US4151744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the measurement and control of viscosity of slurries
Assignee: MD Research Co Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1978-01-05
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1998-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved method and apparatus for the measurement and control of the bulk properties of slurries is provided. The bulk properties are measured in the slurry while it is flowing downwards at a rate greater than the settling velocity of the discontinuous phase of the slurry.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Hemmings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N11/00; G01N9/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0324; Y10T137/0329; Y10T137/0335
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for the measurement of the bulk properties of a slurry comprising flowing the slurry downwards through a pipe or conduit of such cross sectional area relative to the slurry flow rate that the vertical components of the slurry phase velocities are significantly greater than the settling velocity of the discontinuous phase of the slurry; providing at the lower extremity of said pipe or conduit flowrate controlling means so that at all cross sections the pipe or conduit is always completely occupied by slurry, measuring one or more of the bulk properties of the slurry within a region of said downwardly flow slurry and transmitting signals from said measuring means related to the bulk properties measured and displaying and/or recording said signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for the measurement of the bulk properties of a slurry comprising flowing the slurry downwards through a pipe or conduit of such cross sectional area relative to the slurry flow rate that the vertical components of the slurry phase velocities are significantly greater than the settling velocity of the discontinuous phase of the slurry; providing at the lower extremity of said pipe or conduit flowrate controlling means so that at all cross sections the pipe or conduit is always completely occupied by slurry, measuring one or more of the bulk properties of the slurry within a region of said downwardly flow slurry and transmitting signals from said measuring means related to the bulk properties measured and displaying and/or recording said signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for the control of the bulk properties of a slurry comprising employing signals related to said properties derived according to the method of claim 1 to control automatically the means by which the slurry properties are determined or modified.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for the control of the bulk properties of a slurry comprising employing signals related to said properties derived according to the method of claim 1 to control manually the means by which the slurry properties are determined or modified.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for the measurement of the bulk properties of a slurry according to the method of claim 1 characterized by a substantially vertical conduit having an inlet at its upper end connectable to a feed hopper; a flow control valve at its lower end; and measuring means located within or adjacent to said conduit to measure the bulk properties of the slurry which flows between said hopper and said valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that said measuring means measures more than one bulk property.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that said measuring means comprises a viscometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus accoridng to claim 4 characterized in that said measuring means comprises a sensing device for slurry density.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that the flow control valve is in the form of an inflatable sac capable, when inflated, of exerting sealing contact with the interior of said conduit or, capable under partial inflation of providing a limited cross-sectional area between said sac and said conduit to permit the outflow of the slurry from said conduit to be controlled by means of a control fluid communicating with the interior of said sac.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that a pressure tapping is located adjacent to said measuring means in said conduit, said tapping controlling said flow valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that said measuring means is connected to a controller which regulates supply of slurry to said conduit in volumes depending on the bulk property of the slurry measured by said measuring means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that the apparatus is in combination with a slurry producing unit operating in closed circuit and also characterized in that said viscometer regulates feed of solids to said slurry producing unit and said density gauge regulates supply of water to said slurry producing unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized in that a pressure tapping is located adjacent said measuring means in said conduit, said tapping controlling said flow control valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized in that said measuring means is connected to a controller which regulates supply of slurry to said conduit in volumes depending on the bulk property of the slurry measured by said measuring means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized in that the apparatus is in combination with a slurry producing unit operating in closed circuit and also characterized in that said viscometer regulates feed of solids to said slurry producing unit and said density gauge regulates supply of water to said slurry producing unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |