Vibration Patents (Class 73/54.41)
  • Publication number: 20080156093
    Abstract: A density and viscosity sensor 1 for measuring density and viscosity of fluid F, the sensor 1 comprising a resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D arranged to be immersed in the fluid F, an actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B coupled to the resonating element, and a connector 7 for coupling to the actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B. The sensor 1 further comprises a housing 2 defining a chamber 8A isolated from the fluid F, the housing 2 comprising an area of reduced thickness defining a membrane 9 separating the chamber 8A from the fluid F. The actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B is positioned within the chamber so as to be isolated from the fluid F and mechanically coupled to the membrane 9. The resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D arranged to be immersed in the fluid F is mechanically coupled to the membrane 9. The membrane 9 has a thickness enabling transfer of mechanical vibration between the actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B and the resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Alfred Permuy, Eric Donzier
  • Patent number: 7383731
    Abstract: A cooking oil quality sensing apparatus and system includes an acoustic wave sensor composed of one or more acoustic wave transducers configured upon a piezoelectric substrate such that when the acoustic wave sensor is in contact with cooking oil, the sensor generates acoustic wave data indicative of the quality of the cooking oil. An antenna can be integrated with the acoustic wave sensor, such that the antenna receives data an external source and transmits the acoustic wave data indicative of the quality of the cooking oil to the external source. An oscillator can be integrated with the acoustic wave sensor, such that the output of the oscillator contains data indicative of the quality of the cooking oil. The acoustic wave sensor can be coated with a material that is selectively sensitive and/or reactive to one or more fatty acids associated with or contained in the cooking oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James Z T Liu, Steven J. Magee, James D. Cook
  • Publication number: 20080121042
    Abstract: The invention relates to fluid paths in etchable materials. Fluid paths are formed by forming a cavity through a substrate material with a first dry removal process to produce a first surface of the cavity. The first surface of the cavity is associated with a first roughness. The first surface of the cavity is etched with a second wet removal process to reduce the first roughness and produce a second roughness associated with the first surface of the cavity. A coating is applied to the first surface of the cavity to produce a second surface to improve wettability of the first or second surface of the cavity, reduce in size or number gas nucleation sites in the first or second surface of the cavity, reduce the amount of debris associated with the first roughness carried by the fluid flow, and/or improve hydrophilicity of the first or second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: BioScale, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Miller, Brett P. Masters, Martin Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080092637
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Jin Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 7360399
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a sample tank for collecting and quieting a volume fraction of the fluid to be measured. The sample tank is in communication, at least at times, with a fluid containment via a filling line (L1) and a supply line (L2) connected, at least at times, with the filling line. The apparatus further includes a fluid measuring device having a vibration-type measurement pickup. A measuring tube of the measurement pickup is caused to vibrate during operation. The measuring tube is connected, at least at times, with the sample tank via a connecting line (L3), which is connected to an inlet end of the measurement pickup. The apparatus of the invention is especially suited for measuring liquids which are charged with gas and/or which tend to outgas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Holger Schmidt, Wolfgang Drahm, Hubert Koch
  • Patent number: 7357016
    Abstract: A process and a device for determining the viscosity of a fluid are proposed. Very simple and accurate determination is enabled in that the magnetic particles in the fluid are set into vibration by a magnetic field which varies over time. A measurement of the amplitude and/or phase of particle vibration is used to determine the viscosity or an associated quantity, such as the coagulation of blood or the glucose content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim microParts GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Kurowski, Christian Schoen, Ralf-Peter Peters, Holger Bartos, Ying Yu
  • Patent number: 7350367
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a fluid in an environmental control system includes a mechanical resonator positioned for contacting a thermal change fluid. In some embodiments, the mechanical resonator is positioned in a passage for containing the thermal change fluid. Suitable thermal change fluids include an R-134A refrigerant, a mineral oil, an ester lubricant or a mixture thereof; a superheated refrigerant; or an elevated pressure and elevated temperature vapor, an elevated pressure liquid, a reduced pressure liquid, a reduced pressure vapor and combinations thereof. The mechanical resonator can be a flexural resonator or a torsion resonator. In some embodiments, the mechanical resonator is a tuning fork resonator. Methods of the invention include monitoring a response of the mechanical resonator to the thermal change fluid. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the mechanical resonator is translated through the thermal change fluid and the response of the resonator to the fluid is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Visyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, Oleg Kolosov, Mark D. Uhrich, William Rust, John M. Feland, III, John F. Varni, Blake Walker
  • Patent number: 7334452
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring a fluid composition include placing a mechanical resonator in the fluid composition and oscillating the resonator. The resonator can be a tuning fork resonator having tines oscillated in opposite directions and in opposite phases. A variable frequency input signal can be varied over a predetermined frequency range and oscillate the mechanical resonator at less than 1 MHz. A frequency-dependent resonator response curve can be stored in a computer memory and fitted to a model curve to monitor the fluid. The resonator can be coated with a protective coating. The resonator can be treated with a functionality designed to change a resonance frequency of the resonator after being exposed to a selected target chemical and the resonance frequency monitored to detect presence of the target chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Visyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Patent number: 7254990
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing one or more properties of a vehicle fluid has a tuning fork resonator adapted to contact the fluid. The tuning fork resonator comprises two tines and is operable to oscillate so that the two tines move in opposite phase at a frequency of less than 1 MHz while contacting the fluid to generate a resonator response indicative of one or more properties of the fluid. In another aspect, a sensor includes a substrate and a flexural resonator on the substrate and adapted to contact the fluid. Circuitry for operation of the resonator is on the substrate. The resonator is adapted to receive an input signal and to oscillate while contacting the fluid to generate a resonator response indicative of one or more properties of the fluid. One suitable application for the invention is monitoring the condition of a vehicle engine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Visyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Daniel M. Pinkas, Mikhail Spitkovsky, Oleg Kolosov, Shenheng Guan, Mark Uhrich, G. Cameron Dales, John F. Varni, Blake Walker, Vladimir Gammer, Dave Padowitz, Eric Low
  • Patent number: 7228728
    Abstract: The inventive method uses the ultrasound Doppler method (UVP) in order to determine a local velocity profile perpendicular to a line for a fluid which flows through said line, carrying suspended or emulsified particles. The wall shear stress of said fluid is measured locally within the range of said local velocity profile. Specific rheological parameters of the flowing fluid thus examined, e.g. viscosity function (shear viscosity), flow limit etc., can be determined from the local velocity profile and the local wall shear stress associated therewith. A suitable model is adapted by iteratively adapting a model-based theoretic velocity profile to a measured velocity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Boris Ouriev, Erich Josef Windhab
  • Patent number: 7219537
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Vectron International, a division of Dover Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C Andle
  • Patent number: 7219536
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting oil quality. The quality of engine oil can be determined utilizing an acoustic wave sensor to obtain viscosity and corrosivity data associated with the engine oil. The acoustic wave sensor is coated with a material that selectively reacts to at least one type of an acid in order to provide data indicative of the presence of the acids in the engine oil. The etch rate or the corrosivity of the engine oil can be determined based on the frequency data obtained as a result of the frequency measurement utilizing the acoustic wave sensor. The viscosity of the engine oil can additionally be obtained based on a measurement of phase and amplitude obtained from the data utilizing the acoustic wave sensor. The etch rate and the viscosity measurement provide data indicative of the quality of the engine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James Z T Liu, Michael L. Rhodes, Aziz Rahman
  • Patent number: 7207211
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measurement of mass of small sample sizes. The method and apparatus is particularly adapted for providing microbalance measurement of solid materials as part of a combinatorial research program. The method and apparatus contemplate monitoring the response of a resonator holding a sample and correlating the response with mass change in the samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Carlson, Oleg Kolosov, Leonid Matsiev
  • Patent number: 7204129
