The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for determining the density of insulation (e.g., in a cavity). For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a device that includes a probe, an actuator, a sensor, and a control system. The control system is configured to cause the actuator to oscillate the probe. The sensor is configured to generate a signal that represents the density of insulation. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for determining the density of insulation. The method includes placing a probe into contact with the insulation, causing, via an actuator, the probe to oscillate while in contact with the insulation, and generating, via a sensor, a signal that represents the density of insulation.

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for determining the density of insulation (e.g., in a cavity). For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a device that includes a probe, an actuator, a sensor, and a control system. The control system is configured to cause the actuator to oscillate the probe. The sensor is configured to generate a signal that represents the density of insulation. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for determining the density of insulation. The method includes placing a probe into contact with the insulation, causing, via an actuator, the probe to oscillate while in contact with the insulation, and generating, via a sensor, a signal that represents the density of insulation.

The method for determining density of fresh concrete inside a drum of a mixer truck involves a probe mounted inside the drum, extending in a radial orientation of the drum and being moved circumferentially as the drum rotates. The method has: receiving first and second pressure values indicative of normal pressures exerted on the probe by the fresh concrete at corresponding and different first and second circumferential positions of the drum during rotation of the drum; and determining a density value of the fresh concrete based on the volume of the probe and on a difference between the first and second pressure values.

The method for determining density of fresh concrete inside a drum of a mixer truck involves a probe mounted inside the drum, extending in a radial orientation of the drum and being moved circumferentially as the drum rotates. The method has: receiving first and second pressure values indicative of normal pressures exerted on the probe by the fresh concrete at corresponding and different first and second circumferential positions of the drum during rotation of the drum; and determining a density value of the fresh concrete based on the volume of the probe and on a difference between the first and second pressure values.

A method is provided for monitoring a flow behavior of mixed components without requiring additional instrumentation or sampling. The method is carried out by determining ratios of the power required to rotate a mixing impeller at different rotational speeds and then comparing the ratios. Characteristics about the mixed components are determined based on differences between the ratios.

A resonant sensor 1908 is used to determine fluid properties, the resonant sensor 1908 comprising a resonator 108 defining a lengthwise axis and having a central vibrational node (140), and a pair of opposed lengthwise end-portions (125); a support structure including a frame (115) and a set of flexible supports (110) extending from the frame to the central vibrational node and thereby supporting the resonator at the lengthwise midpoint; a driving and sensing assembly, adapted to drive the resonator to resonant motion and to sense resultant motion of the resonator and producing a motion sensed signal, responsive thereto; and a control and signal processing network adapted to control the driving and sensing assembly to drive the lengthwise end-portions in rotation about the lengthwise axis, in opposed rotational directions, and responsive to the motion sensed signal to determine at least one fluid property of a fluid under test in response to the motion sensed signal.

A resonant sensor 1908 is used to determine fluid properties, the resonant sensor 1908 comprising a resonator 108 defining a lengthwise axis and having a central vibrational node (140), and a pair of opposed lengthwise end-portions (125); a support structure including a frame (115) and a set of flexible supports (110) extending from the frame to the central vibrational node and thereby supporting the resonator at the lengthwise midpoint; a driving and sensing assembly, adapted to drive the resonator to resonant motion and to sense resultant motion of the resonator and producing a motion sensed signal, responsive thereto; and a control and signal processing network adapted to control the driving and sensing assembly to drive the lengthwise end-portions in rotation about the lengthwise axis, in opposed rotational directions, and responsive to the motion sensed signal to determine at least one fluid property of a fluid under test in response to the motion sensed signal.

Some aspects of what is described here relate to analyzing a well cement slurry. In some aspects, a well cement slurry is mixed in a mixer under a plurality of conditions. The plurality of conditions correspond to a plurality of distinct Reynolds number values for the well cement slurry in the mixer. Power number values associated with mixing the well cement slurry in the mixer under the plurality of conditions are identified. Each power number value is based on an amount of energy used to mix the well cement slurry under a respective one of the plurality of conditions. Values for parameters of a functional relationship between power number and Reynolds number are identified based on the power number values and the Reynolds number values for the plurality of conditions.

Some aspects of what is described here relate to analyzing a well cement slurry. In some aspects, a well cement slurry is mixed in a mixer under a plurality of conditions. The plurality of conditions correspond to a plurality of distinct Reynolds number values for the well cement slurry in the mixer. Power number values associated with mixing the well cement slurry in the mixer under the plurality of conditions are identified. Each power number value is based on an amount of energy used to mix the well cement slurry under a respective one of the plurality of conditions. Values for parameters of a functional relationship between power number and Reynolds number are identified based on the power number values and the Reynolds number values for the plurality of conditions.

A method to measure the vibrational characteristics of an oscillating system (1) uses a control system (6, 7a, 7b, 7c). The oscillating system comprises a resonator, at least one vibration exciter and at least one sensor. The resonator is excited by the vibration exciter, and the motion of the resonator is measured by the sensor. The control system uses the sensor to control the motion of the resonator by the vibration exciter. The motion of the resonator is a superposition of at least two harmonic motions, and the control system comprises at least two subcontrollers (7a, 7b, 7c). Each harmonic motion is controlled independently by one of the subcontrollers. The harmonic motions are controlled by the subcontrollers simultaneously. A corresponding device is also disclosed.