Viscometer and methods for using the same
First Claim
1. A viscometer, comprising:
- a dispensing mechanism configured to cause dispensing of a liquid at a known flow rate from a first syringe to 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 the liquid flowing through the liquid flow channel, including a first pressure sensor positioned to measure a pressure at a first location of the liquid flow channel and a second pressure sensor positioned to measure a pressure at a second location of the liquid flow channel, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to couple with the first syringe, and the first syringe is coupled with the viscosity sensor;
an electronic controller configured to control operations of the dispensing mechanism and receive and process data from the viscosity sensor; and
a sample loading interface through which the viscometer is configured to receive the liquid; and
an autosampler configured to move an injector syringe between a location for aspirating a test liquid into the injector syringe and a location for coupling the injector syringe with the sample loading interface to load the test liquid into the first syringe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
76 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A viscometer, comprising:
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a dispensing mechanism configured to cause dispensing of a liquid at a known flow rate from a first syringe to 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 the liquid flowing through the liquid flow channel, including a first pressure sensor positioned to measure a pressure at a first location of the liquid flow channel and a second pressure sensor positioned to measure a pressure at a second location of the liquid flow channel, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to couple with the first syringe, and the first syringe is coupled with the viscosity sensor; an electronic controller configured to control operations of the dispensing mechanism and receive and process data from the viscosity sensor; and a sample loading interface through which the viscometer is configured to receive the liquid; and an autosampler configured to move an injector syringe between a location for aspirating a test liquid into the injector syringe and a location for coupling the injector syringe with the sample loading interface to load the test liquid into the first syringe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for performing a viscosity measurement, the method comprising:
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moving, using an autosampler, an injector syringe between a first location for aspirating a liquid into the injector syringe and a second location for coupling the injector syringe with a sample loading interface to load the liquid into a first syringe, wherein the second location is distinct from the first location; coupling the injector syringe with a viscosity sensor of a viscometer through the first syringe, wherein the viscosity sensor is 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 the liquid flowing through the liquid flow channel, including a first pressure sensor positioned to measure a pressure at a first location of the liquid flow channel and a second pressure sensor positioned to measure a pressure at a second location of the liquid flow channel; receiving the liquid from the injector syringe into the first syringe through the sample loading interface; dispensing, with a dispensing mechanism coupled with the first syringe and an electronic controller, the liquid into the liquid flow channel of the viscosity sensor at a known rate; and measuring a viscosity of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification