Viscometer Capillary Angle Adjustment for Simultaneous Viscosity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing viscosity measurement methods require multiple measurements and precise horizontal alignment of capillaries, leading to increased error and inefficiency in determining both dynamic and kinematic viscosities.
Innovation Solution
A method where a capillary is arranged at a certain angle to the horizontal, allowing for simultaneous determination of kinematic and dynamic viscosities through a single measurement by plotting the volume flow decrease over pressure difference as a straight line, enabling the calculation of both viscosities from this line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the capillary is arranged horizontally for measuring dynamic viscosity, then the dynamic viscosity can be determined by adjusting pressure difference, but the apparatus must be set up horizontally with great precision to avoid measuring errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter from requiring precise horizontal alignment to allowing arbitrary angular positions. By measuring at multiple angles and using mathematical evaluation, the system determines dynamic viscosity without being sensitive to the absolute horizontal position, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic variation of the capillary angle during measurement. By rotating the capillary through different angles and measuring volume flow at each angle, the system gathers sufficient data to calculate dynamic viscosity while eliminating the need for precise horizontal alignment, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If two measuring operations are performed to determine kinematic viscosity, then both pressing and sucking measurements are required, but the measurement time doubles and total error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the determination of dynamic viscosity and kinematic viscosity into a single integrated measurement process. By measuring volume flow at multiple angles and using mathematical evaluation to extract both viscosity parameters from the same dataset, the system eliminates the need for separate measuring operations, thus reducing measurement time while maintaining determination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement method that simultaneously determines both dynamic viscosity and kinematic viscosity from a single set of measurements. The evaluation algorithm processes the angular-dependent volume flow data to extract multiple viscosity parameters, making the measurement system multi-functional and eliminating redundant measurement steps
3Ease of operation
If the capillary is positioned at an angle to the horizontal, then precise horizontal alignment is no longer required, but the volume flow is affected by both pressure difference and gravity components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback through mathematical evaluation that accounts for the angular position of the capillary. By measuring volume flow at known angles and using these measurements to calculate viscosity parameters through evaluated formulas that include angular components, the system compensates for the gravitational effect and determines accurate viscosity values without requiring precise horizontal alignment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces measurement time, increases accuracy, and eliminates the need for precise horizontal alignment, allowing for accurate determination of both viscosities with a single apparatus and measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring medium can leak from the first container via a capillary and via an outlet opening of the capillary
Implementation Method 2
the kinematic viscosity is determined from the value of the resulting straight line for the decrease in volume of the measuring medium per time unit at the pressure difference of Δp=0
Data Source
AI summary
In a measuring method for measuring the viscosity of an essentially non-compressible measuring medium (F) with a measuring device (1) comprising a first container (2), wherein the measuring medium (F) can leak from the first container (2) via a capillary (11) which, in an operating position, is arranged at a certain capillary angle (α) toward the horizontal, preferably perpendicularly, via an outlet opening (13) of the capillary (11), the measuring medium (F) is introduced, in a first process step, into the first container (2) filled with a compressible medium, in particular ambient air (L), whereupon the measuring medium (F) occupies a partial volume (VF0) of the total volume (V0) of the first container (2), wherein, in a second process step, a first pressure difference (Δp1), which is kept constant, and, respectively, a second pressure difference (Δp2), which is kept constant, or a pressure difference Δp(t)), which decreases over time, are adjusted between a pressure (p1 or, respectively, p2; p(t)) of the compressible medium (L) in the first container (2) and a pressure (p0) of the compressible medium (L) at the outlet opening (13) of the capillary (11), wherein, in a third process step, the decrease in volume (dVF(t)/dt) of the measuring medium (F) per time unit is determined for the first pressure difference (Δp1), which is kept constant, and the second pressure difference (Δp2), which is kept constant, or for a first pressure difference (Δp(t)), which decreases as a result of the decrease in volume (dVF(t)/dt) of the measuring medium (F), in order to determine at least two measurement points of the decrease in volume (dVF(t)/dt) of the measuring medium (F) per time unit over the pressure difference (Δp) as a resulting straight line (14) in a coordinate system, wherein, in a final process step, the kinematic viscosity (ν) is determined from the value (15) of the resulting straight line (14) for the decrease in volume (dVF(t)/dt) of the measuring medium (F) per time unit at the pressure difference of Δp=0 and the dynamic viscosity (η) of the measuring medium (F) is determined from the slope of the resulting straight line (14).