    Abstract: An ultrasound system determines the presence of a foreign object in a container of fluid by measuring echo signals from the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the container. The amplitude of the echo signals are compared to determine the presence of an object in the container. The system also determines viscosity of the contained fluid by measuring a through-transmission time through the container and the fluid, measuring an outer echo transmission time of an outer echo signal from the outer surface of the container and an inner echo transmission time of an inner echo signal from the inner surface of the container, and determining a time difference between the outer echo transmission time and the inner surface transmission time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: l M International Corporation
    Inventors: Otman Adam Basir, Bosen Zhao, Gauri Mittal
  • Patent number: 7201041
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator is immersed in a liquid, an AC signal is applied, and a local maximum of the conductance is determined. A frequency change due to the viscosity effect is determined from two frequencies of three frequencies including a resonance frequency that is applied at that local maximum, and first and second half-value frequencies at which a half-value conductance of half that local maximum is given. The influence of the mass effect can be eliminated, so that an accurate measurement of the viscosity change is possible. Moreover, if the substance to be analyzed that is contained in the liquid adheres to a reaction film of the piezoelectric resonator, the mass of the piezoelectric resonator changes, and the second half-value frequency is measured. It is thus possible to derive only the influence of the mass effect, since the half-value frequencies are not influenced by the viscosity effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ulvac Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Itoh, Motoko Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 7191638
    Abstract: A device for determining and/or monitoring at least one physical parameter of a medium, having at least one mechanically oscillatable unit and at least one drive-/receive unit. The drive-/receive unit excites the oscillatable unit to oscillate, or, it receives the oscillations of the oscillatable unit, as the case may be. The invention includes that in the drive-/receive unit at least one piezo-drive is provided, which has at least one exterior surface. The exterior surface is composed of at least two segments of different polarization, wherein the directions of polarization are directed essentially opposite to one another. The mechanically oscillatable unit is directly or indirectly connected with the exterior surface, so that the mechanically oscillatable unit is excited to a movement, or so that the movement of the mechanically oscillatable unit is received. The movement always has at least two different force components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Sergej Lopatin
  • Patent number: 7191639
    Abstract: An on-chip coil is provided in a micromachined device for magnetic actuation of a nanoelectromechanical microcantilever. The novel geometry involves a three dimensional solenoid or planar coil carrying high current that generates a large enough magnetic field in its close proximity to a permalloy thin film patch or columnar magnet disposed on the distal end of the piezoresistive microcantilever to effectively interacts with the magnetic thin film deposited on the microcantilever. The device comprises an effective actuators which can be integrated with biofunctionalized cantilever arrays in hybrid semiconductor-microfluidics devices for the analysis and detection of biological analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hongxing Tang, Michael L. Roukes
  • Patent number: 7181957
    Abstract: A method for controlling the shear rate at which an acoustic wave device measures viscosity by calculating the shear rate as a function of the characteristic rate of quartz movement in response to a given input transducer power level and the viscosity of the fluid and then by adjusting the input transducer power level to obtain the desired shear rate for the viscosity measurement by optimizing the power level. Related aspects of the invention provide for methods for characterizing viscoelastic fluids at a plurality of predetermined shear rates using a plurality of optimized power levels, a plurality of sensor designs, or a plurality of both optimized power levels and sensor designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Biode Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Andle
  • Patent number: 7162918
    Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole method and apparatus using a flexural mechanical resonator, for example, a tuning fork to provide real-time direct measurements and estimates of the viscosity, density and dielectric constant of formation fluid or filtrate in a hydrocarbon producing well. The present invention additionally provides a method and apparatus for monitoring cleanup from a leveling off of viscosity or density over time, measuring or estimating bubble point for formation fluid, measuring or estimating dew point for formation fluid, and determining the onset of asphaltene precipitation. The present invention also provides for intercalibration of plural pressure gauges used to determine a pressure differential downhole. A hard or inorganic coating is placed on the flexural mechanical resonator (such as a tuning fork) to reduce the effects of abrasion from sand particles suspended in the flowing fluid in which the flexural mechanical resonator is immersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Arnold Walkow, Paul Bergren, Peter W. Reittinger
