Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A rheometer (10) comprising: a central cylinder (14) having an axis (16), a first end (18) and a second end (20); a tube (24) having a cylindrical bore (26), said bore (26) being slightly larger than said cylinder (14) and being positioned thereabout and coaxial therewith, said tube (24) having a first open end (28) and a second open end (30) aligned toward, respectively, said first end (18) and said second end (20) of said cylinder (14); a loading cup (44) having a first end portion (46), a second end portion (48), an interior cylindrical opening (50) larger than said bore (26) and extending from said first end portion (46) toward said second end portion (48), said first end portion (46) of said cup (44) being detachably attachable to said second open end (30) of said tube (24) with said cylindrical opening (50) generally coaxial with said bore (26); axial moving means (34) for controllably axially moving said tube (24) relative to said cylinder (14); and measuring means (84) for measuring instantaneous force exerted on said cylinder (14) as said tube (24) moves axially.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A rheometer (10) comprising: a central cylinder (14) having an axis (16), a first end (18) and a second end (20); a tube (24) having a cylindrical bore (26), said bore (26) being slightly larger than said cylinder (14) and being positioned thereabout and coaxial therewith, said tube (24) having a first open end (28) and a second open end (30) aligned toward, respectively, said first end (18) and said second end (20) of said cylinder (14); a loading cup (44) having a first end portion (46), a second end portion (48), an interior cylindrical opening (50) larger than said bore (26) and extending from said first end portion (46) toward said second end portion (48), said first end portion (46) of said cup (44) being detachably attachable to said second open end (30) of said tube (24) with said cylindrical opening (50) generally coaxial with said bore (26); axial moving means (34) for controllably axially moving said tube (24) relative to said cylinder (14); and measuring means (84) for measuring instantaneous force exerted on said cylinder (14) as said tube (24) moves axially.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
A rheometer (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said axial moving means (34) includes a test closure (68) having a first end region (70), a second end region (72), an interior cylindrical cavity (74) larger than said bore (26) and extending from said first end region (70) toward said second end region (72), said first end region (70) of said closure (68) being detachably attachable to said second open end (30) of said tube (24) with said cylindrical cavity (74) generally coaxial with said bore (26) when said first end portion (46) of said cup (44) is detached from said second open end (30) of said tube (24), said closure (68) including a pressure relief hole (76) therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A rheometer (10) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second open end (30) of said tube (24) includes an outwardly extending mounting flange (32), said first end portion (46) of said cup (44) includes an outwardly extending first matching flange (56) adapted to be fastened to said mounting flange (32), and said first end region (70) of said closure (68) includes an outwardly extending second matching flange (82) adapted to be fastened to said mounting flange (32).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A rheometer (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second open end (30) of said tube (24) includes an outwardly extending mounting flange (32), said first end portion (46) of said cup (44) includes an outwardly extending first matching flange (56) adapted to be fastened to said mounting flange (32).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rheometer (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said axial moving means (34) comprise a hydraulic motor (36) and fastening means (38) for connecting the hydraulic motor (34) to drive the tube (24).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rheometer (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said measuring means (84) comprise a load cell (86) in force conducting relation to said first end (18) of said cylinder (14).