System and method for rheological characterization of granular materials
US6971262B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/0096
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for characterizing rheological properties of granular material. A cylindrical measurement cup containing granular material is subject to a uniform vibration induced by a vibration exciter at a user-determined frequency. At the same time, a rotation or an oscillation of a rotating vane tool is performed within the powder and a response measured. Baffles are affixed to the inner wall of the measurement cup to prevent slippage of the granular material during measurement. An energy imparted to the system from the vibration exciter can be measured by an accelerometer coupled to the measurement cup. When sufficient vibrational energy is supplied to the system, a powder contained therein achieves a particle “temperature” sufficient such that the powder behaves as an ergodic system. The visco-elastic properties of the ergodic powder can be reproducibly measured in accordance with known methodology used in molecular fluids, where the powder “temperature” can be varied by changing the vibration frequency or amplitude.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.