Viscosity measurement method and apparatus

Abstract

To provide a viscosity measurement method capable of coping with fluid in a wide viscosity range, and to provide a device for the method.SOLUTION: Pressure needs to be applied to allow fluid having fixed viscosity to flow into a flow path against viscosity. An internal pressure is generated in the flow path by application of the pressure. By detecting deformation of the flow path by the internal pressure as strain or the like of a wall within the flow path, viscosity of the fluid can be obtained. As a viscosity measuring device, a flow path in which fluid for which viscosity should be measured flows, means for measuring the amount of deformation generated in an inner wall of the flow path by allowing fluid to flow, and means for obtaining viscosity of fluid on the basis of the measured amount of deformation are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Claims

[Claim 1] The fluid whose viscosity is to be measured is flowed into the channel, The elongation of the inner wall of the flow path, which occurs in a direction along the surface of the inner wall of the flow path when the fluid is flowed through it, is measured. The viscosity of the fluid is determined based on the measured elongation. Viscosity measurement method. [Claim 2] The viscosity measurement method according to claim 1, wherein the elongation is measured as strain. [Claim 3] The viscosity measurement method according to claim 2, wherein the strain is a strain occurring on or within the inner wall. [Claim 4] The viscosity measurement method according to claim 3, wherein the strain is the strain in a direction along the surface of the inner wall at the position where the strain is measured. [Claim 5] The viscosity measurement method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the strain is the strain in the cross-section of the flow path due to a plane intersecting the flow path. [Claim 6] By flowing the fluid, the shape of the cross-section of the flow path is deformed by the surface intersecting the flow path, The viscosity measurement method according to claim 2, wherein the strain is the strain caused by the displacement of the sides of the cross-sectional shape due to the deformation, which increases the length of the sides. [Claim 7] The viscosity measurement method according to claim 6, wherein the magnitude of the strain is proportional to the square of the amount of displacement. [Claim 8] Furthermore, the viscosity measurement method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relationship between the amount of elongation and the absolute value of viscosity is calibrated by measuring the amount of elongation when a fluid of known viscosity is flowed through the channel. [Claim 9] The viscosity measurement method according to claim 8, wherein the flow rate of the known fluid as it flows through the channel is the same as the flow rate of the fluid whose viscosity is to be measured as it flows through the channel. [Claim 10] The flow path through which the fluid whose viscosity should be measured flows, Means for measuring the elongation of the inner wall of the flow path that occurs in a direction along the surface of the inner wall of the flow path as a result of flowing the fluid, A means for determining the viscosity of the fluid based on the measured elongation, according to the viscosity measurement method described in claim 1. A viscosity measuring device having the following features. [Claim 11] The viscosity measuring device according to claim 10, wherein the means for measuring the elongation is a strain gauge provided on or in the inner wall of the flow path. [Claim 12] The viscosity measuring device according to claim 11, wherein the viscosity measuring device measures the viscosity of both gases and liquids.

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