Abstract: Fluid property sensors described herein may include a resonator configured to be immersed in a fluid or flowable medium and a vibrator coupled to the resonator, such that vibrations of the vibrator are transmitted to the resonator, e.g., to discourage and/or remove any buildup or deposits on the resonator and/or increase accuracy of the sensors. The frequency of the vibrator is configured to be substantially lower than the frequency of the resonator, such that operation of the resonator is not negatively affected. The vibrator may be located internal to, or external to, a chassis of the device.

Abstract: A fluid device includes: a flow path through which a fluid flows; and an ultrasonic wave transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to generate a standing wave to the fluid in the flow path along a first direction orthogonal to a flowing direction of the fluid. The ultrasonic wave transmitter is in contact with the fluid and faces an antinode region corresponding to any antinode in the standing wave.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid viscosity measuring device including a support structure having an opening part, the opening part penetrating the support structure in a first direction, a driving resonator fixed to the support structure and extending to overlap the opening part, and a detection resonator fixed to the support structure and extending parallel to the driving resonator, the detection resonator being spaced apart from the driving resonator in the first direction. The driving resonator includes a first piezoelectric body. The detection resonator includes a second piezoelectric body. The first piezoelectric body and the second piezoelectric body have the same shape.

Abstract: Measurement of pressure of a fluid in a vessel using a cantilever spring in the vessel; a magnet connected to the cantilever spring in the vessel; an electromagnet outside of the vessel operatively connected to the magnet and the cantilever spring in the vessel, wherein the electromagnet induces movement of the magnet and the cantilever spring in the vessel, and wherein the movement is related to the pressure of the fluid in the vessel; a receiving coil operatively positioned relative to the magnet, wherein movement of the cantilever spring and the magnet in the vessel creates an electromotive response in the coil; and a controller analyzer connected to the receiving coil, wherein the controller analyzer uses the electromotive response in the coil for measuring the pressure of the fluid in the vessel.

Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).

Abstract: A method establishes rheometric parameters of samples using a rotational rheometer. A thickness of a measurement gap delimited by measurement parts is measured by a measuring unit and a predetermined thickness value is adjusted, readjusted or kept constant when the measurement temperature is changed or set to a predetermined measurement temperature setpoint value. Accordingly, starting at a time at which at least one region of a measurement part has reached the predetermined measurement temperature, measurement values to be established, more particularly continuously, at predetermined measurement times and/or for predetermined time intervals delimited by predetermined measurement times, for the changing thickness of the measurement gap and/or for the rate of change in thickness or readjustment of thickness, and for the measurement of the rheological parameters only to be commenced once these measurement values have dropped below a specific predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).

Abstract: An apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring of a process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: A mechanically oscillatable unit; an exciting/receiving unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations and which receives the mechanical oscillations; and an electronics unit, which supplies the exciting/receiving unit with an electrical, output signal, and which receives from the exciting/receiving unit an electrical, input signal. In the electronics unit there is provided an amplifier unit, which amplifies the electrical, input signal to an amplified signal (SA). An adjustable phase shifter is provided, which changes the phase of the amplified signal, and a control unit is also provided, which controls the phase shifter, wherein the control unit measures the frequency of the amplified signal and controls the phase shifter starting from stored data concerning the frequency-phase dependence of the amplifier unit.

Abstract: Vibrating wire viscometers are disclosed. An example vibrating wire viscometer includes first and second electrically conductive tubes, where the first tube is at least partially inserted into the second tube, and where the first and second tubes are coupled via an electrically insulating bonding agent. The example viscometer further includes first and second electrically conductive pins inserted into respective ones of the first and second tubes, and an electrically conductive wire fastened to the first and second pins to vibrate in a downhole fluid to determine a viscosity of the downhole fluid.

Abstract: A device for detecting a property of a fluid includes a body region and a flexible element having a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly located on the body region. The flexible element is arranged to move from at least a first configuration to a second configuration via bending of the flexible element. The flexible element includes an actuating portion arranged to move the flexible element between the first configuration and the second configuration. The device also includes a movement detector for detecting movement of the flexible element.

Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).

Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).

Abstract: A device for detecting a property of a fluid includes a body region and a flexible element having a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly located on the body region. The flexible element is arranged to move from at least a first configuration to a second configuration via bending of the flexible element. The flexible element includes an actuating portion arranged to move the flexible element between the first configuration and the second configuration. The device also includes a movement detector for detecting movement of the flexible element.

Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).