  • Patent number: 7162915
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 7114373
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the viscosity and temperature of a fluid, for example an engine oil, comprises a transducer, which is arranged to vibrate when provided with a drive signal to produce an ultrasonic shear wave; an impedance matching layer that is inserted into the fluid and which couples at least a portion of the ultrasonic waves produced by the transducer into the fluid and from which at least a portion of the wave is reflected back to the transducer; a detector which is adapted to detect a measurement signal produced by the transducer when the reflected wave is incident upon the transducer; a control circuit which varies the frequency of the drive signal applied to the transducer and hence the frequency of the ultrasound signal; a processing means which determines the optimum frequency of the drive signal at which the measurement signal output from the transducer has its minimum amplitude; and a temperature determining means which estimates the temperature of the fluid as a function of the optimum
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Roger John Hazelden, Kimberley Patrick Fraser Smith
  • Patent number: 7111500
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator is immersed in a liquid, an AC signal is applied, and a local maximum of the conductance is determined. A frequency change due to the viscosity effect is determined from two frequencies of three frequencies including a resonance frequency that is applied at that local maximum, and first and second half-value frequencies at which a half-value conductance of half that local maximum is given. The influence of the mass effect can be eliminated, so that an accurate measurement of the viscosity change is possible. Moreover, if the substance to be analyzed that is contained in the liquid adheres to a reaction film of the piezoelectric resonator, the mass of the piezoelectric resonator changes, and the second half-value frequency is measured. It is thus possible to derive only the influence of the mass effect, since the half-value frequencies are not influenced by the viscosity effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: ULVAC Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Itoh, Motoko Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 7073370
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator can be covered with a coating to impart additional special detection propertied to the resonator, and multiple resonators can be attached together as a single sensor to obtain multiple frequency responses. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening. In one embodiment, the resonator is operated at a frequency of less than 1 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Patent number: 7059176
    Abstract: A method and device for assessing the viscosity of a fluid. The method and device utilize a tube with a vibrating freestanding portion into which the fluid is introduced, and relies on sensing the influence that the fluid has on the vibrational movement of the tube to assess the viscosity of the fluid. For this purpose, the freestanding portion is preferably driven at or near a resonant frequency, movement of the freestanding portion is sensed, and the viscosity of a fluid within the tube is assessed by ascertaining the damping effect the fluid has on movement of the freestanding portion at or near the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Ray Sparks
  • Patent number: 7055377
    Abstract: A quartz crystal sensor cell in which the sensor is secured to the base of a well defining a test sample space by a layer of adhesive between the respective peripheral surfaces. Also a quartz crystal sensor cell is provided in which the quartz sensor crystal is inclined relative to the opposite surface of the test sample space. These constructions respectively improve distinctness of the “Q” peak and problems from reflected waves in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Akubio Limited
    Inventors: Frank Paul, Karl Pavey, Richard C Payne
  • Patent number: 7043969
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a fluid contained within a machine, comprising the steps of providing a machine including a passage for containing a fluid; placing a sensor including a mechanical resonator in the passage; operating the resonator to have a portion thereof translate through the fluid; and monitoring the response of the resonator to the fluid in the passage. A preferred sensor includes a tuning fork resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Daniel M. Pinkas, Mikhail Spitkovsky, Oleg Kolosov, Shenheng Guan, Mark Uhrich, G. Cameron Dales, John F. Varni, Blake Walker, Vladimir Gammer, Dave Padowitz, Eric Low
  • Patent number: 7036355
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 7024917
