A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING FLUID DENSITY
First Claim
1. A method of determining a density of a fluid, the method including the steps of:
- introducing the fluid into an emitter of an electrospraying apparatus;
applying a voltage between the emitter and a counter-electrode spaced apart from the emitter for a number of intermittent time periods, wherein the duration of at least some of the time periods during which the voltage is applied progressively decreases;
measuring current between the emitter and the counter-electrode for each time period;
identifying and recording a shortest time period for which a current reading between the emitter and counter-electrode is obtained; and
calculating the density of the fluid as a function of the shortest time period.
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Abstract
A method and system for determining a density of a fluid is provided. The method is carried out using an electrospraying apparatus connected in the system. At a first step fluid is introduced into an emitter of the electrospraying apparatus. A voltage is applied between the emitter and a counter-electrode spaced apart from the emitter for a number of intermittent time periods, wherein the duration of at least some of the time periods during which the voltage is applied progressively decreases. The current between the emitter and the counter-electrode is measured for each time period during which a voltage is applied and the shortest time period for which a current reading is obtained is recorded. The shortest time period is used to calculate the density of the fluid in the emitter.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of determining a density of a fluid, the method including the steps of:
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introducing the fluid into an emitter of an electrospraying apparatus; applying a voltage between the emitter and a counter-electrode spaced apart from the emitter for a number of intermittent time periods, wherein the duration of at least some of the time periods during which the voltage is applied progressively decreases; measuring current between the emitter and the counter-electrode for each time period; identifying and recording a shortest time period for which a current reading between the emitter and counter-electrode is obtained; and calculating the density of the fluid as a function of the shortest time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. A system for measuring a density of a fluid comprising an electrospraying apparatus having an emitter through which the fluid is drawn, at least one counter-electrode spaced apart from the emitter, and a voltage source configured to apply a voltage between the emitter and the counter-electrode to create an electrospray of the fluid from the emitter, a device for measuring the voltage applied between the emitter and the counter-electrode and a device for measuring the current flowing in the system as a result of electrospray of the fluid between the emitter and the counter-electrode, wherein a processing module in communication with at least the voltage source, the voltage measuring device and the current measuring device, is configured to operate the voltage source to apply a voltage between the emitter and the counter electrode for a number of intermittent time periods, wherein the duration of at least some of the time periods during which the voltage is applied is progressively decreased, and wherein the processing module is further configured to read the current measuring device, and to record the shortest time period for which a current reading is obtained in the system.
Specification