Malvern Instruments Limited

Malvern Panalytical Inc.

Michael P Murphy

Mark Nicholls

Paul G Clarke

Viscometers and Viscometry methods are disclosed. In one general aspect a capillary bridge viscometer comprises an input port an output port a first capillary tubing arm in a first hydraulic path between the input port and a first differential detection point, a second capillary tubing arm in a second hydraulic path between the first differential detection point and the output port, a third capillary tubing arm in a third hydraulic path between the input port and a second differential detection point, a fourth capillary tubing arm in a fourth hydraulic path between the second differential detection point and the output port, an adjustable mechanical flow restrictor in one of the first, second, third, and fourth hydraulic paths, wherein the adjustable mechanical flow restrictor is operative to mechanically adjust a resistance to flow of a fluid while the fluid flows through the adjustable mechanical flow restrictor.

Balanced capillary bridge viscometry

A capillary bridge viscometer, comprises an input port (flow in) an output port (flow out) a first capillary tubing arm (R1) in a first hydraulic path between the input port and a first differential detection point (DP+), a second capillary tubing arm (R3) in a second hydraulic path between the first differential detection point (DP+) and the output port (flow out), a third capillary tubing arm (R2) in a third hydraulic path between the input port (flow in) and a second differential detection point (DP&#x2212;), a fourth capillary tubing arm (R4) in a fourth hydraulic path between the second differential detection point (DP&#x2212;) and the output port (flow out), an adjustable mechanical flow restrictor () in one of the first, second, third, and fourth hydraulic paths, wherein the adjustable mechanical flow restrictor () is operative to mechanically adjust a resistance to flow of a fluid while the fluid flows through the adjustable mechanical flow restrictor.

Balanced capillary bridge viscometer

A capillary bridge viscometer (), comprises at least two at least generally balanced bridge arm conduits (R, R) a bulkhead supporting structure () supporting removable connection portions for each of a plurality of the arms in a bridge configuration, a bridge supporting structure () supporting the bridge arm conduits (R,R) and supporting two further removable connection portions () for each of the bridge arm conduits, wherein each of the further removable connection portions () supported by the bridge supporting structure are positioned to mate with a corresponding one of the removable connection portions () supported by the bulkhead supporting structure concurrently to hydraulically connect the bridge arm conduits in the bridge configuration; and a balance detector having hydraulic connections for connection between first and second differential detection points in the bridge when the removable connection portions on the bridge are mated to corresponding ones of the removable connection portions supported by the bulkhead supporting structure.

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West Conroe, TX, United States of America

Michael P Murphy