Fluid monitoring

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12298293-B2
Application number	US-202418732047-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 3, 2024
Priority date	Jun 10, 2020
Publication date	May 13, 2025
Grant date	May 13, 2025

Abstract

Methods of evaluating mixing are disclosed relating to the preparation and mixing of materials. Materials prepared may transition from heterogeneous mixtures to homogenous mixtures while the current of a motor is monitored. Quantities relating to the rate of change of power or the rate of change of entropy may be calculated in evaluating the sufficiency of mixing. Methods of evaluating lubricant degradation are also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of evaluating mixing comprising:
a. combining a first ingredient with a second ingredient in a mixing vessel thereby creating a first mixture wherein the first mixture is initially a non-homogenous mixture;
b. operating a motor to work the first mixture;
c. measuring a first current to the motor;
d. recording a first current data set representing values of the first current over time;
e. calculating a rate variable using the first current dataset wherein the rate variable has a first dimensional form selected from:

mass
*

length
2

time
4

⁢

and
⁢

mass
*

length
2

Temperature
*

time
4

;

and
f. taking an action selected from turning off the motor and emptying a portion of the mixing vessel after the rate variable reaches a first threshold value;
g. wherein the first mixture is a food having increased homogeneity after the rate variable reaches the first threshold value as compared to the initially non-homogenous mixture.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the calculating of the rate variable occurs according to the formula

P

.

=

dP
dt

=

V
⁢

d
[

(

I
⁡
(
t
)

-

I
0

)

⁢

cos
⁢

ϕ
⁡
(
t
)

]

dt

wherein V is voltage, I(t) is time dependent current, I 0 is the current without ingredients, and ϕ(t) is a time dependent phase angle between the voltage and current.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the calculating the rate variable occurs according to the formula

S

˙

=

dS
dt

=

V
⁢

d
[

I
⁡
(
t
)

-

I
0

)

⁢

cos
⁢

ϕ
⁡
(
t
)

T
⁡
(
t
)

]

dt

wherein V is voltage, I(t) is time dependent current, I 0 is the current without ingredients, ϕ(t) is a time dependent phase angle between the voltage and current, and T(t) is time dependent temperature.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of evaluating which portion of the first current is attributable to working the first mixture.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a temperature sensing instrument measures a temperature of the first mixture and a second data set representing the temperature of the first mixture is recorded.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor works the first mixture using an implement.

7. A method of evaluating mixing comprising:
a. combining a first constituent with a second constituent in a mixing vessel thereby creating a first mixture wherein the first mixture is initially a non-homogenous mixture;
b. operating a motor to work the first mixture;
c. measuring a first current to the motor;
d. recording a first current data set representing values of the first current over time;
e. calculating a rate variable using the first current dataset wherein the rate variable has a first dimensional form selected from:

mass
*

length
2

time
4

⁢

and
⁢

mass
*

length
2

Temperature
*

time
4

;

Assignees

• Khonsari Michael M
• Koottaparambil Lijesh
• Univ Louisiana State

Inventors

• Khonsari Michael M
• Koottaparambil Lijesh

Classifications

• G01N33/30

  for lubricating properties · CPC title

• F16N29/00

  Special means in lubricating arrangements or systems providing for the indication or detection of undesired conditions; Use of devices responsive to conditions in lubricating arrangements or systems · CPC title

• F16N2200/00

  Condition of lubricant · CPC title

• G01N33/2888 Primary

  Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration (lubricating properties G01N33/30) · CPC title