US3839901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for measuring viscosity
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-11-17
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract Viscosity of a fluid is determined relative to that of other fluids by treating the fluid with a plurality of symmetrical particles having a molecular lattice that is insoluble in the fluid. The initial swelling or contracting of the particles, in terms of pressure or volume change, provides an indication of the free energy of the fluid. Thereafter, any further increase in the particle volume at constant pressure or increase in particle pressure at constant particle volume, during constant volume flow of the fluid through the voids between the particles, is directly proportional to the viscosity of the fluid relative to the viscosity of a standard fluid treated with the same particles.
Inventors
- 👤 E Finkle
- 👤 J Patterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid relative to other fluids comprising providing a chamber having a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; contacting the particles with said fluid to swell or contract the particles in relation to the activity of the fluid; initially determining the volume occupied by the fluid-contacted particles, subjecting said particles to a constant volume of fluid flow while measuring the change in volume in said particles, said change in volume being directly proportional to the viscosity of the fluid relative to said other fluids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid relative to other fluids comprising providing a chamber having a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; contacting the particles with said fluid to swell or contract the particles in relation to the activity of the fluid; initially determining the volume occupied by the fluid-contacted particles, subjecting said particles to a constant volume of fluid flow while measuring the change in volume in said particles, said change in volume being directly proportional to the viscosity of the fluid relative to said other fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid relative to the free energy of other fluids in accordance with claim 1 wherein said particles are symmetrical and said measuring of the change in particle volume is executed while maintaining a constant pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said particles are spherical and formed from a substantially hysteresis-free cross-linked polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said polymer is a cross-linked copolymer of a polyvinyl aryl compound and a monovinyl aryl compound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said copolymer is formed from divinyl benzene and styrene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said polymer contains fixed ionic groups and the fluid is water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said polymer is free from fixed ionic groups and the fluid is an organic liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 and including the steps of contacting said particles with fluid substantially free from solute prior to the initial determination of volume in an amount sufficient to eliminate the effect of any previously used fluids and solutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluid contains solute and constitutes an unknown entity, and including steps of compAring the measured change in volume of the unknown solute-containing fluid with the change in volume of a known fluid in the same environment to determine information about the unknown fluid that is proportional to the free energy thereof.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid relative to other fluids comprising providing a chamber having a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; contacting the particles with said fluid to swell or contract the particles in relation to the activity of the fluid; initially determining the pressure of the fluid-contacted particles relative to the chamber, subjecting said particles to a constant volume of fluid flow while measuring the change in pressure of said particles, said change in pressure being directly proportional to the viscosity of the fluid relative to said other fluids.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid relative to other fluids comprising providing a chamber having a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; contacting the particles with said fluid to swell or contract the particles in relation to the activity of the fluid; initially determining the pressure of the fluid-contacted particles relative to the chamber, subjecting said particles to a constant volume of fluid flow while measuring the change in pressure of said particles, said change in pressure being directly proportional to the viscosity of the fluid relative to said other fluids.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid relative to other fluids in accordance with claim 10 wherein said particles are symmetrical and said measuring of the change in pressure is executed while maintaining a constant volume.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said particles are spherical and formed from a substantially hysteresis-free cross-linked polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said polymer is a cross-linked copolymer of a polyvinyl aryl compound and a monovinyl aryl compound.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said copolymer is formed from divinyl benzene and styrene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said polymer contains fixed ionic groups and the fluid is water.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said polymer is free from fixed ionic groups and said fluid is an organic liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 and including the steps of contacting said particles with fluid substantially free from solute prior to the initial determination of pressure in an amount sufficient to eliminate the effect of any previously used fluids and solutes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fluid contains solute and constitutes an unknown entity, and including the steps of comparing the measured change in pressure of the unknown solute-containing fluid with the change in pressure of a known fluid in the same environment to determine information about the unknown fluid that is proportional to the free energy thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for obtaining a measurement proportional to change in the viscosity of a fluid comprising: a chamber containing a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; inlet and outlet means communicating with said chamber for flowing fluid into and out of contact with said particles; constant volume feed means for flowing said fluid through said chamber; and means for measuring changes in volume of said particles at a constant pressure caused by first solvating said particles with said fluid and thereafter flowing said fluid therethrough at constant volume.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for obtaining a measurement proportional to change in the viscosity of a fluid comprising: a chamber containing a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; inlet and outlet means communicating with said chamber for flowing fluid into and out of contact with said particles; constant volume feed means for flowing said fluid through said chamber; and means for measuring changes in volume of said particles at a constant pressure caused by first solvating said particles with said fluid and thereafter flowing said fluid therethrough at constant volume.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said chamber contains a plurality of spherical particles formed from a cross-linked copolymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said copolymer is formed from divinyl benzene and styrene.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said means for measuring changes in said particles comprises: a chamber open to the atmosphere for maintaining constant pressure therein; said chamber and particles selected so that the particles substantially fill said chamber; said chamber including a movable member in contact with the surface of the particles; said movable member being adapted to move while remaining in contact with said particles as they swell or contract when contacted with a solvating fluid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein said chamber is cylindricaL and said movable member functions as a piston within said chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid comprising: a chamber containing a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; inlet and outlet means communicating with said chamber for flowing fluid into and out of contact with said particles; constant volume feed means for flowing said fluid through said chamber; and means for measuring changes in pressure of said particles relative to the internal surfaces of said chamber at constant particle volume caused by first solvating said particles with said fluid and thereafter flowing said fluid therethrough at constant volume.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for obtaining a measurement proportional to the viscosity of a fluid comprising: a chamber containing a plurality of particles, each having a molecular lattice that is swellable but not soluble in said fluid; inlet and outlet means communicating with said chamber for flowing fluid into and out of contact with said particles; constant volume feed means for flowing said fluid through said chamber; and means for measuring changes in pressure of said particles relative to the internal surfaces of said chamber at constant particle volume caused by first solvating said particles with said fluid and thereafter flowing said fluid therethrough at constant volume.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein said chamber comprises a hollow Bourdon type tube and said movable member comprises a floating retention head on one end of said Bourdon type tube.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein said means for measuring changes in said particles comprises: a chamber having movable member forming two compartments in the chamber, said particles filling the first of said compartments and a source of gas under controlled pressure being connected to the second of said compartments; swelling and contracting of said particles tending to move said movable member which in turn tends to compress or expand, respectively, the gas in said second compartment.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein said chamber contains a plurality of spherical particles formed from a cross-linked copolymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein said copolymer is formed from divinyl benzene and styrene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3479864A
Cited
US3439529A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |