mechanically perturbs individual library members by displacing the sample array (sample holder) and the array of probes. Typically, all of the elements of the sample array are perturbed simultaneously, but the apparatus also can also perturb individual or groups of sample array elements sequentially.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-use electronic device and test card for use therein which performs a coagulation or lysis assay of a blood or plasma sample. The device includes a housing having an exterior surface and defining an interior area and means for receiving the sample through the housing into the interior space. A non-porous substrate is positioned within the interior space for receiving the sample thereon. Preferably, a reagent accelerates the coagulation of the sample and is positioned on the substrate and in contact with the sample. An electroactive species is added to the sample. The device also measures the impedance of the sample and generating an electrical signal which correlates to a curve of the coagulation/lysis assay. Optionally, the electrical signal is received and converted into a digital output corresponding to the coagulation/lysis assay using assay calibration information stored therein. The digital output can be displayed external to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for screening combinatorial libraries of materials by measuring the response of individual library members to mechanical perturbations is described. The apparatus generally includes a sample holder for containing the library members, an array of probes for mechanically perturbing individual library members, and an array of sensors for measuring the response of each of the library members to the mechanical perturbations. Library members undergoing screening make up a sample array, and individual library members constitute elements of the sample array that are confined to specific locations on the sample holder. During screening, the apparatus mechanically perturbs individual library members by displacing the sample array (sample holder) and the array of probes. Typically, all of the elements of the sample array are perturbed simultaneously, but the apparatus also can also perturb individual or groups of sample array elements sequentially.

Abstract: A resist recycling apparatus includes a viscosity control tank supplied with wasted resist liquid; a solvent tank that supplies a solvent to the viscosity control tank; a viscometer that measures viscosity of the resist according to the viscosity measured by the viscometer and the temperature of the resist, and that determines an amount of solvent to supply to the viscosity control tank according to the difference between the calculated resin density and a predetermined resin density; and a filter that removes dust from the resist.

Abstract: A sample surface component for an instrument the measures viscosity and viscoelasticity. The instrument has a cam, a follower arm, a flat spring, a plate fixture, and a removable plate assembly. The cam is a rotating circular disk with a spiral slot. A cam follower on the follower arm resides in the spiral slot so that the follower arm pivots about its fixed end as the cam rotates. The spring is attached to and collinear with the fixed end of the follower arm so that the spring pivots in the opposite direction as the follower arm. The sample surface component include a removable plate assembly with a lower plate and an upper plate with mating sample surfaces on which test fluid is placed. The lower plate fits into a lower jaw of the plate fixture that is attached to the instrument base. The upper plate fits into an upper jaw of the plate fixture attached to the free end of the spring. A fluid is placed on the lower sample surface.

Abstract: A method for determining oil viscosity includes measuring an oil viscosity parameter value while an oil pump pumps oil through an engine lubrication system. Thereafter, the oil viscosity parameter value is compared to a stored look-up table of oil viscosity parameter values versus oil viscosity values and the viscosity of the oil contained within the vehicle lubrication system is interpolated from the table. The look-up table is generated by installing the pump in a test system and then, measuring the oil viscosity parameter value as the pump pumps oils of known viscosities. For increased accuracy, the look-up table is generated for several temperatures within the range of normal engine operating temperatures and several pump speeds within the range of normal operating pump speeds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the oil grade of an actuating fluid in a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining an actuating fluid temperature, a pump speed, and a peak pressure or a timing event of the actuating fluid, and responsively determining the oil grade of the actuating fluid.

Abstract: This invention provides a resist recycling apparatus and the method for resist recycling. A resist recycling apparatus includes a viscosity control tank being supplied with wasted resist liquid, a solvent tank supplying a solvent to the viscosity control tank, a viscometer measuring viscosity of the resist in the viscosity control tank, a control portion calculating the resin density of the resist according to the viscosity measured by the viscometer and the temperature of the resist, determining an amount of solvent to supply to the viscosity control tank according to the difference between the calculated resin density and a predetermined resin density, and a filter for removing dust from the resist.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for affinity viscosimetry and a viscosimetric affinity sensor on the basis of sensitive liquids with analyte-dependent viscosity which are localized within a perfusable dialysis chamber and contain colloidal constituents which are cross-linked by affinity bonds. The viscosimetric affinity sensor according to this invention is characterized by the spatial or temporal separation of analyte diffusion from the measurement of the flow resistance for such sensitive liquid flowing through a capillary, needle-like body or other liquid conductor, which integrated combination of a dialysis chamber with viscosimeter enables a researcher to make measurements under lab conditions that provide spatial separation of the dialysis process from the rheological analysis, as done under test conditions where the maximum shear rate of sensitive liquid in the viscosity sensor is at least twice that shear rate of sensitive liquid experienced in the dialysis chamber.

Abstract: A drilling mud monitoring system includes a single measurement chamber which is filled with a predetermined quantity of drilling mud. The chamber is weighed to provide a value representative of the density of the drilling mud. The time needed for the chamber to drain is measured to provide a value representative of viscosity. The system proceeds through a measurement cycle in which the chamber is filled, weighed, timed, and washed. At the end of the wash step, the weight of the chamber is compared with an empty weight and if the chamber weighs too much, the conclusion is that drilling mud adheres to the chamber so it is washed again. An alarm is sounded if the mud weight is too low and/or too high or in the case of a machine malfunction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining viscosity of a low viscous fluid. A narrow tube samples a fluid sample. The apparatus or capillary viscometer determines viscosity within average relative deviation of less than 2% over a range of viscosity greater than two decades by mass flow rate. The apparatus includes a glass capillary viscometer with thermal jacket, balance with serial interface, and software for computer interface.

Abstract: A device which may be carried by and part of an unmanned vehicle which measures characteristics of manure of animals such as dairy cows that are milked and fed in a stable provided for them. The vehicle is supported by three driven wheels and carries a mechanism for analyzing manure which comprises a compression chamber for receiving a manure sample. A sieve is provided on one side of the chamber and a piston forces the manure sample through the sieve. By measuring the pressure required to squeeze the manure sample through the sieve, characteristics such as the fibrousness and the viscosity of the manure sample can be determined. The vehicle also carries an identification instrumentality for identifying the animal that provided the manure sample and may carry a temperature sensor and an inertia meter. It is operatively associated with a computer which registers data provided from analysis of each animal's manure sample and provides same as displayable data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the oil grade of an actuating fluid in a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining an actuating fluid temperature, a pump speed, and a peak pressure or a timing event of the actuating fluid, and responsively determining the oil grade of the actuating fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the oil grade of an actuating fluid in a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining an actuating fluid temperature, a pump speed, and a peak pressure or a timing event of the actuating fluid, and responsively determining the oil grade of the actuating fluid.

Abstract: The apparatus (10) is used for determining the consistency index (k) and the power law index (n) of a Newtonian fluid or non-Newtonian power law fluid. A method is also disclosed. Accordingly, the fluid flows in a laminar manner through a first (12) and a second static mixer (14) successively connected together by means of an intermediary pipe (18). A first pressure differential (&Dgr;P1) corresponding to a pressure drop of the fluid through the first static mixer (12) is measured. Similarly, a second pressure differential (&Dgr;P2) corresponding to a pressure drop of the fluid through the second static mixer (14) is measured. Finally, the consistency index (k) and the power law index (n) are calculated using the Metzner and Otto concept generalized to static mixers. The apparent viscosity may also be calculated. This invention may be mounted directly on a main supply pipe (16) and allows the rheological properties of the fluid to be known in real time.

