Importance

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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.

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First Claim