Measuring and testing – Liquid analysis or analysis of the suspension of solids in a... – Viscosity
Patent
1983-03-15
1985-11-12
Levy, Stewart J.
Measuring and testing
Liquid analysis or analysis of the suspension of solids in a...
Viscosity
73 54, G01N 1116
Patent
active
045520127
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rheometer for analyzing the elastic and/or viscous characteristics of gels and liquid systems.
2. The Prior Art
It is frequently desired to be able continuously to check the elastic and/or viscous characteristics of a gel or liquid system, for example in the production of cheese where the coagulation of the curd must be interrupted at the correct time to ensure a satisfactory final result. At present, these coagulation checks are made by an expect, the cheese-maker, who at regular intervals takes samples of the curd and, by his expert knowledge, decides when coagulation is to be interrupted. It is obvious that such assessment requires a great deal of experience and that, nevertheless, errors may occur, for instance if the checks are not made continuously. In view hereof, there has been a long-felt demand in this particular field for some type of measuring and monitoring device which indicates when coagulation should be interrupted. Naturally, similar requirements exist in other technical fields, and the need for a simple and inexpensive device for determining the elastic and/or viscous characteristics of a gel or a liquid system is considerable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a device for the purpose here concerned comprises a movable member, a surface portion of which is in contact with the gel or the liquid system underneath the surface thereof, a device for displacing said member substantially perpendicular to said surface against the action of the gel or the liquid system, and means for measuring the resistance to such displacement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The invention will now be described in greater detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment and in which
FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a rheometer according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows the interior of the rheometer; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a modified embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
According to FIG. 1 the rheometer of the present invention comprises a cup-shaped casing 10 having a flange 11 around its periphery adjacent the open end of the cup. The flange 11 has a number of equidistantly spaced apart apertures for accommodating screws 12, as will be described in greater detail in the following. A holder 13 in the form of a planar plate is so mounted in the cup 10, for instance by means of screws, that it extends in parallel with the bottom of the casing 10. The open end of the casing 10 is closed by means of a diaphragm 14, the peripheral portion 15 of which is clamped between the outwardly facing side of the flange 11 and a clamping ring 16 by means of the screws 12 engaging with threaded bores in the ring 16. The diaphragm which is made of, for example, textile-reinforced nitrile rubber, is movably connected with the open end of the casing 10 approximately in the manner of a loudspeaker cone, as shown at 17.
For reinforcing purposes, the diaphragm 14 is provided on its inner side with a plate 18 extending over the major part of the area of the diaphragm 14. The reinforcing plate 18 may be made of plastics or metal and is connected with the diaphragm in some suitable manner. As will appear from FIG. 2, a tension spring 19 is connected to the centre of the diaphragm 14 and the reinforcing plate 18, respectively. The opposite end of the spring is connected to the holder plate 13. On either side of the said centre point, there is mounted in the holder plate 13 a knife-edge arrangement 20 with its edge 21 facing the diaphragm and the plate 18. The knife edges 21 extend along the diameter of the diaphragm. The inner side of the reinforcing plate 18 of the diaphragm 14 is held in engagement with the knife edges 21 by the spring 19. By being suspended and supported in this manner, the diaphragm 14 is capable of rocking on the knife edges 21.
Beneath the above-mentioned centre, there is secured to the holder plate 13 a coil 22 having an armatur
REFERENCES:
patent: 1651596 (1927-12-01), Hall et al.
patent: 3903732 (1975-09-01), Rork et al.
patent: 4117716 (1978-10-01), Simon
patent: 4166381 (1979-09-01), Woo
patent: 4341111 (1980-03-01), Husar
J. G. Woodward, Vibrating Plate, RCA, 2-1952.
Levy Stewart J.
Mattenson Charles R.
Williams Hezron E.
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