Rheometrics, Inc.

Nycoil Corporation

Nycoil Company

Rheometric Scientific, Inc.

Paul G Mode

Ronald F Garritano

Gerald G Fuller

On-line rheological measurements are made on a process flowing material, such as a polymer melt, utilizing a rheometer of the type in which an inlet pump delivers a relatively large volumetric flow of diverted process material from a process main stream to an inlet site located in very close proximity to the entrance of a capillary passage, and a metering pump draws a smaller portion of the volumetric flow of the diverted material from the inlet site through the capillary passage for return to the process main stream. The viscosity of the diverted material is measured as a function of the rate of flow of the material through the capillary passage and the pressure drop between spaced apart locations along the capillary passage. A parallel flow passage has a volumetric flow capacity considerably greater than the volumetric flow capacity of the capillary passage, an inlet placed at the inlet site, in very close proximity with the entrance of the capillary passage, and an outlet placed downstream of the metering pump. A parallel flow pump in the parallel flow passage moves the balance of the volumetric flow of diverted material from the inlet site for return to the process main stream to assure a continuous supply of fresh diverted material at the entrance to the capillary passage.

On-line rheological measurement for process control

On-line rheological measurements are made utilizing a rheometer of the type in which a first metering pump delivers diverted melt from a process main stream to a capillary passage and a second metering pump returns the diverted melt from the capillary passage to the process main stream and the viscosity of the diverted melt is measured by controlling the rate of flow of the melt through the capillary passage to maintain constant the pressure drop between spaced apart locations along the capillary passage and measuring the temperature of the melt in the capillary passage. The measurements may be made while controlling the speed of the second metering pump independent of the speed of the first metering pump to maintain the pressure at the exit of the capillary passage essentially constant. A parallel flow passage has an inlet placed between the first metering pump and the entrance to the capillary passage, in close juxtaposition with the entrance and an outlet placed between the exit from the capillary passage and the second metering pump, and a valve in the parallel flow passage is operated so that diverted melt selectively is passed through the parallel flow passage to attain a relatively quick response and relatively short residence time of the diverted melt in the rheometer.

On-line rheological measurements for process control

Apparatus and method for measuring the shear viscosity of a fluid urges sample fluid through a gap between a sleeve having an axial passage and a pin extending axially into the passage in the sleeve to subject the sample fluid to shear while measuring the axial force tending to move the pin and the sleeve axially away from one another, the axial force being indicative of the shear viscosity of the sample fluid.

Measuring shear viscosity of fluids

An improved releasable coupling device for a tube of the type which includes a fitting having a bore communicable with a source of fluid and an opening into the bore through which the tube is to be inserted, a retaining ring in the opening having a plurality of axially extending inwardly biased fingers adapted to engage the tube when the tube is inserted into the fitting towards the bore, and an unlocking collar for forcing the plurality of fingers radially outward to cause disengagement of the fingers from the tube. An annular sealing member is positioned in the opening axially between the fingers and the end of the opening adjacent the bore for engaging the tube and the wall of the opening to seal the tube in the fitting when the tube is inserted therethrough, and which is in engagement with the fingers. The annular sealing member is adapted to exert an axially directed force towards the fingers when subjected to the pressure of the fluid communicating with the bore. The fingers include an inclined surface which is engagable by the annular sealing member for increasing the inward biasing force on the fingers, thereby minimizing the possibility of accidental release of the gripping force applied by the fingers. Preferably, each of the fingers has a gripping portion comprised of opposing substantially planar surfaces which minimize the possibility of scratching or marring the tube during insertion of the tube. Also, the unlocking collar is provided with a continuous bead around the inside circumference thereof for engaging the tube when the tube is inserted into the opening, the bead being axially located in close proximity to the annular sealing member.

Releasable coupling device

An improved releasable coupling device for a tube is disclosed. The coupling device comprises a fitting having a bore therein and an opening into the bore through which the tube is to be inserted, a retaining ring disposed in the opening and having a plurality of axially extending inwardly biased fingers, and an unlocking collar positioned inside of the retaining ring in the opening. The inwardly biased fingers of the retaining ring each have a gripping portion adapted to engage the tube when the tube is inserted into the fitting towards the bore so that the tube is restrained against axial movement out of the fitting. The unlocking collar is axially movable relative to the retaining ring for direct engagement with the fingers upon axial movement towards the fingers to force the fingers radially outward to cause disengagement of the gripping portions from the tube. The unlocking collar includes an actuating surface which is accessible from outside of the opening for applying force to move the unlocking collar axially. Sealing means are also provided for sealing the tube in the fitting, the sealing means being positioned axially between the gripping portions of the fingers and the end of the opening adjacent the exterior of the fitting. There is also disclosed an improved retaining ring for the coupling device and a method of manufacturing same.

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Westfield, NJ, United States of America

Paul G Mode