Including A Photocell Patents (Class 73/54.08)
  • Patent number: 9176040
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring fluid viscosity are revealed. An inlet end of a container is larger than an outlet end of the container. A fluid flows through the outlet end at a flow rate. A volume of the fluid flowing out of the outlet end is measured by a graduated cylinder while the time taken for the fluid to flow through the outlet end is measured by a timer. The flow rate is associated with the volume and the time of the fluid and the viscosity of the fluid is obtained according to a density and a pressure gradient of the fluid, an outlet end radius and the flow rate. The apparatus has simple structure, easy operation and maintenance. Moreover, less space is required and the apparatus cost is low. Therefore, the testability is improved, the measurement time is reduced, and the convenience in use is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Huei Chu Weng, Yuan Kai Kao
  • Patent number: 9074974
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring viscosity includes a container in which an inlet radius of an inlet end is larger than an outlet radius of an outlet end. A fluid with a flow velocity is placed in the container. The fluid has a density value and a pressure gradient value. A pressure controller for controlling the pressure gradient value of the fluid is connected to the inlet end and the outlet end. A flow meter measures the flow velocity. A viscosity of the fluid is correlated with the density value, the pressure gradient value, the inlet radius, the outlet radius and the flow velocity. After being applied to various fluids, the present invention improves testability. Moreover, the measurement time is reduced due to simple structure. The maintenance is easy and the operation is not complicated. Furthermore, less space is required, the cost is down and the measurement error is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Huei Chu Weng, Yuan Kai Kao
  • Publication number: 20120236302
    Abstract: A nano viscometer device suitable for determining the concentration of a solute within a fluid sample preferably includes a hollow core Photonic Crystal Fibre (HC-PCF) acting as a capillary tube having a core and means for filling the capillary tube with a fluid sample. Light is preferably guided light into the HC-PCF and detected exiting the tube. The rate at which the capillary tube is filled with the fluid is optically measured based on the light to determine the viscosity of the fluid to calculate the concentration of a solute. The preferred capillary viscometer is capable of measuring the viscosity of nano-litre quantities of a sample fluid. On one example, the preferred viscometer makes use of HC-PCF for the detection of glucose dissolved in nano water, demonstrating that HC-PCF can be used for continuous monitoring of glucose levels within blood plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: University College Cork - National University of Ireland
    Inventors: Monika Rutowska, Fatima C. Garcia Gunning, Laura Horan, Galvin Khara
  • Publication number: 20110214486
    Abstract: Method and device for measuring the flow properties of a poorly flowing material. The material is placed in a measuring reservoir (2) equipped with a flow opening (6) of the desired size (2), an upwards and downwards motion is induced in the reservoir (2) with the aid of an operating device (4), to which the reservoir (2) is attached, and the flow properties of the material are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Kari Séppala
  • Patent number: 7051581
    Abstract: A library of materials is screened for viscosity. A library of materials is provided. The library is contacted with at least one capillary for applying a force through the materials. The relative flow resistance of the materials is measured in response to the force; and the materials in the library are ranked based on the monitored flow resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mansky, Damian A. Hajduk
  • Patent number: 6993958
    Abstract: A microfluidic system is provided for separating components of many fluid samples in a parallel fashion through an array of capillary conduits. The system includes capillary conduits for receiving fluid samples, and for effecting separation of substituents of the sample by passing the sample through a corresponding array of capillary separation conduits containing a solid separation medium. The microfluidic circuit is made of three or more substrate layers and preferably includes etched channels in different layers that are dimensioned relative to one another to provide for retaining the solid composition within the capillary separation conduits. The system also includes an array of detector flow cells in fluid communication with the capillary separation conduits, and an array of high pressure connectors for connecting discrete capillary tubes to the fluid passages in the microfluidic circuit for introducing and removing the fluid samples from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: PerSeptive BioSystems
    Inventor: Carlton H. Paul
  • Patent number: 6941797
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for automated and simultaneous determination of the viscosity of a plurality of liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephan Nowak
  • Patent number: 6732574
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring viscosity or related properties of fluid samples in parallel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubes and reservoirs in fluid communication with the tubes. The tubes provide flow paths for the fluid samples, which are initially contained within the reservoirs. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for filling the reservoirs with the fluid samples, and a device for determining volumetric flow rates of fluid samples flowing from the reservoirs through the plurality of tubes simultaneously. The disclosed apparatus is capable of measuring viscosity or related properties of at least five fluid samples simultaneously. Useful reservoirs and tubes include syringes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Hajduk, Paul Mansky
  • Patent number: 6393898
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring viscosity or related properties of fluid samples in parallel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubes and reservoirs in fluid communication with the tubes. The tubes provide flow paths for the fluid samples, which are initially contained within the reservoirs. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for filling the reservoirs with the fluid samples, and a device for determining volumetric flow rates of fluid samples flowing from the reservoirs through the plurality of tubes simultaneously. The disclosed apparatus is capable of measuring viscosity or related properties of at least five fluid samples simultaneously. Useful reservoirs and tubes include syringes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Hajduk, Paul Mansky