Abstract: The system and the method are used to determine the process viscosity (&mgr;) of a fluid (22) in a film metering device (10) used to form a film (24) to be applied on a substrate (20), such as a paper web or any other suitable flexible materials. The apparent shear rate ({dot over (&ggr;)}) of the fluid, indicative of the flow field, may also be calculated. These parameters are calculated using a pressure profile representing the pressure of the fluid between a transfer roll (12) and a metering rod (30) which controls the thickness of the coating film (24). The torque (T) applied on the metering rod (30) is also measured and taken into account in the calculations. The system and method allow the process viscosity (&mgr;) to be easily and accurately determined during the operation of the film metering device (10) without the need of testing the fluid in an external device and attempting to extrapolate the results to the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-use electronic device and test card for use therein which performs a coagulation or lysis assay of a blood sample. The device includes a housing having an exterior surface and defining an interior area and means for receiving the sample through the housing into the interior space. A non-porous substrate is positioned within the interior space for receiving the sample thereon. A reagent accelerates the coagulation of the sample and is positioned on the substrate and in contact with the sample. Optionally, an electroactive species may also be reacted with the sample. The device also includes means for measuring the viscosity of the sample and generating an electrical signal which correlates to a curve of the coagulation/lysis assay.

Abstract: A bearing-sensor integration in which one or more multi-sensor lubrication sensing devices are positioned relative to the bearing to sense in situ certain parameters of the lubricating fluid. The lubrication sensing devices may be positioned on an interior surface of a bearing raceway (i.e, the outer raceway and/or the inner raceway), the bearing's cage, sealing cover, circulating system, a compliant structure positioned within the bearing chamber, a flowgate, and/or a reservoir. The lubrication sensing device(s) may include sensors for measuring certain parameters of the lubricating fluid, such as pH, chemical characteristics, electrical conductivity, temperature and/or viscosity. A processor receives lubrication-related data from the lubrication sensing device(s), processes the lubrication-related data, and provides information relating to lubrication health and/or health of the machine employing the lubricant.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the viscosity and/or temperature of high temperature liquids, such as molten metals, glass and similar materials comprises a rod which is an acoustical waveguide through which a transducer emits an ultrasonic signal through one end of the probe, and which is reflected from (a) a notch or slit or an interface between two materials of the probe and (b) from the other end of the probe which is in contact with the hot liquid or hot melt, and is detected by the same transducer at the signal emission end. To avoid the harmful effects of introducing a thermally conductive heat sink into the melt, the probe is made of relatively thermally insulative (non-heat-conductive) refractory material. The time between signal emission and reflection, and the amplitude of reflections, are compared against calibration curves to obtain temperature and viscosity values.

Abstract: A gas analyzer (10) integrated into the main passageway (11) of a breathing circuit includes pressure-drop flow element (12) that measures a pressure drop across an orifice, an acoustic flowmeter (14) measures the speed of sound in the gas mixture, and a SAW device (20) from which the viscosity of the gas mixture is determined. The dielectric constant of the gas mixture is determined from the capacitance of spaced-apart charged plates of a capacitor (22) through which the mixture passes. The gas mixture density is determined from the measured pressure drop and flow rate, while the gas mixture specific heat is determined from the density and speed of sound in accordance with known relationships. The individual concentrations of five constituents of a mixture of gasses can be determined by solving five equations relating the independently measured properties of the gas mixture to the individual constituent concentrations.

Abstract: A meter for measuring the volume of a flowing fluid includes a viscosensitive unit through which the fluid flows under laminar flow conditions, a first fluidic oscillator in series with the viscosensitive unit, and a second fluidic oscillator shunting at least the viscosensitive unit. The viscosensitive unit and the fluidic oscillators are adapted to determine the viscosity of the fluid so as to apply to the fluid volume measured by the fluidic oscillators a correction dependent on the Reynolds number.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for affinity viscosimetry and a viscosimetric affinity sensor on the basis of sensitive liquids with analyte-dependent viscosity which are localized within a perfusable dialysis chamber and contain colloidal constituents which are cross-linked by affinity bonds. The viscosimetric affinity sensor according to this invention is characterized by the spatial or temporal separation of analyte diffusion from the measurement of the flow resistance for such sensitive liquid flowing through a capillary, needle-like body or other liquid conductor, which integrated combination of a dialysis chamber with viscosimeter enables a researcher to make measurements under lab conditions that provide spatial separation of the dialysis process from the rheological analysis, as done under test conditions where the maximum shear rate of sensitive liquid in the viscosity sensor is at least twice that shear rate of sensitive liquid experienced in the dialysis chamber.