Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing flowability of a multiphase fluid are provided. The method includes agitating a sample of the multiphase fluid contained in a container while controlling an agitation force applied to the sample; pouring the sample, after it has been agitated, into a viscosity cup having an opening at its upper end and an orifice at its lower end and thereby causing the multiphase fluid to flow out of the viscosity cup through the orifice; weighing an amount of the multiphase fluid that has flowed through the orifice and into a receiving vessel over a period of time; and assessing flowability of the multiphase fluid sample using the weight of the multiphase fluid sample in the receiving vessel as a function of time.

Abstract: A reagent bottle cleaning device is provided, comprising a base, a cleaning assembly, and a cleaning block. The cleaning assembly comprises a pushing cylinder and a mounting plate. A plurality of mounting grooves are disposed on the mounting plate. Each mounting groove is provided with a cleaning motor. The cleaning motor is provided with a cleaning screw rod. The cleaning block is provided with cleaning grooves corresponding to the cleaning screw rods. Injecting pumps are disposed between the cleaning block and the cleaning assembly. The injecting pumps are connected to the base by lifting cylinders. Full-automatic quick cleaning of reagent bottles can be realized under the effect of a main control chip.

Abstract: Provided is a mold carrier. The mold carrier comprises a mold bearing chassis, a pressure bearing plate, and a tie bar. The mold bearing chassis includes a plurality of molds disposed therein. Each mold has one or more mold cavities. The pressure bearing plate is configured to physically couple to the mold bearing chassis during an injection molding process. The tie bar runs through the center of the mold bearing chassis and the pressure bearing plate. The mold bearing chassis is configured to allow components to be removed from their molds without separating the mold bearing chassis from the pressure bearing plate.

Abstract: A technique, including a system and a method, for measuring a fluid property using a piezo-actuated fluid dispenser, is disclosed. The technique includes generating a pressure wave in a channel in the piezo-actuated fluid dispenser using a piezo element, detecting, using the piezo element, a residual pressure oscillation in the channel caused by the generating, obtaining a resonance frequency of the pressure oscillation, and determining, using the resonance frequency, the fluid property.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a transport and storage system for a slurry comprising: a main container; and a test container, the main container and the test container being exposed to the same environmental conditions, the main container and the test container containing a slurry from the same batch, wherein the test container is designed to determine the viscosity of the slurry.

Abstract: A condition of an industrial process is diagnosed based upon process variable information related to a value of a measured process variable. Histogram information is calculated based upon the determined process variable information and time information related to a duration of time the measured process variable has the value. Condition of the industrial process is diagnosed based upon the calculated histogram information.

Abstract: A rheometer for measuring the viscosity of a fluid, and including an extruder for filling the rheometer. The rotational speed of the extruder is adjustable for filling the rheometer.

Abstract: The present invention is a capillary rheometer cleaning and packing device comprising: (a) a linear motion device for creating controlled linear motion in a linear motion rod, wherein the linear motion rod is adapted to receive a cleaning/packing rod; (b) a housing securing means wherein the securing means is adapted to secure an existing capillary rheometer housing to the cleaning and packing device such that a barrel mounted concentrically within the capillary rheometer housing is positioned coaxially below the linear motion rod; and (c) a means of attaching the capillary rheometer cleaning and packing apparatus to an existing capillary rheometer.

Abstract: In the evaluation apparatus of the present invention, there are formed a plurality of minute channels having a cross-sectional area of not more than 1 mm2, one end of each of these channels joins in at a single meeting point and, when liquids are put into one or more of the liquid reservoirs in a higher position over any other liquid reservoir, the liquids flow down in the channels by gravity. Therefore, a scientific phenomenon, such as the diffusion of molecules, can be qualitatively observed. Furthermore, the apparatus provides a sufficient level of accuracy to enable the user to watch various phenomena involved in advanced technology, and uses no large quantity of chemicals or the like, which means little load on the environment.

Abstract: A rheometer for measuring the viscosity of a fluid, and comprising an extruder by means of which the rheometer can be filled with the fluid; the rotation speed of the extruder can be adjusted for the filling of the rheometer.

Abstract: A flow measuring valve device (1) for fluid, the flow measuring valve (1) comprising a first restriction (48) and a second restriction (76) connected in series with the first restriction (48), the flow rates of said restrictions (48, 76) being unequally dependent on the viscosity of the fluid, and a method for determining the viscosity of the fluid by means of the device.

