Method and apparatus for investigating the mobility of a substance
US4164136A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 1977 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N11/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The state of mobility of a substance--e.g., the pour point of a liquid, is determined by disposing in or in contact with the substance a shear device at the bottom end of a substantially vertical elongate probe mounted for rotation about its vertical rotational axis. The probe is urged to a datum position by suitable means (e.g. a pair of magnets) and, intermittently, a rotational force is momentarily applied to the probe at its top end to cause rotation about the probe axis away from the datum position. If the probe rotates, because the mobility of the substance so permits, a member attached to the probe interupts a light path between a light source and a light sensor, giving rise to a signal indicative of the mobility of the substance. When there is no, or slow, rotation, the non-interruption of the light path over a selected time interval indicates a reduced mobility of the substance. The probe preferably has a temperature sensor at the bottom end for correlating mobility and temperature, and is preferably formed from a freely suspended upper part and a detachable/replaceable lower part. The two parts are mechanically and electrically connectable by a plug and socket type of con…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.