An apparatus for measuring a viscosity of a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a Parylene coated quartz tuning fork for immersion in the fluid and an electronic circuit to excite a vibration of the Parylene coated quartz tuning fork and measure one or more vibrational parameters of the Parylene coated quartz tuning fork. A computer processor is configured to determine a non-Newtonian viscosity from the vibration of the Parylene coated quartz tuning fork based, at least in part, on a Stokes flow hydrodynamic model. The computer processor is coupled to a memory for storing a calibration curve to determine a Newtonian viscosity of the fluid from the non-Newtonian viscosity of the fluid.

The present invention provides a method of determining testing parameters of a melt flow rate testing apparatus, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a reference input indicative of a selection of a melt flow rate testing procedure from a predetermined list of melt flow rate testing procedures; (ii) providing a characteristic input indicative of a load mass and a testing temperature for melt flow rate testing; (iii) providing a sample input indicative of an estimated value of the melt flow rate of the sample; and (iv) determining at least one characteristic testing parameter for the melt flow rate testing apparatus, utilising a representative value generated from a predetermined combination of any one of said reference input, said characteristic input and said sample input.

An example device for selection of one or more masses among a plurality of masses arranged and removably fixed to a guide of a main frame of a test machine for determining material properties of a material during a test, the selected mass or masses allowing to push an effector for performing the test, the device comprising: a means for selecting at least one mass among said plurality of masses, comprising a means to determine which mass or masses are selected, said means to determine being configured to send a signal indicative of which mass or masses are selected to a computing unit for controlling a test process using the selected mass or masses.

An automatically-cleanable thickening performance evaluation instrument for drilling LCMs includes a cleaning device, a kettle body, a thickening motor, a heating component, a test ending component, a top cover, and a bottom cover, where upper and lower ends of the kettle body are both opened; the kettle body is arranged in a third bearing inner race, a third bearing outer race is connected to a first limb, and the first limb is configured to limit a position of the kettle body; and the kettle body is detachably connected to the thickening motor and driven by the thickening motor to rotate. The instrument can realize electric heating and air pressurization to simulate the underground environment, and the kettle body can be completely sealed, such that a measured thickening time is close to an actual thickening time. Moreover, the instrument can be automatically cleaned at the end of a test.

A rheology system includes a rheometer including a lower plate and an upper plate, a manipulator including an arm, a loading end effector, a cleaning end effector, and a controller communicatively coupled to the rheometer and the manipulator, the controller including a processor and a computer readable and executable instruction set, which when executed, causes the processor to direct the manipulator to couple the loading end effector to the arm, direct the manipulator engage a specimen with the loading end effector, direct the manipulator to position the specimen on the lower plate of the rheometer, direct the upper plate to engage the specimen between the upper plate and the lower plate, direct the manipulator to couple the cleaning end effector to the arm, and direct the manipulator to engage the lower plate with the cleaning end effector.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting for gravitational force variation in measuring the melt flow index of a polymer at a location. For example, ample, some embodiments may involve determining a value representing an extent to which gravitational force at the location varies from standard gravity, such as based at least in part upon the latitude of the location. The value may be used in correcting the melt flow index measured for the polymer using a plastometer at the location.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting for gravitational force variation in measuring the melt flow index of a polymer at a location. For example, some embodiments may involve determining a value representing an extent to which gravitational force at the location varies from standard gravity, such as based at least in part upon the latitude of the location. The value may be used in correcting the melt flow index measured for the polymer using a plastometer at the location.

A viscosity measurement unit includes a first stage having a first surface, a second stage having a second surface and configured to rotate with the second surface which is opposed and in proximity to the first surface, a motor including a motor body and a shaft that is an output shaft of the motor body and configured to rotate synchronously with the second stage, a fixed member arranged to rotatably support the shaft and the motor body, and a strain gauge unit fixed to the fixed member and configured to be biased by a contact of the motor body when the motor body rotates in a first direction with respect to the fixed member.

A viscometer includes first and second capillaries and a valve. In a first state, the valve connects the second capillary to a first fluid injector via the first capillary. In a second state, the valve connects the second capillary to a second fluid injector. A controller receives data indicative of respective pressure drops within the first and second capillaries, and generates a pressure ratio signal therefrom. The controller analyzes the pressure ratio signal to determine an end of a transition between a first equilibrium when the valve is in the first state, and a second equilibrium when the valve is in the second state. The controller defines a measurement window based on the transition end, and therein determines a viscosity of the second fluid based on the pressure ratio signal. The first fluid is a solvent, and the second fluid is a solution of a same solvent and a solute.

A method for fills and/or cleans the measurement cell of a measuring instrument, namely a viscometer and/or density measuring instrument, in particular of a rotational viscometer. A sample is introduced via a sample line into the measurement cell by a pump, and wherein a dynamic viscosity and/or density of the sample is determined in the measurement cell. A funnel-shaped, reversibly openable receiving container, in particular a filling funnel, for the sample, is arranged in the sample line, between the pump and the measurement cell. The receiving container is opened and the sample is introduced into the receiving container. The receiving container is connected to the pump via a pressure line in such a way that, when pressure is applied into the receiving container, a proportion of the sample is dispensed out of the receiving container and introduced into the measurement cell.