Abstract: The dielectric slit die is an instrument that is designed to measure electrical, rheological, ultrasonics, optical and other properties of a flowing liquid. In one application, it is connected to the exit of an extruder, pump or mixing machine that passes liquefied material such as molten plastic, solvents, slurries, colloidal suspensions, and foodstuffs into the sensing region of the slit shaped die. Dielectric sensing is the primary element of the slit die, but in addition to the dielectric sensor, the die contains other sensing devices such as pressure, optical fiber, and ultrasonic sensors that simultaneously yield an array of materials property data. The slit die has a flexible design that permits interchangeability among sensors and sensor positions. The design also allows for the placement of additional sensors and instrumentation ports that expand the potential data package obtained.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems, and methods measure viscosity, flow times, and/or other flow characteristics within the channels, and the measured flow characteristics can be used to generate a desired flow. Multi-reservoir pressure modulator and pressure controller systems, electrokinetic systems and/or other fluid transport mechanisms can generate the flow, controllably mix fluids, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for studying the properties of a fluid are provided in which in which a rheometer is used to obtain, for example, value(s) indicative of the shear stress in the fluid to thereby obtain a set of data. The data is then directly compared using, for example, multivariate analysis, with previously obtained data corresponding to a fluid(s) with known rheological properties. The results of this comparison can then be used, for example, to control a manufacturing process.

Abstract: A sensing system for a target includes a member with an embedded charge, at least one input electrode, at least one output electrode, at least one common electrode, one or more probes, an input system, and an output monitoring system. The input and output electrodes are spaced from and on substantially opposing sides of the member from the common electrode. At least one of the member and the input and output electrodes is movable with respect to the other. The probes which engage with the target hazardous substance are connected to the at least one of the member and the input and output electrodes which is movable with respect to the other. The input system is coupled between the at least one input electrode and the at least one output electrode and provides an input signal. The output monitoring system is coupled between the at least one output electrode and the at least one common electrode and detects a change in an output signal when the target engages with the movable member or electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test device for the ultrasonic testing of strand material, comprising a) a stationary container that defines a substantially cylindrical interior space that has a larger diameter than the strand material and that has a cylinder axis, and b) a device for producing a peripheral water jacket that is associated either with at least one nozzle for a water feed disposed substantially tangential to an inner surface of the interior space and leading to said interior space, and/or with a bucket wheel that rotates about the cylinder axis and that is provided with a drive unit, and c) at least one ultrasonic probe that is linked with the container and that has an active surface that is freely accessible from the cylindrical interior space.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of rheometry and to a corresponding rheometer apparatus having particular application to the manufacturing of polymers. The invention provides a method of studying the properties of a polymer. A rheometer having a pump (2) and a die(3) is arranged such that polymer is pumped through the die. Transducers (4) measure pressures within the rheometer. The polymer is supplied to the rheometer with the pump (2) at one speed and value(s) indicative of the shear stress in the fluid within the die are obtained from the transducers (4). This provides a set of data. The data is then directly compared, using multivariate analysis with previously obtained data corresponding to polymer(s) with known rheological properties. The results of this comparison may then be used to control the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process and a device for determining changes in a liquid medium, in particular a liquid coating agent or its components, caused by shear stress, in which a given volume of the medium is allowed to pass repeatedly through a shear unit under reproducible conditions.

Abstract: A system for providing process control information, such as viscosity, concerning a polymer melt comprises a means containing a polymer melt under pressure; means for diverting a stream of the polymer melt directly from said containing means to and through an orifice of predetermined geometrical shape wherein the flow of said diverted portion to and through said orifice is unobstructed and directly dependent on the pressure of said main polymer melt wherein the cross sectional area is sized to permit the flow of said diverted melt polymer therethrough absence additional independent means acting on said diverted melt polymer for increasing flow through said orifice; temperature sensing means for measuring the temperature of the diverted melt stream and producing a resultant temperature signal; pressure sensing means for measuring the pressure of the diverted melt stream and producing a resultant pressure signal, said pressure signal being directly dependent on the pressure of polymer in said main polymer melt

Abstract: In a method for continuous or discontinuous measurement of shear and strain viscosities of Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids, in particular structurally viscous liquids such as polymer melts and solutions and elastomers as well as other structural liquids, the liquid is passed through a first capillary or capillary configuration and through a second capillary connected in series therewith, wherein the liquid in the first capillary or capillary configuration shears only within a defined shear velocity range and the shear viscosity is determined, and, subsequently, the liquid in the second capillary having the same or somewhat smaller shear velocity range, shears and is additionally subjected to a strain-flow so that its flow-through resistance comprises shear as well as strain resistances.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for analyzing a fluid includes a disposable fluidic sensor module, a replaceable transducer module, and an expendable electronics package. The disposable fluidic sensor includes a fluidic flowmeter and a capillary structure formed in a plate-like member which receives a sample fluid flow. The fluidic flowmeter is responsive to the fluid flow to generate an output indicative of the flow rate of the fluid, and the capillary structure restricts the fluid flow such that a pressure drop across the capillary structure is related to the viscosity of the fluid. The fluidic flowmeter can be a fluidic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is related to the fluid flow rate. The oscillator flowmeter also serves as an orifice, with the pressure drop across the oscillator being related to the density of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the viscosity range and/or oil grade of an actuating fluid in a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining a flow, pressure, and temperature of the actuating fluid, and responsively determining the viscosity range and/or oil grade of the actuating fluid.