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer is in contact with a near wall that has a much different acoustic impedance than a fluid. The transducer transmits an acoustic pulse into into the wall (such as a plate, a wall of a tube or a wall of a sample chamber) that is in contact with this fluid. As the acoustic pulse bounces back and forth within this “near wall”, each echo of this original pulse loses the same fraction of energy on each round trip so the echo energy decays exponentially. Knowing the acoustic impedance of the wall material and the reflection intensity at the transducer/wall interface (which is obtained when using air as the fluid), it is possible to calculate the acoustic impedance of an unknown fluid from the slope of a plot of the logarithm of echo energy versus echo number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 7017424
    Abstract: To conduct a fluid, the transducer has a flow tube which in operation is vibrated by an excitation assembly and whose inlet-side and outlet-side vibrations are sensed by means of a sensor arrangement. To produce shear forces in the fluid, the flow tube is at least intermittently excited into torsional vibrations about a longitudinal flow-tube axis. The transducer further comprises a torsional vibration absorber which is fixed to the flow tube and which in operation covibrates with the torsionally vibrating flow tube, thus producing reactive torques which at least partially balance torques developed in the vibrating flow tube. One of the advantages of the transducer disclosed is that it is dynamically balanced to a large extent even in the face of variations in fluid density or viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7017394
    Abstract: Osmolarity measurement of a sample fluid, such as tear film, is achieved by depositing an aliquot-sized sample on a sample receiving substrate. The sample fluid is placed on a sample region of the substrate. Energy is imparted to the sample fluid and energy properties of the fluid can be detected to produce a sample fluid reading that indicates osmolarity of the sample fluid. An aliquot-sized volume can comprise, for example, a volume of no more than 20 microliters (?L). The aliquot-sized sample volume can be quickly and easily obtained, even from dry eye sufferers. The imparted energy can comprise electrical, optical or thermal energy. In the case of electrical energy, the energy property of the sample fluid can comprise electrical conductivity. In the case of optical energy, the energy property can comprise fluorescence. In the case of thermal energy, the measured property can be the freezing point of the sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7010963
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: CBC Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Miura
  • Patent number: 7007546
    Abstract: A method for measuring viscosity and shear rate at which the measurement is performed is provided, by utilizing an acoustic wave sensor, and calculating the shear rate as a function of the characteristic rate of quartz movement in response to a given power transmitted to a fluid, and the viscosity of the fluid. Related aspects of the invention provide for methods for controlling the shear rate at which a viscosity measurement is performed, and characterizing viscoelastic fluids at a plurality of shear rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Biode Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Andle
  • Patent number: 6957565
    Abstract: A method for measuring properties of a fluid that includes oscillating a tuning fork resonator in a fluid. The invention is particularly suitable for in-line monitoring of various physical and electrical properties of fluids flowing in a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: SYMYX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Patent number: 6955787
    Abstract: An array of piezoelectric resonators used in a sensor device in order to identify chemical and biological agents. The resonators can operate as bulk acoustic wave (BAW), surface acoustic wave (SAW), or Love mode devices. The sensor device integrates gravimetric, calorimetric, thermal gravimetric, voltage gravimetric and optical detection methods into one sensor system, improving the accuracy of identifying hazardous agents. For gravimetric detection, dual-mode resonators provide simultaneous calorimetric and gravimetric data, one type from each mode. Resonators with heaters on the surfaces will provide thermal gravimetric data. An optical detector can be used to analyze the optical signal from the surface of a coated resonator. Additionally, voltage gravimetric measurements can be made with an electric field set up between the resonator and an external electrode. Thermal voltage gravimetric measurements can be made by adding an integrated heater on the resonator with an external electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: William Paynter Hanson
  • Patent number: 6951128
    Abstract: A method for determination of the extensional rheological properties of a liquid comprises application to a sample of liquid in a closed system of a pulsed oscillatory alternating flow in a geometry creating an extension flow surrounding a stagnation point and measuring the pressure drop in the liquid across the stagnation point. The alternating displacement may be applied from the ends of each limb in a given direction simultaneously, thereby providing symmetrical flow. The method may be carried out on very small sample volumes of dilute polymer solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: University of Bristol
    Inventors: Jeffrey Arthur Odell, Stephen Paul Carrington
