The present invention provides an apparatus for use in viscoelastic analysis, for example in coagulation testing of sample liquids, such as blood and/or its elements. In the apparatus for use in viscoelastic analysis, the rotating means are provided below the cup, pin and cup receiving element. The present invention further provides capacitive detection means and temperature control devices, which may be used in the apparatus for use in viscoelastic analysis. The present invention further provides a method of performing viscoelastic analysis, e.g. coagulation analysis, on a sample using the devices and apparatuses.

A viscometer includes a viscosity sensor with a liquid flow channel and at least two pressure sensors positioned along the liquid flow channel and configured to measure a pressure drop of a liquid flowing through the liquid flow channel, and a dispensing mechanism configured to cause dispensing of a liquid from the syringe to the viscosity sensor at a known flow rate. The dispensing mechanism and the viscosity sensor are configured to couple with a syringe configured to contain a liquid. The viscometer further includes an electronic controller configured to control operations of the dispensing mechanism and receive and process data from the viscosity sensor. The viscometer includes a sample loading interface, included in the syringe, through which the viscometer is configured to receive the liquid. The sample loading interface includes a selection valve coupled with, and located between, the viscosity sensor and the syringe.

Rheological measurement systems for use with systems including pressurized polymer melts and/or other viscous materials are described. In one embodiment, a rheometer is connected to an associated system with a bent, curved, or bendable tube to permit the rheometer to measure rheological properties in locations where the rheometer could not otherwise be located due to the presence of obstructions. Embodiments including rigid straight tubes for connecting a rheometer to an associated system are also described. In another embodiment, a flow-through rheometer is connected to an industry standard ?-20 thermowell aperture that is typically used for attaching temperature and pressure probes to a vessel containing a viscous material such as an extruder or injection molding system. The rheological measurement systems described can have improved tube resistance and thermal strength.

Systems and methods for assessing flowability of a multiphase fluid are provided. The method includes agitating a sample of the multiphase fluid contained in a container while controlling an agitation force applied to the sample; pouring the sample, after it has been agitated, into a viscosity cup having an opening at its upper end and an orifice at its lower end and thereby causing the multiphase fluid to flow out of the viscosity cup through the orifice; weighing an amount of the multiphase fluid that has flowed through the orifice and into a receiving vessel over a period of time; and assessing flowability of the multiphase fluid sample using the weight of the multiphase fluid sample in the receiving vessel as a function of time.

There is provided a wettability tester using a test material in a molten state, including: a chamber; a vacuum exhaust section exhausting the chamber; a gas supply section supplying a predetermined gas into the chamber; a sample stage disposed in the chamber; and an observation section observing morphological change associated with a temperature distribution in the test material tapped onto the sample stage, wherein the vacuum exhaust section and the gas supply section establish a vacuum atmosphere, an inert gas atmosphere, a reducing atmosphere or an air atmosphere in the chamber. It is preferable to include: a melting section disposed above the sample stage and transforming the test material into a molten state; and a tapping control section causing the test material transformed into a molten state by the melting section to be tapped.

A thermal control system is provided for monitoring and maintaining the temperature of a fluid sample within a cartridge having a plurality of wells. The thermal control system includes a heater block assembly having a cartridge slot sized and shaped to receive the cartridge within the heater block assembly. The heater block assembly is comprised of thermally conductive material. The thermal control system also includes a printed circuit board assembly coupled to the heater block assembly. The printed circuit board assembly is configured to generate heat and deliver the heat to the heater block assembly. The heater block assembly is configured to distribute the heat to the fluid sample located within the wells of the cartridge.

Rheological measurement systems for use with systems including pressurized polymer melts and/or other viscous materials are described. In one embodiment, a rheometer is connected to an associated system with a bent, curved, or bendable tube to permit the rheometer to measure rheological properties in locations where the rheometer could not otherwise be located due to the presence of obstructions. Embodiments including rigid straight tubes for connecting a rheometer to an associated system are also described. In another embodiment, a flow-through rheometer is connected to an industry standard ?-20 thermowell aperture that is typically used for attaching temperature and pressure probes to a vessel containing a viscous material such as an extruder or injection molding system.

A vibratory meter and method for verification of a vibratory sensor is provided. The method includes measuring a plurality of temperatures using a temperature sensor and measuring a plurality of sensor time periods using the sensor assembly. An average temperature and an average sensor time period are determined. The average sensor time period is compensated using the average temperature, generating a compensated sensor time period. The compensated sensor time period is compared to a reference sensor time period. The results are indicated. In further embodiments, a standard deviation of the plurality of temperatures or the plurality of sensor time periods are compared to a limit and sensor stability is indicated. In further embodiments, a difference between measured density and a reference density of a fluid is compensated using the altitude and the average temperature.

A rheometer for determining and/or monitoring the flow behavior of viscous fluids, in particular plastic melts and plastic solutions, includes a housing, in which at least one substantially rectilinear channel is formed between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the channel having a rectangular cross section, and a plurality of pressure measuring devices which are arranged along the channel, wherein the channel is provided over its length with a cyclically narrowing and widening cross section.

Rheometer systems and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example, a rheometer system includes a rheometer and a platform supporting the rheometer and movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The rheometer system includes a fluid receptacle defining an opening. The rheometer system includes a receptacle housing having a housing side and adapted to receive the fluid receptacle. The opening of the fluid receptacle facing the rheometer when the fluid receptacle is received by the receptacle housing. The rheometer system includes a thermoelectric device coupled adjacent to the housing side. The rheometer system includes a controller in communication with the thermoelectric device and adapted to control a temperature of the thermoelectric device.