An exemplary compounding method of controlling a compounding device to prepare an admixture of at least two distinct material sources can include examining material source solutions for incompatibility of the ingredients and operating a first and a second pump to prevent one of the incompatible source solutions from entering a common flow path. The processing method can detect degradation of a fluid line by evaluating one or more of calibration error rate data, cumulative volumetric flow data, or cumulative pump operation data. The processing method can also selectively transfer a first group of source solutions using the first pump, receiving pump data from one or more sensors that sense actions of the pumps, applying fluid correction factors and calculating discrete pump movements, the pump movements being indicative of an amount of source solution displacement by a pump, and operating the pumps to selectively dispense the source solution amounts according to a preparation order.

A chemical injection unit consisting of one or more injection loops that uses a Venturi injector and motorized valve with a control system to isolate chemicals from water until operating conditions are suitable to carry the chemical and water mixture down the main flow pipe. The invention adjusts chemical injection rate to maintain desirable operational properties, including chemical injection rate, chemical concentration, or fluid viscosity. Accurate and real-time injection of chemicals is beneficial for safety as well as economics of the drilling operation in terms of reduced drilling time, efficient use of chemicals, and minimal variation in processing conditions.

A dilution apparatus (100) for diluting a fluidic sample in accordance with a specifiable dilution ratio, wherein the dilution apparatus (100) comprises a dilution fluid supply device (102) configured for supplying a dilution fluid at a first quantity per time, a transport fluid supply device (104) configured for supplying a transport fluid at a second quantity per time, a first fluid accommodation unit (106) configured for accommodating a first fluid volume, a second fluid accommodation unit (108) configured for accommodating a second fluid volume, and a control device (110, 112) configured for controlling the flow of the dilution fluid, the transport fluid and the fluidic sample so that in a first operation mode, the fluidic sample, being accommodated in the first fluid accommodation unit (106), is forced to flow to the second fluid accommodation unit (108) while being diluted by being mixed with dilution fluid, and in a second operation mode, the mixture of dilution fluid and fluidic sample, being accommodated in the second fluid accommodation unit (108), is forced to flow from the second fluid accommodation unit (108) to the first fluid accommodation unit (106) while being further diluted by being mixed with further dilution fluid.

A portable custom cosmetic pigment dispenser creates a cosmetic pigment mixture that closely matches a person's skin color. The device is constructed with a color sensor at one end that scans the skin and records color values in a color space. A processor converts the color values into a colorspace. In one example, a user is presented with a sample of the color as determined by the processor and has an opportunity to accept or modify the color. Specific quantities of colored pigment are selected based on the corresponding weightings in the color space.

Ingredient dispensing systems and methods in a fluid mixture system using a monitored chamber pressure are disclosed. One system includes a chamber, an inlet to the chamber, a set of ingredient reservoirs, in the chamber, storing a respective set of ingredients and sealed by a respective set of valve, a pressure source, and a controller. The system is programmed to set a pressure of the chamber using the pressure source and the inlet to the chamber. The system is also programmed to dispense, using the pressure, at least two ingredients from the respective set of ingredients by actuating at least two valves from the respective set of valves.

A fuel additive cartridge for use with a dimethyl-ether fuel system of a vehicle includes a reservoir for storing and dispensing a liquid fuel additive into a flow of fuel in a fill conduit during refueling. The cartridge also includes a dispenser actuated by the fuel flow to selectively dispense the liquid fuel additive from the reservoir. The fuel additive cartridge is intended to attach to a dimethyl-ether fuel system at a location between a fueling inlet connector and a storage tank to facilitate a metered mixing of liquid fuel additive from the cartridge and dimethyl-ether during the re-fueling of the storage tank.

A dynamic mixer comprises a mixing chamber having a plurality of inlets and an outlet as well as a mixing element rotatably arranged in the mixing chamber. The mixing takes place by a to and fro movement of the mixing element.

A beverage machine has a gas dissolution assembly that includes a pressure vessel having an open end and a top cap that couples with the open end of the pressure vessel. The top cap has a gas inlet through which a gas to be infused into the beverage flows. A clamping mechanism clamps the top cap onto the open end of the pressure vessel. A gas infusing device that is coupled to the gas inlet has a porous element that infuses the gas into the beverage.

A dispensing device, comprising a plurality of microfluidic pumps, microfluidic valves, and a microfluidic mixer chip, for receiving and mixing microfluidic amounts of a plurality of fluids having differing viscosities, is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of pathways for moving fluids from associated reservoirs to the microfluidic mixer chip. A mix controller controls the microfluidic pumps and valves so that the fluids, having different viscosities, can be accurately mixed at specified microfluidic amounts or volumes according to a specified microfluidic recipe, and the microfluidic mixture dispensed from the device. The device can be in communication with a software application implemented on a mobile compute device, such as a smartphone, and receive instructions for implementing the specified microfluidic recipe from the software application such that the operation of device components is at the direction of the software application executed on the mobile compute device.

A control mechanism locks open a spring-loaded valve and automatically releases the spring-loaded valve to close upon a predetermined lesser weight load being applied. The spring-loaded valve includes a flow valve, a valve lever that pivots between open and closed positions, and a valve spring that biases the valve lever to the closed position. The control mechanism includes a pivotal release lever having an engagement arm and an opposite load arm, and a release spring that biases the release lever from a blocking position with the engagement arm retaining the valve lever in its open position to a release position with the valve lever free to pivot past the engagement arm and to the closed position under the valve spring force. The load arm includes an additive-container support for a load of an additive fluid to be mixed with a carrier fluid whose flow is controlled by the valve.