Abstract: A symmetrical viscosity sensor for measuring the viscosity of fluids such as transmission oil or engine oil. Torsion oscillators are arranged symmetrically on both sides. The viscosity sensor includes a coupling shaft; a torsion oscillator coupled symmetrically to both ends of the coupling shaft; at least one insulator coupled to a center portion of said coupling shaft; a plurality of oscillation means arranged between each torsion oscillator and the insulator; a signal transmission/reception line for transmitting and receiving a driving and detection signal of said oscillation means; and a control unit for controlling said driving and detection signal via said signal transmission/reception line.

Abstract: Field device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container. The field device includes: at least one mechanically oscillatable unit connected with the container via a process connection; and at least one driver/receiver unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to oscillate, or detects the oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit, as the case may be.

Abstract: Viscometer (80) with a rotor (51) rotatable by a coupling magnet (34) and a driving magnet (38) to shear a tested fluid thus imparting torque to a bob (30) mounted on a bob shaft (24) supported via a pair of bob shaft bearings. A spiral spring (70) restricts the rotation of bob shaft (24). Magnetometer (10) measures the angular position of a top magnet (72) connected to the top of bob shaft (24). This angular position information is further converted to the viscosity of the tested fluid.

Abstract: A rheometer die with a groove configuration for reducing sample slippage in a rheometer chamber is provided. The rheometer die includes a surface and at least one radial groove extending into the surface. The groove defines at least a portion of a sample-holding chamber constructed to hold a sample. The groove may include a first zone and a second zone with a transition zone therebetween. The groove may also include a substantially wedge-shaped portion with sidewalls which taper generally towards the center of the rheometer die such that imaginary extensions of the sidewalls intersect before reaching the center of the die. A plurality of grooves may extend into the rheometer die. The rheometer die may be incorporated into a rheometer for testing process characteristics of a material.

Abstract: Viscometer (80) with a rotor (51) rotatable by a coupling magnet (34) and a driving magnet (38) to shear a tested fluid thus imparting torque to a bob (30) mounted on a bob shaft (24) supported via a pair of bob shaft bearings. A spiral spring (70) restricts the rotation of bob shaft (24). Magnetometer (10) measures the angular position of a top magnet (72) connected to the top of bob shaft (24). This angular position information is further converted to the viscosity of the tested fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling the shear rate at which an acoustic wave device measures viscosity, by utilizing an automatic level control or an automatic gain control circuit to control power input to the sensor as a function of the sensor's output power. Further improvement is provided by measuring the input power and combining the input power and output power measurements, preferably by averaging, to control the input power to the sensor. A method is also provided for characterizing the fluid under test by providing a set of viscosity measurements at various shear rates.

Abstract: Piezoelectric plates conduct bending vibrations and are axially symmetrical about the vibration shaft so the piezoelectric plates conduct a bending vibration, lower vibrating ends of the piezoelectric plates are rigidly connected to a vibration suppressing member and upper vibration ends of the piezoelectric plates are rigidly connected to the vibration shaft, an inner edge of each of the piezoelectric plates excluding the vibration connection part is free of the vibration shaft, a bending vibration at the lower vibrating end of each of the piezoelectric plates is suppressed on the vibration suppression connection part side and a bending vibration at the upper vibrating end is amplified and then applied to the vibration shaft and the liquid detecting element which is disposed at a lower end of the vibration shaft, through the vibration connection part, so that the liquid detecting element is vibrated in the circular direction in the measuring liquid.

Abstract: Viscometer (80) with a sample cup (42) rotatable by a pulley (26) and a timing belt (30) to shear a tested fluid thus imparting torque to a bob (44) mounted on a shaft (10) supported via a frictionless bearing (58), an optical distance sensor assembly (12) measures the distance to an arm (70) which is connected to the top of shaft (10). This distance information is further converted to the viscosity of the tested fluid.

Abstract: A device for measuring the viscosity and/or the density of a fluid using a resonator capable of mechanical vibrations. The resonator is capable of being brought into contact with the fluid. An oscillator circuit is also provided, wherein the oscillator circuit has a first feedback network and a second feedback network.

Abstract: Viscometer (80) with a sample cup (42) rotatable by a pulley (26) and a timing belt (30) to shear a tested fluid thus imparting torque to a bob (44) mounted on a shaft (10) supported via a frictionless bearing (58), an optical distance sensor assembly (12) measures the distance to an arm (70) which is connected to the top of shaft (10). This distance information is further converted to the viscosity of the tested fluid.

