The present invention relates to a device for determining the correct viscosity of a liquid, comprising member which either remains in or assumes a substantially upright or pre-determined position when placed in a fluid having at least the desired or specified viscosity and is unable to remain in a substantially upright or pre-determined position if a fluid has less than the desired or specified viscosity. The invention also relates to methods and uses of particular devices and is particularly suited to assisting patients suffering from dysphasia (or similar conditions) and who wish to thicken liquids to enable them to allow safe swallowing without aspiration to take place.

The invention comprises a method and an analysing system for determining a quality of a hydrocarbon fluid. In an example, the electrical resistivity of the fluid is determined by means of a sensor device. The electrical resistivity is determined over time under predetermined conditions, and a change in the electrical resistivity is monitored over time. A change in fluid visocity may also be determined and monitored over time. The analysing system provides information about an absolute value of a difference of a total base number and a total acid number based on the monitored resistivity change that relates to the quality of the fluid for providing an indication of the remaining useful life of the fluid. In an example, the information about the fluid may correlate to oxidation and/or nitration of the fluid when a change in fluid visocity is below a predetermined threshold.

The invention comprises a method and an analysing system for determining a quality of a hydrocarbon fluid. In an example, the electrical resistivity of the fluid is determined by means of a sensor device. The electrical resistivity is determined over time under predetermined conditions, and a change in the electrical resistivity is monitored over time. A change in fluid visocity may also be determined and monitored over time. The analysing system provides information about an absolute value of a difference of a total base number and a total acid number based on the monitored resistivity change that relates to the quality of the fluid for providing an indication of the remaining useful life of the fluid. In an example, the information about the fluid may correlate to oxidation and/or nitration of the fluid when a change in fluid visocity is below a predetermined threshold.

A system and method for acquiring and processing single point viscosity measurements in well operations to predict flow curves, e.g., for mud flow, for monitoring and predicting viscosity of fluid flow in order to identify abnormal conditions for taking remedial action.

A system and method for acquiring and processing single point viscosity measurements in well operations to predict flow curves, e.g., for mud flow, for monitoring and predicting viscosity of fluid flow in order to identify abnormal conditions for taking remedial action.

A sensing device for measuring physical properties of fluid medium uses fiber based cantilevers embedded in a cartridge. The cartridge may include: at least one fluidic channel, at least one light channel, at least one chamber located at the intersection of the fluidic channel and the light channel, and at least one light guide placed in the light channel. The light guide is at least partially contained in the respective chamber. The light guide has a movable section. The vibration of the movable section may be externally actuatable.

A sensing device for measuring physical properties of fluid medium uses fiber based cantilevers embedded in a cartridge. The cartridge may include: at least one fluidic channel, at least one light channel, at least one chamber located at the intersection of the fluidic channel and the light channel, and at least one light guide placed in the light channel. The light guide is at least partially contained in the respective chamber. The light guide has a movable section. The vibration of the movable section may be externally actuatable.

The rheological probe generally has a base; an inner member fixedly connected to the base and extending away from the base, the inner member having in succession a base portion proximate to the base, and a tip away from the base, and a deformable portion located between the base portion and the tip; a shell member covering the inner member, the shell member having a proximal portion being pivotally connected to the base for pivoting about a pivot axis when subjected to a resistance pressure imparted by a relative movement of the probe in a rheological substance, and a distal portion, the distal portion being engaged with the tip, the shell member having mating features being pivotally engaged with corresponding features of the base, the mating features being located on transversally opposite sides of the proximal portion; and a deformation sensor mounted to the deformable portion.

The rheological probe generally has a base; an inner member fixedly connected to the base and extending away from the base, the inner member having in succession a base portion proximate to the base, and a tip away from the base, and a deformable portion located between the base portion and the tip; a shell member covering the inner member, the shell member having a proximal portion being pivotally connected to the base for pivoting about a pivot axis when subjected to a resistance pressure imparted by a relative movement of the probe in a rheological substance, and a distal portion, the distal portion being engaged with the tip, the shell member having mating features being pivotally engaged with corresponding features of the base, the mating features being located on transversally opposite sides of the proximal portion; and a deformation sensor mounted to the deformable portion.

An apparatus is provided for measuring the spreadability of powders and granular materials for applications that require powders to be spread in a thin layer. The apparatus consists of a test surface or powder bed for receiving a material sample layer, one or more spreading devices that form a layer of material sample on the test surface or powder bed when there is relative motion between the test surface or powder bed and the spreading device, and one or more scraping blades that remove the layer of material sample created by the spreading device from the test surface or powder bed and move it to one or more measuring devices to determine the amount of material in the layer of the material sample. The amount and consistency over time of sample material removed by the scraping blade from the test surface or powder bed indicate the spreadability of the material sample.