  • Patent number: 6945094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of determining the rheological properties of a polymer flowing in a conduit. The invention provides a method of characterising a polymer under test, comprising: Detecting acoustic emissions from said polymer flowing in a conduit to provide acoustic emission data, comparing the acoustic emissions data obtained against acoustic emission data from a polymer, or a series of polymers, of known characteristics, and thereby characterising the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Svein Eggen, Kim Esbensen, Mats Halstensen
  • Patent number: 6945089
    Abstract: In a mass-sensitive sensor consisting of an acoustic surface wave component on the basis of shear waves, the sensor includes a substrate with an active surface carrying two different layers, one which is a parylene layer of a thickness of between 0.2 and <1.6 ?m, which has been produced on the substrate by a vacuum-based deposition method and is capable of generating Love waves and the second layer forms a utilization layer, which interacts with an analyte disposed in a medium contacting the utilization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Nicole Barie, Ulrich Stahl, Michael Rapp
  • Patent number: 6938462
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Jakoby, Johannes Artzner
  • Patent number: 6938470
    Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole method and apparatus using a flexural mechanical resonator, for example, a tuning fork to provide real-time direct measurements and estimates of the viscosity, density and dielectric constant of formation fluid or filtrate in a hydrocarbon producing well. The present invention additionally provides a method and apparatus for monitoring cleanup from a leveling off of viscosity or density over time, measuring or estimating bubble point for formation fluid, measuring or estimating dew point for formation fluid, and determining the onset of asphaltene precipitation. The present invention also provides for intercalibration of plural pressure gauges used to determine a pressure differential downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Arnold Walkow, Paul Bergren
  • Patent number: 6935164
    Abstract: In the present invention a refiner (108) of a mechanical pulping line is supplied with a controllable acoustic source (14), arranged for emitting acoustic signals into the pulp fluid. The controllable acoustic signal is allowed to interact with the fibres in the pulp, and the acoustic (pressure) signals resulting from such an interaction is measured. At least one spectral component is measured. The measured spectral component is used to predict properties, content and/or size of the fibres. These properties may then be used to control the refiner (108) process. The used acoustic signal has preferably a wavelength that is large compared with a typical site of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Thomas Liljenberg, Stefan Backa, Lennart Thegel
  • Patent number: 6925856
    Abstract: A non-contact method for measuring viscosity and surface tension information of a liquid in a first liquid containment structure. The steps of the method include oscillating a free surface of the liquid in the liquid containment structure; detecting wave characteristics of the oscillating free surface; and analyzing the wave characteristics. The oscillating step may be performed by propagating an acoustic wave from an acoustic wave emitter, through said liquid containment structure, towards the free surface. The detecting step may be performed by delivering a series of acoustic pulses at the free surface and detecting acoustic reflections from the free surface as the oscillating free surface relaxes. The analyzing step can be performed by comparing the wave characteristics with a candidate liquid wave characteristics. Prior knowledge and behavior of the selected candidate liquid can thus be imputed to the source or sample liquid. The sample liquid can be one of photoresist, solder or a biological compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: EDC Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger O. Williams
  • Patent number: 6904786
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator's response over the frequency range depends on various characteristics of the liquid being tested, such as the temperature, viscosity, and other physical properties. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Patent number: 6877362
    Abstract: A method and a device evaluate a processability of a viscoelastic material. A measuring step and means measure a complex viscosity modulus ?* and two complex elasticity moduli G*1, G*2 in respective two shear ranges with different shear speeds, by the following: varying a vibration frequency and a vibration amplitude at a given temperature range, and controlling a shear stress applied to the viscoelastic material which is mixed under a given mixing condition. The shear stress causes a reactive stress. The complex viscosity modulus ?* and the two complex elasticity moduli G*1, G*2 are measured based on the reactive stress. A first operation operates an apparent activation energy Ea by the following: ?*=A·exp(Ea/RT) where T is temperature, R is gas constant, ?* is complex viscosity modulus. A second operation operates a complex elasticity modulus change ratio G*r, a ratio between the two complex elasticity moduli G*1, G*2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kinugawa Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Manaka, Ryoko Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6848299
