Method and apparatus for measuring the density of fluids
US4956793A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N25/18
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The specific gravity, l, of a fluid of interest is determined based on thermal conductivity, k, and specific heat, c.sub.p, of the fluid of interest. An embodiment uses proximately positioned resistive heater and thermal sensor elements coupled by the fluid of interest. Pulses of electrical energy are applied to the heater of a level and duration such that both a transient change and a substantially steady-state temperature occur in the sensor. The k of the fluid of interest is determined based upon sensor output at steady-state elevated temperature, c.sub.p of the fluid of interest is determined based upon the rate of change of sensor output during a time interval of transient temperature change in the sensor, and l is determined from k and c.sub.p.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.