Patent · US Expired

Noncontact on-line measurement of the viscosity of liquid paint

US5005401A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
3References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 12, 1990
Grant dateApr 9, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 12, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N11/00
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of the viscosity of a liquid such as paint. In accordance with the method and apparatus, the surface of a liquid is perturbed with a standing wave of predetermined wavelength. This perturbation is effected by directing a burst of air against the surface of the liquid using periodically spaced air nozzles. The frequency and rate of decay of the induced surface wave is measured using typically optical means including a reflected light beam. The measured frequency and decay rate are combined with the known depth of the liquid sample in a computing circuit to provide a measurement of fluid viscosity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.