    Abstract: An analytical apparatus, such as a quartz crystal microbalance, comprises a piezoelectric sensor and an oscillator circuit, coupled to the sensor, to oscillate at a frequency substantially determined by a resonant frequency of the sensor, and to provide an output signal at the oscillator frequency at an output. The oscillator circuit maintains a substantially constant drive signal to the piezoelectric sensor by an AGC (33) within a feedback loop of the oscillator. The gain control signal is used as an indication of the Q of the piezoelectric sensor. The drive signal to the sensor is made substantially sinusoidal by ensuring that all the elements in the feedback loop providing signal gain and attenuation are configured to operate in a substantially linear mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Akubio Limited
    Inventors: Frank Paul, Karl Pavey, Richard C Payne
  • Patent number: 6840109
    Abstract: To conduct a fluid, the transducer has a flow tube which in operation vibrated by an excitation assembly. Inlet-side and outlet-side vibrations of the flow tube are sensed by means of a sensor arrangement. To produce shear forces in the fluid, the flow tube is at least intermittently excited into torsional vibrations about a longitudinal flow-tube axis. An internal portion of the transducer, formed at least by the flow tube, an antivibrator, the sensor arrangement, and the excitation assembly and mounted at least on the inlet and outlet tube sections, has a centroid which is located inside the flow tube. The transducer is suitable for use in viscometers or Coriolis mass flowmeter-viscometers. In spite of using only a single straight flow tube, it is dynamically well balanced in operation, and the development of bending moments by the torsionally vibrating flow tube is largely prevented. This also effectively prevents the transducer case or the connected pipe from being excited into sympathetic vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20040255648
    Abstract: A method and device for assessing the viscosity of a fluid. The method and device utilize a tube with a vibrating freestanding portion into which the fluid is introduced, and relies on sensing the influence that the fluid has on the vibrational movement of the tube to assess the viscosity of the fluid. For this purpose, the freestanding portion is preferably driven at or near a resonant frequency, movement of the freestanding portion is sensed, and the viscosity of a fluid within the tube is assessed by ascertaining the damping effect the fluid has on movement of the freestanding portion at or near the resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Ray Sparks
  • Publication number: 20040200268
    Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X&eegr;) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube (13) for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly (16), the flow tube (13) is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics (50) which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly (16). By means of the meter electronics (50), 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 (50), which then determine the viscosity value (X&eegr;) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 6763698
    Abstract: A system and technique for determining fluid properties includes an ultrasonic transducer 30 on a first surface 42 of a solid member 40. An opposed second surface 44 of the member 40 is in contact with a fluid 25 to be monitored. A longitudinal ultrasonic pulse is delivered through the solid member, and a multiplicity of pulse echoes caused by reflections of the ultrasonic pulse between the solid-fluid interface and the transducer-solid interface are detected and processed by a processing apparatus 22. The apparatus 22 determines the decay rate of the detected echo amplitude as a function of echo number and compares this value to a calibrated decay rate to determine an acoustic property of the fluid. The speed of ultrasound in the fluid is also determined and the fluid density is determined as a function of the speed of ultrasound and the determined acoustic property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Margaret Stautberg Greenwood
  • Patent number: 6755073
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring the viscosity of a fluid, which has an oscillator. The oscillator is dipped into the fluid. The surface of the oscillator is provided with a dirt-repellent coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Jakoby, Matthias Buskies
  • Publication number: 20040112121
    Abstract: A method and device for monitoring and controlling a pharmaceutical, chemical or food process, in which the bio-logical activity and/or the bio-mass of micro-organisms in the process is monitored, and in which the state of the process is detected by monitoring viscosity and/or aggregate size and/or content of a dispersion of proteins, crystalline particles or fat droplets that are processed, respectively. The micro-organisms and/or bio-molecules produced in the process, and the proteins, crystals particles or fat droplets being processed are monitored by means of acoustic spectroscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Anna Kornfeldt, Thomas Liljenberg, Stefan Backa, Caludio Pecorari, Eva Lundberg