Abstract: A sensor of force or viscosity or other attributes of a fluid comprises a mechanical resonator (10) including an element (11; 18; 123) of which the stiffness at least partially determines a modal shape of the resonance of the resonator and means (21-23) for measuring a variation of a measure of the resonance as the stiffness of said element changes. The resonator (10) may comprise two beams (10a, 10b; 120, 121) connected at or near one end by a yoke (12; 122) which provides a clamped condition of the resonator at said one end and connected at or near another end by said element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a system for monitoring the evolution of the characteristics of a fluid circulating in a well (1) for example, wherein complex dynamic viscosity measurements are performed with a suitable detector (6) arranged on a line (5) through which said fluid circulates, so as to obtain a law of variation of the complex dynamic viscosity &eegr;* as a function of 2&pgr;f; a rheogram of the fluid, i.e. a law of variation of the viscosity &eegr; as a function of the shear ({dot over (&ggr;)}), is deduced therefrom; Va, Vp and YV are calculated from the rheogram; these stages are repeated after a predetermined time interval; the evolution of the characteristics of the fluid is deduced from these measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring the viscosity of a medium in a container, having a unit which can oscillate, having a drive/reception unit and having a control/evaluation unit, in which case the unit which can oscillate is arranged at a defined measurement position within the container and/or in which case a unit which can oscillate is fitted such that it is immersed as far as a defined immersion depth in the medium, and in which case the drive/reception unit excites the unit which can oscillate to oscillate and/or in which case the drive/reception unit receives the oscillations from the unit which can oscillate. The control/evaluation unit uses the frequency/phase curve (&phgr;=g(f)) of the unit which can oscillate to determine the viscosity (&eegr;) of the medium.

Abstract: A viscometer for measuring liquid viscosities based upon rotational deflections of a suspended bob. The viscometer comprises a deflection indicator, a deflection reader located at a spaced relative position with respect to the indicator, a rotating element which rotates in unison with the bob and includes either the deflection indicator or the deflection reader, and a magnetic bearing assembly which prevents any substantial change in the spaced, relative position of the deflection reader with respect to the deflection indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing polymeric samples is shown in which a polymer specimen is subjected to sinusoidal, oscillatory motion. The oscillatory motion is generated by the use of a continuously variable eccentric cam that is affixed to a drive shaft rotated by a motor. The amplitude of oscillation is determined by the eccentricity of the cam, and verified by measurement of angular deflection. The eccentricity of the cam can be altered, in one embodiment, through the manual manipulation of an adjustable nut, and, in another, automated embodiment, through the motion of the rotating motor. The eccentricity of the cam is continuously variable and can quickly be changed within a single test.

Abstract: Workstation, apparatuses and methods for the high-throughput synthesis, screening and/or characterization of combinatorial libraries. The invention relates to an array, which permits various high-throughput methods for synthesis, screening and/or characterization in the same array, without requiring sample transfer from the array. In a preferred embodiment, the synthesis, screening, and/or characterization steps are carried out in a highly parallel fashion, where more than one compound is synthesized, screened, and/or characterized at the same time. The invention may be practiced at the microscale. The array may comprise thermal channels, for regulating the temperature of the wells in the array. The wells of the array may comprise a membrane, which is used in various screening and characterization methods. The invention also relates to a covered array, comprising the array and an array cover, as well as an apparatus comprising the array, which comprises the array, an array cover and a stage.

Abstract: To measure characteristics of a non-Newtonian fluid, preferably blood, a non-magnetic container is provided for receiving the fluid. A magnetic body is contained in the container, and a winding is provided around the container. An AC current supplying device is connected to the winding for supplying input AC current of different amplitudes thereto to generate magnetic fields of different strengths in the container to cause the magnetic body to oscillate at different shear rates in the fluid. A measuring device is provided for measuring amplitude and/or phase of the oscillations of the magnetic body and a shear rate determining device is provided for determining the shear rates by measuring differences between the amplitude and/or phase of the oscillations of the magnetic body and the amplitude and phase of the input AC currents.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a base body 12 having a vibrating portion 14, a piezoelectric element 20 fixed onto one surface of the vibrating portion 14 and having a piezoelectric film 22 and a pair of electrodes 24a, 24b which are in contact with the piezoelectric film 22, a space 16 that allows a fluid to lead to the other surface of the vibrating portion 14, and introduction holes 18 that communicate with the space 16, and the sensor device 10 is in a longitudinal shape. A recess 15 which contains at least an opening end of the introduction hole 18 on the surface side of the sensor device 10 in its region and extends up to the rear end portion 10′ of the sensor device is formed on the surface of the sensor device 10 by a protrusion 13 disposed on the surface of said sensor device so as to extend substantially continuously from the periphery of the introduction holes 18 to the rear end portion 10′ of said sensor device.